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Teo's 'tough love' takes Kiwi Tawha from scaffold to Broncos
Joel Gould, AAP •  March 6th, 2026 8:52 am
Aublix Tawha | Photo: AAP
From the scaffolds of high-rise buildings to the collisions with the big boppers that he relishes, Brisbane forward Aublix Tawha's journey has been a "crazy" ride.
Throw in a season of club rugby in Amsterdam and a Test debut for the Netherlands rugby union team – "The Oranges" – it has also been bizarre.
The 26-year-old was previously a scaffolder in Hamilton, New Zealand and even did a stint last year before making his NRL debut for the Dolphins.
"It is crazy that I wake up and come here to the Broncos now. I used to wake up and go to work at the top of skyrises," Tawha told AAP.
"The highest I went up was 21 storeys. It was pretty dangerous.
"It was a hard life. It is still a hard life now, but I am doing something I love and dreamt of. I am extremely grateful."
His Dutch heritage came in handy after COVID and then he had a shot at forging a rugby league career in country NSW for Yass.
"I was playing rugby back in New Zealand for fun and COVID hit," he recalled.
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"A coach in Amsterdam found out I was Dutch and asked me to come over. I ended up playing a year there and I loved it. My mum (Sara) was born and raised there."
"I went back to scaffolding and had one more shot in Yass. I was trying to get a deal with the Raiders' NSW Cup team but ended up at the Dolphins."
Current Broncos assistant coach Ben Te'o was the Redcliffe Dolphins coach in the Queensland Cup in 2023 and saw a video of Tawha playing. He liked his toughness and work ethic and signed him.
"Ben gave me a shot in his Redcliffe team and he was really hard on me. He gave me tough love," Tawha said.
"If I did something wrong he was onto me and would get into me, telling me how I should do it. I liked it. That is how I liked to be coached. It reminded me of how hard my dad was on me growing up with footy."
A Dolphins' NRL contract and debut came last year, where Tawha wrangled with Sydney Roosters firebrands Naufahu Whyte and Spencer Leniu in a confrontation that made headlines.
"What happens on the field stays on the field," Tawha said.
"Sometimes I can get overheated but sometimes that's when I play my best. It helps me lock into the game."
Tawha, named at No.17 for Brisbane's round-one clash with Penrith, reckons he can do much better than his short bench stint in the 30-24 World Club Challenge loss to Hull KR.
"I think I was just too keen and excited but next game I'll be a lot more calm," he said.
"I will rip in and do my best."
