Awhina Tangen-Wainohu announces medical retirement from international rugby

Black Ferns loosehead prop Awhina Tangen-Wainohu has today announced her retirement from international rugby due to a career-ending neck injury after receiving further assessment in New Zealand.

Named in the Black Ferns’ Pacific Four Series squad earlier this year, she was ruled out of the tournament ahead of game one v USA, following an aggravation of a previous neck injury. 

Tangen-Wainohu said in a social media post: 

“Sometimes the game you love doesn’t love you back. My neck scans have shown that staying in the game could cost more than the game gives. So I have to hang the boots up, but I am grateful my tinana is still in one piece.

“Ngā mihi rugby, for a life I never imagined, for everything you gave to my whānau and I. To every team, coach, kaiako, and teammate, you shaped this journey. Forever grateful.”

2025 was a significant year for Tangen-Wainohu, who made a remarkable return to the black jersey after stepping away from the game for two years due to her troubling neck injury. 

In March, she quietly returned to the Blues in Super Rugby Aupiki and played in eight matches, helping her team win both the Super Rugby Aupiki title and the inaugural Women’s Super Rugby Champions Final.

Named in the Black Ferns’ Pacific Four Series squad, she came off the bench in their 38-12 win over Australia in Newcastle, her first international Test since the second match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2022 against Wales.

Later in the year, she was named in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 squad and made two appearances against Spain and South Africa.

A mother to her son Hipirini, he was her biggest motivator in her comeback journey and retires with 10 Black Ferns Test caps.

She previously played for Chiefs Manawa in Super Rugby Aupiki as well as Waikato and Hawke’s Bay in the Farah Palmer Cup.

NZR CEO Steve Lancaster said:

“Awhina has overcome many challenges in her rugby journey, and it’s been inspiring to witness her return to the Black Ferns over the past year. On behalf of NZR, I’d like to thank Awhina for her outstanding contribution to women’s rugby, both on the field and through her mentorship off it. We recognise this hasn’t been an easy decision, and we wish her all the best for the future.”

Black Ferns Head Coach Whitney Hansen said:

“Awhina is a talented front-rower who has consistently shown what’s possible through resilience and determination. She’s been instrumental in helping us shape this new era of Black Ferns. She has approached an incredibly tough decision with mana and optimism; we thank her for everything she has given to this team. Awhina will always be part of this group, and we know she will continue to contribute to the legacy of our people. For that, we are grateful.”