Date of birth | 31 August 1983 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Place of birth | Tonga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 122 kg (19 st 3 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Halani Aulika (born 31 August 1983) is a rugby union prop from Tonga who plays for Top 14 side Grenoble.
Born in Tonga, Aulika emigrated to New Zealand in 2000 at the age of 17. After finishing school, he was a fixture in Auckland club rugby for several years but was unable to break into the Auckland provincial side. Short of opportunities in Auckland, he transferred to Otago for the 2010 ITM Cup. [1]
With Otago, Aulika was an instant success and one of the bright lights in a disappointing season for the province.
After serving a three-match ban for an incident in club rugby, he quickly established himself as one of the side's starting props alongside former All Black Kees Meeuws. In 10 appearances, he scored a team-leading five tries and established himself as one of the best attacking props in the competition.
In the 2011 ITM Cup, Aulika appeared in the first five matches of the season for Otago before leaving to take up his international duties for Tonga ahead of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Following his successful season with Otago, Aulika earned himself a contract with the Highlanders for the 2011 Super Rugby season. Serving as a depth prop for the squad, he made his only appearance of the season as a substitute in the club's win over the Brumbies on 1 April.
Aulika signed a two-year contract with London Irish in March, 2012 and then later joined the club in July 2012. [2] At the conclusion of the 2015–16 season it was confirmed that Aulika was to leave London Irish and join Sale Sharks the following season. [3] [4]
At the end of the 2017–18 English Premiership season, it was announced that Aulika would be moving to French Top 14 side Grenoble.
Mase Mahonri Schwalger is a former Samoan professional rugby union footballer who last played in New Zealand for the Chiefs in the Super Rugby competition and for Counties Manukau in the National Provincial Championship. He captained the Samoan national team at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
SamuelaMoa is a former professional rugby league footballer who played as a prop, most recently for the FC Lézignan XIII in the French Elite One Championship. He is both Tonga and New Zealand international.
Johnny Leota is a Samoan rugby union player who played for Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership. Leota was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand and made his international debut for Samoa in 2011; he has since won 20 caps. He previously played for Manawatu Turbos in the ITM Cup. Started in 2001, making the NZ Rugby League U17 tournament team and NZ secondary schools tournament team. From here he progress into the Hurricanes schools team which lead to him being put into the academy. Leota followed the rugby path with no success until 2004 where he made his debut for Manawatu Rugby before making his breakthrough season to the Highlanders super rugby squad after a stunning 2007 season. He was offered a contract with the West Tigers in NRL 2007 but chose to go with the Highlanders.
Tavake Lecanus Liukanasi Manu is a retired New Zealand rugby union player. He played in the number 8 and occasionally flanker position for Mitre 10 Cup side, Otago. Manu also represented Tonga at international level.
Christopher King is a New Zealand rugby union player
Alando Soakai is a former professional rugby union player from New Zealand. He is currently the head coach of the Wellington Lions in the National Provincial Championship. He is best known for his time with the Highlanders in Super Rugby and Otago in the ITM Cup, and as captain of Otago in their 2009 and 2010 campaigns. He currently serves on the coaching staff of the Kubota Spears in the Japan Rugby League One, the club where he finished his playing career.
Fetu'u Moana Vainikolo is a Tongan rugby union player who for the Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby (MLR). His regular playing position is Wing.
Kurt Baker is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a fullback or wing for Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby (MLR).
Koloti Telusa Pelaki Veainu is a rugby union player. He plays at fullback or on the wing for Doncaster Knights. He was born and raised in New Zealand, but he represents Tonga internationally. He is known for his speed, elusiveness and strength from fullback, earning him a place in Will Greenwood's Daily Telegraph team of the year for 2016/17.
Ma'afu Fia is a Tongan International rugby union prop who most recently played rugby for Ospreys in the URC, having previously represented the Highlanders in Super Rugby.
Nicholas Mayhew, is a professional rugby union player for the Brumbies in Super Rugby. He also plays for Rugby New York (Ironworkers) in Major League Rugby (MLR) where he won a championship in 2022. He plays in the front row at prop in both loosehead and tighthead positions.
Jason Emery is a New Zealand rugby union player who represents the Sunwolves in Super Rugby, as well as for Manawatu in the Mitre 10 Cup. He also plays for Rugby New York (Ironworkers) in Major League Rugby (MLR) in the United States. His position of choice is centre.
Malakai Fonokalafi Fekitoa is a Tongan professional rugby union player who plays as a centre for United Rugby Championship club Benetton and the Tonga national team.
TJ Ioane is a Samoa international rugby union player. He plays as a flanker for Glasgow Warriors in the Pro14 on loan from Premiership Rugby side London Irish.
Daniel Lienert-Brown is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a loosehead prop for Canterbury in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Highlanders in the international Super Rugby competition.
Aki Seiuli is a New Zealand born rugby union player of Samoan heritage who currently plays as a prop for Dragons and the Samoan national side. He previously played for Glasgow Warriors; and the New Zealand sides Otago - in domestic Mitre 10 Cup - and the Highlanders - in the international Super Rugby competition.
Dan Pryor is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a loose forward for the Miami Sharks in Major League Rugby (MLR). He previously played for the San Diego Legion, for Northland in the ITM Cup, for the Highlanders, Blues and Sunwolves in Super Rugby, and for the Munakata Sanix Blues in the Japanese Top League.
Siate Tokolahi is a Tongan rugby union player who played as a prop for Canterbury and Southland in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Chiefs and Highlanders in the international Super Rugby competition.
Siosiua Halanukonuka is a Tongan rugby union player. He plays in the prop position for the France side Perpignan. Halanukonuka also represents Tonga at international level.