Chiefs Manawa are excited to announce ex-Wallaroo Carys Dallinger is joining the squad for their 2026 campaign.
The 6-capped international is an exciting addition to the team, bringing a strong rugby pedigree with experience in both Super Rugby Aupiki and Super W as well as representing Australia in the aforementioned Wallaroo’s.
Known for her work-rate, physicality and game awareness, Dallinger will bring a level of high-performance standard to the Chief Manawa.
Head Coach Dwayne Sweeny said “We’re creating an environment that fosters healthy competition and a sense of unity – a team that’s better together. Sweeney continued, “Carys is driven to come home and make a difference and strive for that Black Jersey. She’s shown a desire to want to compete and that’s exactly what we want”
The signing reflects the teams focus on developing and backing talented players with the potential to perform at the highest level.
Dallinger is excited to be heading back to her Rotorua roots and joining Chiefs Country, she stated “The opportunity to come home and pull on a jersey I’ve dreamt of wearing since I was a kid is genuinely humbling. At this point in my career I was seeking a new challenge and an environment that I was confident could continue to help me grow and evolve as a player”.
“I firmly believe my best footy is still ahead of me, and with the squad we’ve assembled, and the leadership of Sweens and Carla, I know this is somewhere I can make a meaningful contribution. I am so proud to come home and call myself a Chief”.
The Super Rugby Aupiki season is set to start later this year in a newly adapted schedule. More to come.
