South Adelaide rising star Indy Tahau turns her back on rugby and now preparing for SANFLW grand final

South Adelaide rising star Indy Tahau grew up in a family of passionate rugby fans but a decision to code-hop to Australian rules now has now put her one win away from a SANFLW premiership.

Indy Tahau's switch from rugby union to Aussie rules is paying off as she prepares to play with South Adelaide in a SANFLW grand final. Picture: AAP/Roy VanDerVegt

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Indy Tahau has New Zealand blood in her veins – and a family full of passionate rugby union fans.

But two years ago, Tahau turned her back on rugby for Australian rules and trialled with South Adelaide.

The decision initially shocked her father, Maia, originally from Hastings, a city on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand.

Now though, it’s paying dividends as she is set to feature with the Panthers in the SANFLW grand final this Sunday.

Indy Tahau. Picture: AAP/Roy VanDerVegt

“I played rugby with Onkaparinga and started because my older brother Kuti used to play,” Tahau, 17, of Aldinga Beach, says. “With my family being from New Zealand, rugby is the sport that’s kind of part of the culture.

“But when I got to under-16s they said I had to stop playing with the boys and join a women’s team.

“AFLW had just started to kick off and it was physical, similar to rugby, so I thought I’d give it a try.

“At first Dad wasn’t too keen on the idea but then he sort of thought ‘my daughter has a bit of talent in this sport’ so he’s OK with it now.”

South is aiming to win back-to-back women’s state league flags after beating Norwood by five points in the club’s inaugural year.

South’s Indy Tahau in action against Norwood's captain Leah Cutting during a clash last month. Picture: AAP/Brenton Edwards

Tahau, a Year 11 student at Reynella College, watched last season’s grand final from the sidelines because she was only a member of the Panthers’ under-17 team.

The 175cm forward, who also helps out in the ruck, has lined up in all 11 senior matches this season, including the semi-final victory against the Redlegs a fortnight ago.

She has averaged 11.6 disposals and kicked six goals across her 11 games.

Tahau, who is also a member of the state under-18 squad and the AFLW under-18 championships team, says a triumph in the flag decider will mean so much.

“It’s very surprising but I’m so happy I’ve made it this far,” she says.

“I was so relieved after beating Norwood in the semi because it was such a dogfight.

“Kuti is coming from Canberra to watch, my two sisters Ally and Kea will be there and my mum Leesa is flying in from Queensland.

“I am very confident we can win the grand final. We play all year for this game, so winning would just be the best.”

South Adelaide plays North Adelaide in the grand final at Glenelg Oval on Sunday, May 26 at 4pm.