Tai and Tasesa Lavea – Professional Rugby Coaches

Our top-level rugby players at the College could be forgiven for thinking that it was ‘business as usual’ on the coaching front, despite a change of leadership at the top. Former 1^st XV Head Coach, Tai Lavea has stepped down and his identical twin brother, Tasesa, has taken up the coaching role!

Tai and Tasesa are both proud Old Collegians. Both were boarders and are hugely thankful to the College for the opportunities that were afforded to them to excel on the rugby field and to continue on to forge rugby careers. 

At the start of this year, Tai Lavea stepped down as 1^st XV Coach, having secured the Assistant Coach role with the Auckland Mitre 10 cup side. We are absolutely thrilled for Tai and excited to think he will be working with Alama Ieremia, Graham Henry and Filo Tiatia in helping put Auckland Rugby back where it should be. He will also be back working with a large number of former Saint Kentigern boys who have gone on for selection at this level. The Auckland team are very lucky to have Tai on board and he has certainly earned his place in that management team. Tai had been with the College 1^st XV since the end of 2009 and during his tenure had set the team on an unprecedented path to success, leading to wins at regional and national level, as well a world title in Japan. 

Although Tai and Tasesa are twins they bring different qualities and strengths to the programme.  Tasesa initially played professional rugby for nine years, firstly with the Melbourne Storm followed by the Manly Sea Eagles, Auckland Rugby, the Blues, the Chiefs, Counties Manukau, Clermont Auverne, Manu Samoa and English Premiership side Sale Sharks. Over the last ten years he has accumulated significant coaching experience with the Chiefs U20, Counties Manukau U19 and most recently as Head Coach and Head of Rugby at King’s College. 

Tasesa has now taken ownership of the whole College rugby programme, taking on the Development Group as well as Head Coach the 1^st XV. Whilst they are proud Old Collegians, we are also proud of their achievements.