In the heart of Southern California, where Polynesian pride pulses through every beat of a drum and every step of a siva, a new kind of performer is stepping into the spotlight—not on a stage, but on the pitch. Her name is Florinalaula’au “Nalu” Liufau, and at just 18 years old, she’s not only making history—she’s honoring it.
The Liufau family name is etched into the very fabric of Pasifika excellence. From the musical artistry of Auntie Suzy (Essel) and Uncle Matt (Seedless) to the cultural choreography of Auntie Tiana Liufau, founder of the globally renowned Nonosina Polynesian Dance Company, the Liufaus have long been pillars of community, creativity, and cultural preservation. Their legacy spans stages, studios, and screens—now, it stretches onto the rugby field.
And Nalu is carrying that legacy forward in a new arena: Women’s Rugby Sevens.
“It’s a blessing to have those kinds of people in our family,” Nalu says. “It’s something I look up to and idolize. It makes me want better for myself and for our family.”
Raised in Walnut, California, Nalu’s journey began with Belmont Shore Rugby Club, where she was welcomed into a sisterhood of athletes. Despite being new to the sport, her work ethic and cultural connection earned her respect—and a place among them.
Her rise was swift. After just two and a half years in the sport, Nalu was invited to the USA Women’s Sevens Combine at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista. The four-week camp was grueling, filled with elite-level training and Olympians like Kristi Kirshe and Ariana Ramsey. But Nalu didn’t just survive—she thrived.
“Training twice a day, four days a week with Olympians—it was intense,” she recalls. “I had to ask myself, ‘Am I ready for this?’”
She was. A week after the Combine, Nalu received the call: she was being offered a contract to join Team USA.
“My dad was hyped,” she laughs. “He was like, ‘Let’s go!’ Tears started falling down my face.”
Her father, Si’i Liufau, is a revered master tattoo artist, bestowed with the sacred Suluape title, marking him as a guardian of the traditional Samoan art of tatau. This title is not simply given—it is earned through years of dedication, cultural stewardship, and mastery of a sacred craft. His work is not just ink—it’s identity, history, and honor. And
when it came time for Nalu to receive her malu, the traditional tattoo worn by Samoan women, there was no question who would do it.
“I wouldn’t let anyone else,” she says. “My dad did my malu. It’s not just my last name I represent. It’s our people and our culture.”
Before rugby, Nalu had her sights set on Brown University, an Ivy League dream that slipped away due to academic hurdles. The rejection was painful, but it became a pivot point. She committed to Lindenwood University, a collegiate rugby powerhouse—until the Combine changed everything.
Now, as one of the youngest players on the national team, Nalu is embracing the pressure and the platform. She trains harder, focuses deeper, and carries the weight of her name with pride.
“You’re not just representing your club anymore,” she says. “You’re representing your country. Everyone who wants to be where you are.”
She sees her platform as a way to uplift the Pasifika community, especially young girls who may not see themselves reflected in mainstream sports. She draws inspiration from athletes like Caitlin, a New Zealand rugby player who uses her traditional tattoos to tell her story.
“She uses her body as protection, as a story. That’s powerful,” Nalu says. “I want to show the world what we have to offer.”
Her message is clear: it’s never too late to chase your dreams.
“Even being introduced to the sport late, hard work pays off,” she says. “Every extra training, every moment off the field—it all adds up.”
When asked what she’d tell her younger self, Nalu’s answer is rooted in faith and perseverance:
“Trust in the Lord. Trust that there’s a plan for you. Even through injuries, setbacks, and tough choices—just trust.”
Florinalaula’au “Nalu” Liufau is not just a rising rugby star. She’s the embodiment of a legacy reborn in a new arena. She’s a cultural ambassador, a fierce competitor, and a reminder that greatness isn’t inherited—it’s earned, lived, and passed on.
