Alfie Vaeluaga

Last updated
Alfie Vaeluaga
Birth nameAlfie To'oala Vaeluaga
Date of birth (1980-01-30) 30 January 1980 (age 44)
Place of birth Faga, Samoa
Height1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight118 kg (18 st 8 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker, Number 8
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2000-01
2001-03
2003-04
2004-06
2006-2009
2009-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-		 Otahuhu
Rotherham
Orrell
Plymouth Albion
Bristol
Leeds Carnegie
La Rochelle
London Welsh
Rotherham Titans
Chinnor
46
25
49
66
42

14
23
24
(95)
(60)
(95)
(20)
(20)

(5)
(10)
(80)
Correct as of 26 April 2015
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2001- Samoa 13 (0)
Correct as of 22 December 2015

Alfie To'oala Vaeluaga (born 30 January 1980) is a professional rugby union player who can play at Flanker or at Number 8. He has an extensive rugby union career, having played club rugby in New Zealand, England and France. He has top flight experience with Bristol, Leeds Carnegie and London Welsh and has been capped 13 times by Samoa including being called up to the Samoa World Cup 2007 team as a replacement for Filipo Levi who fractured his eye socket in a warm up match against Sale. [1] [2] Alfie is currently a player-coach at National League 2 South side Chinnor.

Contents

Early career

Born in Samoa, Alfie Comes from the Villages of Faga, Saina & Salelavalu, Alfie moved to New Zealand as a boy and grew up in Auckland where he attended De La Salle College, a boys secondary school notable for producing rugby union players. From school he joined Otahuha, a feeder team for the Auckland Blues, playing in the Gallaher Shield at level 4 of the New Zealand domestic game. While at Otahuhu he got his first taste of silverware when he helped the club to win the Gallaher Cup held at Eden Park in July 2000 - defeating Ponsonby 24 - 13. [3] The next year his team made it back to the final, once again facing Ponsonby, but were unable to retain their trophy as they lost 13 - 31. [4] [5]

in 2001 Alfie moved to England to join Rotherham for the 2001-02 season playing in the second division of English club rugby. He made an instant impression at the Yorkshire club, finishing in the top 10 of the divisions top try scorers with 13 tries, and he was also selected by Manu Samoa for their 2001-02 international tour. [6] [7] Rotherham also won the league title that year but were denied promotion to the Zurich Premiership as they were deemed to have failed the minimum standards criteria for entry. [8] Despite this disappointment of missing out on promotion due to a technicality, Rotherham bounced back and won the 2002–03 National Division One for the second year running, finally gaining promotion to the Premiership, with Alfie contributing 5 tries in the league. [9]

Unfortunately for Alfie he would not gain Premiership experience with Rotherham and instead stayed in National Division One for the 2003-04 season, signing for ambitious Lancashire side Orrell - then owned by Dave Whelan. At Orrell he had a similar impact to his first season at Rotherham, scoring 10 tries in the division and helping the club to finish as runners up to a very strong Worcester side who went undefeated all season. Failure to gain promotion to the Premiership proved to be disastrous as Dave Whelan decided to stop investing in the club, which coupled with coach Ross Reynolds leaving as a result, prompted a mass exodus of players from the club including Alfie. [10] [11] For the 2004-05 season Alfie remained in National Division One but moved all the way across the country to sign for Plymouth Albion who had finished in 3rd position behind Orrell the previous year. He continued to play good rugby in the division, staying at the Devon club for two seasons, and helping them to 3rd and 5th-placed finishes in the league, scoring 15 tries in the process. [7]

Premiership & French club career

In 2006 Alfie was picked up by Premiership side Bristol who he had experience of playing against during his first season at Albion. He made 16 league appearances during the 2006-07 season as Bristol managed to stay in the division in 11th place ahead of Leeds Tykes, who were relegated instead. Initially, signed on a two-year contract, his performances on his debut season led to the club offering him a new, three-year deal. [12] After being made part of the Manu Samoa team for their 2006-07 international tour, he also made the squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, making made three appearances (two from the bench) at the competition held in France, which was a disappointing one for Samoa as they failed to progress from the group stage, finishing 4th in their group behind rivals Tonga. [13]

The 2007-08 season was a great one for Bristol as they came 4th in the league and qualified for the playoffs - a great turnaround for a club who had finished one spot off relegation the previous year - losing to eventual winners Leicester Tigers 14 - 26 in the semi-finals. [14] Alfie made 13 appearances for the club and was called up to represent Samoa at the 2007 Pacific Nations Cup making 1 appearance for a Samoa side which finished 3rd. The 2008-09 season was Alfie's last at Bristol. Despite making the most appearances in a league season in the three years spent at the club, he would finish as part of a relegated team who only won 2 games out of 22 and would drop to the newly labelled RFU Championship. [15]

