KATELYN VAHAAKOLO

Position
Midfield/Outside Back

Blues debut
2023 v Matatū

Blues caps
11

Points
55

Born
18/04/2000

Province

Auckland

Katelyn Vahaakolo has taken the rugby world by storm in the last two years and is a player to watch whether you’re a fan or an opposition defender! 

She had her first taste of Farah Palmer Cup in 2022 with the Auckland Storm and at the time was straddling a career in both union and league. 

However, the lure of a Black Ferns jersey brought Katelyn over to the 15s game permanently in 2023 where she quickly set about a path to being one of the most destructive wings in the game.  

She had a breakout first season of Super Rugby Aupiki, scoring tries at will and showing a turn of pace and evasive skills that left opposition teams clutching at air. 

Katelyn’s strong season culminated in selection in the Black Ferns where she performed at such a level that she was named World Rugby Rookie of the Year.  

There was no ‘second year blues’ in 2024 for Vahaakolo, just strong performances for the nib Blues! 

She backed up her impressive debut season with an outstanding display of pace, power and skill in the nib Blues championship winning season. 

Katelyn scored eight tries – topping the Super Rugby Aupiki stat tables in tries scored, clean breaks and metres gained. 

Her sensational nib Blues season was capped off with both the Player of the Year and Back of the Year awards. 

Vahaakolo continued to dominate during the international season with the Black Ferns, her eye for the try line and ability to find space continuing to be key features of her play. 

Katelyn comes into the 2025 Super Rugby Aupiki season full of confidence but will no longer have the element of surprise. 

Opposition backlines will be planning ways to nullify the treat of Vahaakolo, the question is, can they keep up?