Damien Penisini

Last updated
Damien Penisini
Date of birth (1971-03-01) 1 March 1971 (age 53)
Height5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight252 lb (114 kg)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Provincial / State sides
YearsTeamApps(Points)
1997–98 Wellington 3 (0)
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
1997–99 Tonga 6 (0)

Damien Penisini (born 1 March 1971) is a Tongan former international rugby union player.

Contents

A powerful tight-head prop, Penisini played provincial rugby in New Zealand with Wellington and had several seasons in the United Kingdom. [1] He competed with Neath in the 1998–99 Heineken Cup and joined fellow Welsh club Ebbw Vale the following season, then played for New Brighton in the north of England. [2] [3]

Penisini competed on the Tonga national team in the late 1990s and gained six caps, which included qualifying matches for the 1999 Rugby World Cup. He made Tonga's World Cup squad but did not get to take the field during the tournament. [4]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonga national rugby union team</span> Rugby union team

The Tonga national rugby union team represents the Tonga Rugby Union in men's international rugby union. The team is nicknamed ʻIkale Tahi . Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a traditional challenge – the Sipi Tau. They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along with Fiji and Samoa. The Ikale Tahi achieved a historic 19–14 victory over France in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, but having lost to New Zealand and Canada, were unable to achieve what would have been their first-ever presence at the quarter-finals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonga Rugby Union</span>

The Tonga Rugby Union is the governing body of the sport of rugby union in Tonga. They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along with Fiji and Samoa. There is a rugby union playing population of fewer than 800 out of a total population of 100,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonga national rugby league team</span> Tonga national rugby league team

The Tonga national rugby league team represents Tonga in rugby league football. They are currently the fifth ranked team in the world. The team was formed to compete in the 1986 Pacific Cup, and have competed at six Rugby League World Cups, starting in 1995 and continuing consecutively until the most recent tournament. Their best result was at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup, where they were semi-finalists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epi Taione</span> Rugby player

Epi Taione is a former Tongan rugby union footballer whose last club was London Welsh. He normally played at centre but could cover the wing or back row.

Rodger Siaosi Toutai Kefu is a Tongan-Australian professional rugby union coach and former player who has been coaching the Tonga national team since 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rugby union in Tonga</span>

Rugby union is the national sport of Tonga. Tonga are considered to be a tier 2 rugby nation by the International Rugby Board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cooper Vuna</span> Australia & Tonga international rugby player

Kerry Cooper Vuna is a professional rugby footballer who plays on the wing for Newcastle Falcons in Premiership Rugby. He played rugby league as a wing for the New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League competition, before switching to rugby union to play Super Rugby for the Melbourne Rebels.

Aleki Lutui in Tofoa, Tonga, is a Tongan rugby union international player. His position is hooker. He is currently playing club rugby for Ampthill in RFU Championship.

Inoke Afeaki is a Tongan former rugby union footballer, coach and administrator. He has played professionally in New Zealand, Japan, Wales, France and Tonga, and coached in France, New Zealand and Singapore. His usual playing position was at lock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soane Tongaʻuiha</span> Rugby player

Soane Tongaʻuiha is a Tongan-born, New Zealand-educated, rugby union player and coach. His longest stint was spent with the Northampton Saints, with whom he formed a formidable reputation and rose to prominence, becoming a fan favourite. He has played internationally for Tonga. His position of choice is loose-head prop, although he sometimes plays at tight-head. He is known for his large size and fierce runs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sport in Tonga</span>

Rugby union is the national sport in Tonga. Sumo has a following, while football, judo, surfing, volleyball, and cricket have gained popularity in recent years. Rugby league and Australian football are also played.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonga women's national rugby union team</span> Rugby union team

The Tonga women's national rugby union team are a national sporting side of Tonga, representing them at rugby union. They compete annually in the Oceania Rugby Women's Championship.

Tevita Hale Nai Tu'uhoko, often known simply as Hale T-Pole or Hale T Pole, is a Tongan rugby union footballer who plays as a flanker or number eight for the Ricoh Black Rams in the Top League in Japan. He has also played internationally for Tonga and the Pacific Islanders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fetuʻu Vainikolo</span> Rugby player

Fetu'u Moana Vainikolo is a Tongan rugby union player who currently plays for the Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby (MLR). His regular playing position is Wing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sika Manu</span> NZ & Tonga international rugby league footballer

Viliami Sikalamu "Sika" Manu is a former professional rugby league footballer who played as a second-row forward for Tonga and New Zealand at international level, being a member of the World Cup winning Kiwi team who beat Australia in the 2008 World Cup Final.

Sililo Victor Martens is a former Tongan international rugby union player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Loamanu</span> Rugby player

Christian Loamanu is a Tongan-born Japanese rugby union player who plays at wing but can also play centre and fullback.

William Helu is a Tongan rugby union player. His usual position is on the wing or at centre. He is part of the Tonga national rugby union team and was part of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Fakahau Valu is a former Tongan rugby union player. He played as a flanker.

David Halaifonua is a Tongan national rugby union player who currently plays for Hull RUFC in the National League 2 North and for the Tonga national team.

References

  1. "Damian Penisini". www.rugbyhistory.co.nz.
  2. "Steelmen strengthen their ties with Tonga". South Wales Echo . 21 August 1999.
  3. "Blues adapt to life without key players". Wirral Globe. 23 August 2005.
  4. "Cov keen to sign Tongan". Coventry Evening Telegraph . 21 July 2003.