Following Bristol's relegation Alfie moved back north to Yorkshire where his family was based in May 2009, this time to join newly promoted Leeds Carnegie for the 2009-10 season. [16] His first season at Leeds was a success as he helped his team stay up in a very competitive league but the second saw Leeds finish bottom of the league table, being dead level with relegation rivals Newcastle Falcons but having a weaker for and against points difference. [17] There was a slim chance Leeds could stay up due to the controversial minimum standards entry (which had denied Alfie's former team Rotherham all those years ago) but with the victory of Worcester Warriors in the Championship Playoffs, Leeds were down and Alfie decided to leave England after 9 seasons to join French side La Rochelle playing in the second division of French rugby. [18]

Although he was dropping a division to play rugby for La Rochelle in the 2011–12 Rugby Pro D2 season, the French second division was far stronger than the English equivalent in terms of both finances and supporter attendances, and La Rochelle were an ambitious club who had only just been relegated from the Top 14. In a very competitive division, La Rochelle finished 5th in the regular season, just qualifying for the end of season playoffs (the league champions went up straight away leaving 2nd - 5th in the playoffs). An away tie beckoned against 2nd placed Pau who edged a tight game 16 - 14 to leave La Rochelle to contemplate another season in Pro D2. [19]

Recent career

Having failed to help La Rochelle go up at the first attempt, Alfie returned to England to sign for Premiership new boys London Welsh who had qualified for the league in the first time in the club's history. [20] Alfie's did not have a good season for Welsh who were relegated from the 2012-13 Premiership despite being fairly competitive (they actually had as may wins as 11th placed Worcester Warriors but had more defeats and did badly in acquiring bonus points) and he was not a first team regular only starting 4 league games. Alfie left at the end of the season to re-join his first English club, Rotherham Titans, who were playing in the 2013–14 RFU Championship stating that he was delighted to return to the club "where he had the happiest time of his career". [21] He had a run of games in the Titans squad and helped them to 4th place in the league and qualifying for the promotion playoffs. He played in the two semi final matches against former club Bristol but was unable to prevent his team from losing both games, ending any dreams of taking the Championship title. [22]

During the summer of 2014 Alfie decided to leave Rotherham to pursue his coaching career, signing as a player-coach for ambitious Chinnor, plying their trade in National League 2 South. [23] As expected of a man with international and top flight experience, Alfie had an excellent debut season at the Oxfordshire, helping the club to a sixth-placed finish in the league and being ranked in the top 10 try scorers with 16 tries. [24]

Honours

Otahuhu

Rotherham Titans

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worcester Warriors</span> Former English rugby union club

Worcester Warriors Rugby Football Club was a professional rugby union club founded in 1871 that played in the top division of the sport in England, Premiership Rugby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rotherham Titans</span> English rugby union team

Rotherham Rugby Union Football Club, or Rotherham Titans is a rugby union club from Rotherham, South Yorkshire, currently playing in the fourth tier of the English rugby union league system, following their relegation from the National League 1 at the end of the 2019–2020 season.

The 2004–05 National Division One was the 18th full season of rugby union within the second tier of the English league system, currently known as the RFU Championship. New teams to the division included Rotherham Titans who were demoted from the 2003-04 Zurich Premiership while Sedgley Park and Nottingham were promoted from the 2003–04 National Division Two. Rotherham almost went into liquidation and dropped out of the leagues following their relegation from the Premiership but were saved by a local consortium which enabled them to continue playing in National One. As well as new teams Coventry had a new ground, moving from Coundon Road to the smaller but more modern Butts Park Arena.

The 2002–03 National Division One was the 16th full season of rugby union within the second tier of the English league system, currently known as the RFU Championship. New teams to the division included Orrell and Plymouth Albion who were promoted from 2001–02 National Division Two while no team was relegated from the 2001-02 Zurich Premiership as Rotherham's ground was not deemed suitable for top flight games.

The 2007–08 National Division One was the 21st full season of rugby union within the second tier of the English league system, currently known as the RFU Championship. New teams included Northampton Saints and Esher and Launceston. After two seasons Rotherham dropped the 'Earth' from their name to return to 'Rotherham Titans' as sponsor Earth Mortgages ran into financial difficulties and Complete Technical Services instead became the club's new sponsor.

