Leading Seaman, Wallaroos’ and Brumby prop Lydia Ratu Kavoa has announced her retirement from rugby following the recent Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.
Kavoa, 31, retires from the sport having accumulated 14 Super Rugby Women’s caps for the Brumbies and 12 caps for the Wallaroos, where she featured in three of their four matches at the World Cup with an 85% tackle completion rate.
The 31-year-old reflected on her career in rugby with nothing but gratitude and looked ahead to the next chapter of her life.
“The past two years playing for the Wallaroos have been a journey for me. I made my debut as a backrower and then became a prop in 54 days, where I started at a record-breaking World Cup,” Kavoa said.
“Thank you to Jo Yapp and the coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to become a Wallaroo.
“It’s allowed me to grow as a rugby player, meet legends along the way, and create lifelong memories.
“It’s time for a new chapter in my life with new goals, more growth, memories, laughs, and smiles. I can’t wait to watch the team succeed in the future.”
Born in New Zealand to Tongan and Fijian parents, Kavoa and her family made the journey over to Australia in 1998 where they settled in Sydney.
After finishing school, she embarked on a career in the Navy, where a training instructor recognised her talent and recruited her into rugby.
Kavoa’s journey into rugby began in 2016 with the Navy at the 2016 Australian Defence Force Rugby Championship, where the then rookie won the Best Women’s Player Award before she was deployed to the Middle East from 2017-2018.
In 2019, she made her return to rugby playing for the Navy and her local club Uni-Norths Owls. Her hard work paid off as she was invited to trial for the Brumbies and was rewarded with a debut in 2023 against the Fijian Drua in Nadi in front of her family.
Since then, Kavoa has become mainstay in the side, where she played in the backrow before she switched positions to prop in 2025.
Kavoa’s performance and work ethic earned her a call-up to the Wallaroos, making her Test debut in 2024 against Fiji. It was Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp that encouraged Kavoa to switch positions before the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Kavoa was also involved in the ceremony ahead of our Anzac Weekend Round match against the Hurricanes at GIO Stadium this year, due to her role in the navy. She recited the Ode of Remembrance, something she regarded as a huge milestone in her career.
Brumbies Head of Women’s Rugby and Pathways, James Erwin, praised Kavoa’s contribution at the club.
“Lydia embodied every aspect of what we call a Brumbies’ athlete,” Erwin said.
“She is disciplined and driven in the work she does and is a great mentor and teacher to the younger athletes.
“If we were to mould the perfect type of athlete and human that we wanted to represent the Brumbies Women’s team, Lydia would be a big part of what that looks like.
“She is one of the happiest, positively infectious, and preparation-focused athletes we’ve had the pleasure of working with in our Super Rugby Women’s Program.”
Interim Wallaroos Head Coach Sam Needs also congratulated the forward on her career.
“Lydia is a great story of never giving up on your dream, and her journey is one to remember,” Needs said.
“To debut as a flanker in July 2024, then play her second Test as a loosehead prop in September is a testament to her determination and work ethic.
“Fast forward to England at the World Cup, she showed that anything is possible when she more than held her own against the world champions.”
