Related Research Articles
The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks, represents New Zealand in men's international rugby union, which is considered the country's national sport. Famed for their unmatched international success, the All Blacks have often been regarded as the most successful sports team in history.
The 1999 Rugby World Cup, was the fourth Rugby World Cup, the quadrennial international rugby union championship, the first World Cup to be held in the sport's professional era.
The Samoa national rugby union team represents Samoa in men's international rugby union and it is governed by the Samoa Rugby Union. They are also known as Manu Samoa, which is thought to derive from the name of a Samoan warrior. They perform a traditional Samoan challenge called the siva tau before each game. Samoa Rugby Union were formerly members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along with Fiji and Tonga. They are ranked 11th in the world.
The Fiji national rugby union team represents Fiji in men's international rugby union. Fiji competed in the Pacific Tri-Nations and now competes in its successor tournament Pacific Nations Cup. Fiji also regularly plays test matches during the June and November test windows. They have beaten the major rugby playing sides of Wales, Scotland, Australia, France, Argentina and England. The only major sides Fiji are yet to beat are New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland.
The Tonga national rugby union team represents Tonga 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.
Sir Michael Niko Jones is a New Zealand former rugby union player and coach.
Francis Meli is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. A Samoa and New Zealand international representative centre or winger, he played in the National Rugby League for New Zealand club, Auckland Warriors before playing in the Super League for English clubs, St Helens and Salford.
Nigel Faletoese Vagana, also known by the nicknames of "Pablo", and "Chiko", is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s, as a wing, centre and five-eighth. A New Zealand and Samoa international representative, he retired as the Kiwis' all-time top try-scorer with 19. Vagana played club football in New Zealand for the Warriors, in England for Warrington, and in Australia for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Vagana represented the New Zealand national team 32 times between 1998 and 2006, including playing in the 2000 World Cup. He is also the cousin of Bradford Bulls prop-forward Joe Vagana, and former Silver Ferns netball player Linda Vagana.
Alaimatagi "Ali" Lauitiiti is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s, as a second-row. He was touted as "The Michael Jordan of Rugby League" in his playing days due to his large hands and athleticism.
Sailosi Tagicakibau is a rugby union footballer who has played at wing for London Irish and Wasps in the Aviva Premiership.
Namulauulu Alama Ieremia is a New Zealand rugby union coach and former international player for Western Samoa and New Zealand.
Ben Te'o is a former profesional rugby union and rugby league footballer who last played as a second-rower for the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL.
Lolagi Visinia is a rugby union player, who currently plays as a wing or fullback for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby and Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition. He was born and raised in New Zealand, but has represented both New Zealand and Manu Samoa internationally.
The 2003 Samoa rugby union tour of Austral Africa was a series of matches played in July 2003 in Namibia and South Africa by Samoa national rugby union team, to prepare the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
The Samoa women's national rugby league team, also known as the Fetū Samoa, represents Samoa in Women's rugby league. They are administered by the Rugby League Samoa.
Mark Leslie Birtwistle is a New Zealand-born Samoan former rugby union footballer. He played as lock.
Michael Alaifatu N. Mika is a New Zealand district court judge and former Samoan rugby union player. He played as Prop.
Talamasene "Tala" Leiasamaivao is a Samoan rugby union player. He plays as a hooker.
Jeremy S. Tomuli is a New Zealand-born Samoan rugby union player. He plays as a prop. He played for FC Oloron until 2016, when he started to play for Escou.
Augustine Joseph Leger is a New-Zealand born Tongan rugby union player. He played as centre.
References
- ↑ "Jonathan Meredith (Samoa)". Ponsonby Rugby. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ↑ "Rugby: Samoan squad named". New Zealand Herald. 28 May 2003. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
- ↑ Jonathan Meredith international statistics
- ↑ John E. Meredith at New Zealand Rugby History
