Ataata Moeakiola

Last updated

Ataata Moeakiola
Japan Sevens 2018-13a.jpg
Date of birth (1996-02-06) 6 February 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth Tonga
Height186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight99 kg (218 lb; 15 st 8 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing, Number 8
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2020– Kobelco Steelers 33 (115)
2024– Manawatu 4 (10)
Correct as of 26 February 2023
Super Rugby
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2017 Sunwolves 0 (0)
2019 Chiefs 9 (15)
Correct as of 21 February 2021
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2015–2016 Japan U20 10 (39)
2015– Japan 4 (15)
Correct as of 21 February 2021

Ataata Moeakiola (born 6 February 1996 in Tonga) is a Tongan-born, Japanese rugby union player who plays on the wing. He most recently played for the Chiefs in 2019. [1]

Contents

Youth career

Moeakiola, originally from Tonga, having left Tonga aged just 15 thanks to a university rugby scholarship in Japan. He played for the Japan's U20 side at the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in 2016. [2]

He gained much attention for grabbing a spectacular hat-trick inside 30 minutes against South Africa at the under-20 Rugby Championship in England. [3] [4]

Professional career

Moeakiola signed for the Chiefs for the 2019 Super Rugby season and will look to make his debut in the competition. [5]

International career

He was named in the Japan squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. [6]

Reference list

  1. "Strength across the field for Gallagher Chiefs" (Press release). Chiefs. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  2. "Super Rugby a dream come true for Chiefs' Tongan-Japanese winger Ataata Moeakiola". Stuff. 1 March 2019. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  3. "Tongan force a lethal weapon for Japan". New Zealand Herald. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  4. "Giant Japanese wing Ataata Moeakiola scores hat-trick to start comparisons to Jonah Lomu". Stuff. 9 June 2016. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  5. "Rugby: Japan winger surprise inclusion in Chiefs squad". RNZ. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  6. "Japan Training Squad for Rugby World Cup 2019". Japan Rugby. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 7 October 2023.

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