Although born in New Zealand, Ta'avao would also have been eligible to play international rugby for Australia through his mother, or for Samoa through his father. Ta'avao was schooled at Dilworth School in Auckland, New Zealand.
Career
Early career
Ta'avao was selected for the New Zealand U20 side for the 2010 tournament in Argentina, where he captained the side in his first match. He made his Auckland debut in the same year. Ta'avao was a member of the Blues wider training group in 2011. He was a member of the full Blues squad from the 2012 until the 2015.
2016–2018
Ta'avao signed a two-year contract for the Waratahs and Sydney Rays for 2016 through 2017. Ta'avao signed for the Chiefs for the 2018 Super Rugby season and became a regular starter for them early in the season, with established All Blacks Nepo Laulala and Atunaisa Moli ruled out with serious injuries. Ta'avao was one of the best-performing players in the Chiefs during 2018 and was called into the All Blacks, as injury cover for Crusaders prop, Joe Moody. Ta'avao made his international debut for New Zealand on 29 September 2018, during the fifth round of the 2018 Rugby Championship, against Argentina's Los Pumas, at Buenos Aires. Ta'avao replaced Blues prop, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, off the bench in the 51st minute and had a good impact off the bench, contributing towards a highly dominant scrum. The All Blacks beat Los Pumas 35-17, winning the Rugby Championship in the process. Ta'avao then made two more appearances for New Zealand on their end-of-season tour, including a start in a 69–31 win over Japan.
2019
With Tim Perry not considered for selection due to injury, Ta'avao was named in New Zealand's squad for the 2019 Rugby Championship. After a start against Argentina and appearing as a substitute against South Africa, as well as the record 26-47 defeat to Australia, Ta'avao established himself as a regular replacement off the bench for New Zealand, alongside Auckland teammate, Ofa Tu'ungafasi. On 28 August, All Blacks Head Coach, Steve Hansen named Ta'avao as one of 31 players in New Zealand's squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. With 108-test veteran, Owen Franks missing out on the squad entirely, Ta'avao's selection received widespread news coverage. Franks claimed that Ta'avao, as well as Nepo Laulala, "deserve their places in the World Cup squad". Ta'avao played in all of New Zealand's tests during the competition, starting in a 63-0 victory over Canada, also scoring his first try for New Zealand in a 71-9 win over Namibia. Having proved himself as a star performer for the All Blacks, Ta'avao also came off the bench in all three knockout tests of the World Cup, with New Zealand beating Wales 40-17 in the Bronze Final, claiming third place.
