As her final season approaches, BYU senior Lavinia (Nia) Iketau reflected on the unexpected journey that brought her to rugby, the growth she has experienced on and off the field, and the legacy she hopes to leave for the players who will come after her.
Lavinia (Nia) Iketau's path to BYU rugby didn’t come from recruitment or pressure — just curiosity.
“Honestly, no one really told me about it. I just remember hearing somewhere that BYU did rugby tryouts, but I’d never played before, so I didn’t think I’d actually do it,” she said.
Even on her mission, the idea lingered in her mind. “I would joke—but not really joke—about coming home and fulfilling my D1 dreams by trying out for the rugby team,” she said.
When she returned, she embraced the chance to try something new.
“I was in that RM (return missionary) mindset of wanting to try new things and keep growing. So I thought, why not go for rugby? I tried it, and I’ve been doing it ever since,” she said.
Iketau said the sport has pushed her physically and mentally.
“I’m definitely a lot more disciplined now, especially with fitness outside of rugby,” she said. “I’ve gained a lot of mental strength. I’ve learned that I can handle more than I think I can."
She still remembers one of the first lessons she heard from her coach.
“My coach said that in rugby you sometimes have to go to a dark place and find ways to push through it. Over the years, I’ve learned how to do that for myself,” she said.
For Iketau, rugby fills an emotional need that nothing else does. “I missed being on a team," she said.
To her, rugby offers a unique type of community ... We’re all working toward the same purpose, and it’s something I can escape to,” she said.
When asked what moments stand out most from her career, Iketau didn’t choose wins or big plays; she chose the team.
“What stands out most is when someone on the team is struggling and everyone jumps in to lift them up.” She added, “Those moments remind me how much we’re there for each other.”
As a senior, Iketau has stepped into a leadership role she never expected.
“Sometimes I can tell the younger players look to me for help, which is new for me,” she said. "At the beginning, I still didn’t feel very adequate to answer their questions ... To handle that, I’ve tried to increase my own rugby IQ. I realized I do know enough to help them, and it’s been really cool to learn more with the other girls."
When asked about her biggest challenge this season, she spoke about her feelings of inadequacy. With being a more seasoned player and having a bigger role, the expectations became higher.
“I knew I’d be expected to get more playing time and step up, and that brought a lot of pressure,” she said.
She relied on her coaches for direction.
“I talked to my coaches and asked for feedback. I trust them, and they help me know what to work on,” she said. To help, she also set small, personal goals to stay grounded in what she could control.
Her teammates also helped her stay positive.
“Being around them makes me happy and helps me forget about where I fall short. Everyone is good at lifting each other up,” she said.
As her college career approaches its end, Iketau hopes her teammates remember her for her actions.
“I hope they remember the importance of never giving up,” she said. "Trust the process, keep pushing, and you’ll get better,” she said.
If she could go back to her early days in the sport, Iketau would offer the same encouragement.
"Everyone is capable of so much if they’re willing to take the chance,” she said.
Iketau still has goals she hopes to accomplish before graduating.
“As a team, we always talk about getting a championship,” she said. “Personally, I want to become the most confident rugby player I can be and be able to say I gave it 100 percent.”
She plans to stay connected to the program long after her time as a player.
“I’ll definitely keep track of the team. I hope (coach) Jared (Whippy) will let me come back and help however I can,” she said. “He’s talked about building a foundation for future players, and I want to be part of that."
Before she leaves the team, Iketau hopes to leave her teammates with a final reminder.
“You are capable of anything you set your mind to," she said. "Don’t give up. Trust the process. It goes by fast, so cherish every moment on the field and with your teammates."