Photo: Barbra Auva'a
By Symone Tafuna'i
Having enjoyed success on the world power liftting stage Barbra Auva'a now has rugby in her sights.
Auva'a set herself a five year time frame to succeed in power lifting and now the 30-year-old is aiming to do the same in rugby.
"I like to put myself out of my comfort zone because that is where I feel I grow and learn the most too".
Auva'a grew up in Samoa in the villages of Saelelonga and Falealupo based in Savai'i.
At the age of eight she moved to New Zealand to chase the "big dream and all the opportunities".
Growing up in Samoa, she said sport came naturally.
"Sports was [my] escape…. that was all you could do in the islands."
The former lifter attended Marist Primary and Marist College in Mt Albert, where she was dubbed "the fast girl".
However tragedy would soon strike Auva'a and her aiga. Her mum died when she was 16 and her dad died three years later. She admits she was forced to grow up fast.
"I had to figure out how to get through life because my biggest why was taken from me".
Stepping up to become a mother figure for her four younger siblings was "difficult" she told RNZ.
"Coming from a pacific islander family you don't have a choice. You just have to pick up the pieces and carry on.
"I had lost the innocence to be a kid and grieve at the same time".
Following her her parent's deaths, she focused on studying at the University of Auckland majoring in Drama and Pacific studies and working towards a certificate in personal training.
"I just loved doing everything, so it wasn't a chore for me."
In between studies Auva'a ran for Miss World Samoa in 2012.
Returning home, Auva'a wanted to reconnect with her cultural roots and aiga.
"To be close with my parents...I wanted to do something for them".
It wasn't until she heard of Miss Tonga, Siuea Cocker, completing squats as one of her talents in the contest that Auva'a's interest in powerlifting was spiked.
The Samoan represented New Zealand three times with a podium finish, achieved 2 Ocenia Champion titles and 3 national titles within the self imposed five year deadline.
After completing her studies in 2018, she applied for police college and became graduated in 2019.
In 2021 she decided to play rugby after being encouraged by one of her friends to "give it a go."
"It was an ending from one era of my life [lifting], and it was a beginning of something else".
Last year Auva'a played for Samoa's women's rugby team, the Manusina, in the Oceania cup. She made her international debut with only two years of rugby experience under her belt.
"I was overwhelmed, I felt like my parents were with me when I put the blue jersey on".
"The sacrifices [my parents] had to make...I felt lucky to play for my home country".
Currently playing for College Rifles, Auva'a credits Rugby World cup winner and Black Ferns first-five, Ruahei Demant, for being "a calm leader" in the Rifles team.
"I find myself lucky to be in that club amongst girls with so much experience and knowledge".
Three other Black Ferns Liana Miakele Tu'u (back row), Maiakawanakaulani Ross (lock) and Chelsea Bremner (lock) also play for the club.
The 30-year-old Auva'a said her rugby goals are to get the Samoan women's team on the big stage.
"The Manusina into the World Cup (is a big goal) and just to get as many oppourtunites I can to put on that blue jersey."
And Auva'a is determined to turn those dreams into realities.
"You tell me I can't and I will tell you I can. You tell me I can't go this way and I will find another way".
-RNZ