The 1997–98 Allied Dunbar Premiership Two was the eleventh full season of rugby union within the second tier of the English league system, currently known as the RFU Championship. New teams to the division included West Hartlepoool and Orrell who had been relegated from the Courage Premiership 1996-97 while Exeter and Fylde were promoted from National League 1. For the first time Premiership Two, along with the Premiership, was sponsored by the assurance company Allied Dunbar. For the previous ten seasons the league was known as the Courage Clubs Championship and sponsored by Courage Brewery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leeds Tykes</span> English rugby union football club

Leeds Tykes is an English rugby union club in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, playing in the National League 2 North.

The 1998-99 Allied Dunbar Premiership Two was the twelfth full season of rugby union within the second tier of the English league system, currently known as the RFU Championship. The league was expanded from twelve teams to fourteen and new teams to the division included Bristol who had been relegated from the Allied Dunbar Premiership 1997-98 while London Welsh, Rugby Lions, Leeds Tykes and Worcester were promoted from National League 1. Allied Dunbar sponsored the top two divisions of the English rugby union leagues for the second season in a row. The leagues were previously known as the Courage Clubs Championship and sponsored by Courage Brewery.

The 1999-00 Allied Dunbar Premiership Two was the thirteenth full season of rugby union within the second tier of the English league system, currently known as the RFU Championship. Allied Dunbar sponsored the top two divisions of the English rugby union leagues for the third season in a row. The leagues were previously known as the Courage Clubs Championship and sponsored by Courage Brewery. New teams to the division included West Hartlepool who had been relegated from the Allied Dunbar Premiership 1998-99 while Henley Hawks and Manchester had been promoted from National League 1. Exeter were also rebranded as the 'Chiefs' from this season onward.

The 2008–09 National Division One was the 22nd full season of rugby union within the second tier of the English league system, currently known as the RFU Championship. Leeds Carnegie joined National Division One, having been relegated from the Guinness Premiership after the 2007–08 season. Otley and Manchester were promoted from the 2007–08 National Division Two.

Tristan Roberts is a rugby union player who currently plays for Esher in National League 1, having previously been at US Cognac and Ealing Trailfinders. He has represented both the England Students and the England Counties XV and during his rugby career has progressed from playing in the fourth tier with Cinderford to playing in the Premiership with London Welsh. Tristan has played much of his career at fly-half and has a reputation as a very reliable points kicker who is also excellent at drop kicks.

The 2011–12 RFU Championship was the third season of the second tier of the English domestic rugby union competition, played between August 2011 and May 2012. New teams to the division included Leeds Carnegie who were relegated from the Aviva Premiership 2010–11 and London Scottish who were promoted from 2010–11 National League 1. The first stage was won by Bristol and the final by London Welsh who, after an appeal, won promotion to the Aviva Premiership 2012–13. Esher were relegated to the 2012–13 National League 1.

The 2012–13 RFU Championship is the fourth season of the professionalised format of the RFU Championship, the second tier of English domestic rugby union competitions, played between August 2012 and May 2013.

The 2013–14 RFU Championship, known for sponsorship reasons as the Greene King IPA Championship, was the fifth season of the professionalised format of the RFU Championship, the second tier of the English rugby union league system run by the Rugby Football Union. It was held between 14 September 2013 and 4 June 2014. It was contested by eleven English clubs and one from Jersey in the Channel Islands. It was also the first Championship season with a title sponsor, as the Rugby Football Union and Greene King Brewery reached a deal by which the brewery would become the competition's main sponsor from 2013–14 through to 2016–17.

The 2014–15 RFU Championship, known for sponsorship reasons as the Greene King IPA Championship, is the sixth season of the professionalised format of the RFU Championship, the second tier of the English rugby union league system run by the Rugby Football Union. It is contested by eleven English clubs and one from Jersey in the Channel Islands. This is the second year of the competition's sponsorship with Greene King Brewery, which runs until 2017. The twelve teams in the RFU Championship also competed in the British and Irish Cup, along with clubs from Ireland and Wales. Matches in the RFU Championship were broadcast on Sky Sports.

The 2015–16 RFU Championship, known for sponsorship reasons as the Greene King IPA Championship, is the seventh season of the professionalised format of the RFU Championship, the second tier of the English rugby union league system run by the Rugby Football Union. It is contested by eleven English clubs and one from Jersey in the Channel Islands. This is the third year of the competition's sponsorship with Greene King Brewery, which runs until 2017. The twelve teams in the RFU Championship also compete in the British and Irish Cup, along with clubs from Ireland and Wales. Some matches in the RFU Championship are broadcast on Sky Sports.

