The Yarrows Taranaki Bulls have welcomed one of the province’s favourites home. With midfielder Seta Tamanivalu returning to the amber and black for the 2026 NPC season.
Tamanivalu returns to Taranaki after eight seasons away, bringing with him an outstanding professional career across France and Japan.
During his first stint with the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls between 2012 and 2018, Tamanivalu made 61 appearances and established himself as one of the competition’s most devastating midfielders. His combination of power, pace and footwork made him a constant threat with ball in hand, earning him the 2014 NPC Player of the Year award.
His performances in amber and black led to opportunities with the Chiefs before joining the Crusaders, where he was part of back-to-back Super Rugby title-winning campaigns in 2017 and 2018. He made his All Blacks debut against Wales in 2016 and went on to play five Tests.
Following his departure from Taranaki at the end of 2018, Tamanivalu spent two seasons with Union Bordeaux Bègles in France before joining Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan, where he played five seasons and helped the club to a Japan Rugby League One title. He also returned to the international stage with Fiji.
Now 34, Tamanivalu returns to Taranaki as a more experienced and complete player, adding proven quality and leadership to the Bulls’ midfield.
His arrival further strengthens an exciting backline alongside Daniel Rona, Meihana Grindlay and rising talent Haki Wiseman, while providing invaluable mentorship for the province’s next generation of midfielders.
Career Highlights
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NPC Player of the Year (2014)
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61 appearances for the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls (2012–2018)
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Two-time Super Rugby champion with the Crusaders (2017, 2018)
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Five Tests for the All Blacks
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Two-time Japan Rugby League One champion with Toshiba Brave Lupus
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International representative for Fiji
“Seta is a game-breaker who understands exactly what it means to represent the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls. He’s someone who can change a game for you, but just as importantly, he brings years of experience from the highest levels of the game. Our younger players will learn a huge amount from him. Having someone of Seta’s calibre back in our environment is a massive boost for our programme.”
Taranaki Rugby is excited to welcome Seta back into the province and we know the fans will be too.
The full Yarrows Taranaki Bulls squad will be named at the conclusion of the CMK Club Rugby finals and assemble on the 13th of July.
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