The 2016–17 RFU Championship, known for sponsorship reasons as the Greene King IPA Championship, is the eighth season of the professionalised format of the RFU Championship, the second tier of the English rugby union league system run by the Rugby Football Union. It is contested by eleven English clubs and one from Jersey in the Channel Islands. This will be the fourth year of the competition's sponsorship with Greene King Brewery. The twelve teams in the RFU Championship also compete in the British and Irish Cup, along with clubs from Ireland and Wales. Some matches in the RFU Championship are broadcast on Sky Sports.

Richard Vasey is an English rugby union player, currently playing at Fly-half for Caldy in National League 2 North. A talented player who has experience of playing at a higher level with clubs such as Leeds Carnegie and Moseley, Vasey is a reliable points kicker who has become one of the most prolific in National League 2 North history with over 1,400 points for Caldy. He has also been capped by England Students.

The 2017–18 RFU Championship, known for sponsorship reasons as the Greene King IPA Championship, was the ninth season of the professionalised format of the RFU Championship, the second tier of the English rugby union league system run by the Rugby Football Union. It was contested by eleven English clubs and one from Jersey in the Channel Islands. The competition was sponsored by Greene King for a fifth successive season. The twelve teams in the RFU Championship also competed in the British and Irish Cup, along with clubs from Ireland and Wales.

The 2018–19 RFU Championship, known for sponsorship reasons as the Greene King IPA Championship, is the tenth season of the professionalised format of the RFU Championship, the second tier of the English rugby union league system run by the Rugby Football Union. It is contested by eleven English clubs and one from Jersey in the Channel Islands. Greene King sponsors the competition for a sixth successive season. Clubs in the league also competed in the inaugural RFU Championship Cup.

References

  1. ↑ "ALFIE TO'OALA VAELUAGA". Yorkshire Carnegie. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ↑ "Samoa lock Levi out of World Cup". bbc.co.uk. 2007-09-03. Retrieved 2007-09-09.
  3. 1 2 "Auckland's Gallaher Shield final lives up to expectation". ESPN. 31 July 2000.
  4. 1 2 "Ponies must overcome Oats for title No 28". New Zealand Herald. 28 July 2001.
  5. ↑ "Ponies black and blue after victory". New Zealand Herald. 30 July 2001.
  6. ↑ "National One 02/03 Leading try scorers". Rugby Statbunker. 27 April 2002.
  7. 1 2 "Alfie To'oala Record by competition". Rugby Statbunker. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  8. ↑ "Rotherham denied promotion". BBC News. 19 May 2002.
  9. ↑ "Rotherham earn promotion". BBC News. 12 May 2003.
  10. ↑ "Chairman to hand Orrell ownership to members" . The Independent. 25 April 2004. Archived from the original on 2015-12-23.
  11. ↑ "Orrell 49 London Welsh 0". Manchester Evening News. 24 April 2004.
  12. ↑ "To'oala signs new contract with Bristol Rugby". Premiership Rugby. 3 April 2007.
  13. ↑ "2007 Rugby World Cup squads". The Telegraph. 12 August 2007.
  14. ↑ "Premiership semi-finals". BBC News. 5 May 2007.
  15. ↑ "Bristol relegated as Mike Catt limps off for Irish". The Guardian. 4 April 2009.
  16. ↑ "Aflie swoop first of treble by Carnegie". Yorkshire Evening Post. 19 May 2009.
  17. ↑ "Northampton Saints 31 Leeds Carnegie 24: match report". The Telegraph. 7 May 2011.
  18. ↑ "Le Stade Rochelais recrute Alfie To'oala Vaeluaga" (in French). Sud Ouest. 16 May 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
  19. ↑ "Pau – La Rochelle, Pro D2 2011-2012 – Démi-finales". L'Équipe (in French). 2012-05-19. Archived from the original on May 21, 2012. Retrieved 2012-06-07.
  20. ↑ "London Welsh preview 2012/13". Sky Sports. 28 August 2012.
  21. ↑ "TITANS ADD TO THEIR SQUAD". Rotherham Rugby. 7 August 2013. Archived from the original on 15 August 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2013.
  22. ↑ "Rotherham Titans (11) vs Bristol (22)". Rotherham Rugby. 17 May 2014. Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  23. ↑ "RUGBY UNION: Chinnor chief Williams elated by To'oala capture". Oxford Mail. 13 June 2014.
  24. ↑ "National Two South 14/15 Leading try scorers". Statbunker. 26 April 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.