Nofomuli Taumoefolau

Last updated
Nofomuli Taumoefolau
Date of birth (1956-06-21) June 21, 1956 (age 68)
SchoolTupou High School
University Daito Bunka University
Notable relative(s) Koliniasi Holani(nephew)
Sioape Latu Holani(nephew)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Amateur team(s)
YearsTeamApps(Points)
Tupou High School ()
Daito Bunka University RFC ()
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
1980-1990 Sanyo Electric [1] ()
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
1985-1990 Japan 15 (16)
1979 Tonga 3 (4)
Coaching career
YearsTeam
2015- Saitama Institute of Technology

Nofomuli Taumoefolau (born 1956) is a former rugby union player. He represented Japan and Tonga at international level. He played three tests for Tonga before he debuted for Japan against a French selection team in 1985. He played for Sanyo since 1980 until the end of his career.

Taumoefolau was part of Japan's 1987 Rugby World Cup squad.

He is the uncle of Koliniasi Holani, [2] who currently plays for Japan's national rugby union team.

Related Research Articles

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

The Japan national rugby union team, also known as the Cherry Blossoms, the Brave Blossoms, or simply Sakura, represents Japan in men's international rugby union. Japan is traditionally the strongest rugby union power in Asia and has enjoyed and endured mixed results against non-Asian teams over the years. Rugby union in Japan is administered by the Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU), which was founded in 1926. They compete annually in the Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) and previously in the Asia Rugby Championship (ARC). They have also participated in every Rugby World Cup (RWC) since the tournament began in 1987, and hosted the event in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fiji national rugby union team</span> National sports team

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, Italy, Argentina and England. The only major sides Fiji are yet to beat are New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland.

<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">World Rugby Pacific Challenge</span> Annual rugby union football tournament

The World Rugby Pacific Challenge, formerly the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup, is an annual rugby union football tournament held in Oceania since 2006. It is contested by national 'A' teams from the Asia-Pacific region. The tournament is run by World Rugby through Oceania Rugby.

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 Samoa</span>

Rugby union in Samoa is the country's most popular sport. The national teams in both the standard 15-man game and rugby sevens are consistently competitive against teams from vastly more populous nations.

<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">Rugby union in Fiji</span>

Rugby union in Fiji is a popular team sport and is considered to be the national sport of the country. The sport was introduced to Fiji in the 1880s. Fiji is defined as a tier two rugby nation by World Rugby. The national team has competed at the Rugby World Cup and made it as far as the quarter-finals. Their sevens team is also noted for their success, winning multiple Olympic gold medals, World Rugby Sevens Series and Rugby World Cup Sevens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nili Latu</span> Rugby player

Nili Latu, playing name of Otenili Langilangi is a Tongan rugby union footballer. In 2018, Latu left Newcastle Falcons after helping Falcons achieve 4th in the Aviva Premiership, the highest finish in 20 years. He moved to Japan to continue playing rugby.

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.

Maama Molitika is a Tongan former rugby union footballer. He is 6'5". He has played numerous times for the national Tongan team, making his debut in June 1997 against Fiji. He was also in the Pacific Islanders rugby union team squad that toured Europe in 2006. He played as a blind-side flanker.

Sinali Latu is a retired Tongan-Japanese rugby union player. He played in Japan for Sanyo and also played for the Japan national rugby union team. Now he coaches the Daito Bunka University rugby team. Since he acquired the Japanese citizenship, he changed his full name to William Sinali Latu. He is the founder of the non-profit organisation Japan-Tonga Friendship Association. He was nicknamed "Bill" (ビル) during his playing career in Japan.

<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>

Sport in Tonga consists of many games. Rugby union is the national sport, 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">Mana Otai</span> Rugby player

K. Manakaetau F. 'Otai is coach of the Tonga national team. He was educated at St Peter's College, Auckland and played club rugby in Auckland. His playing position was as flanker. Otai represented Tonga, being capped for the first time on 11 February 1995 against Japan at Nagoya. Otai was the Tongan team captain in the 1995 Rugby World Cup competition, in which he scored a try. Otai was an All Black trialist in 1994.

Amanaki Lelei Mafi is a Tongan-born, Japanese professional rugby union player who currently plays as a number 8 for the Japanese Sunwolves, Japan national rugby union team and the Bath Rugby Union team for a short period of time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Koliniasi Holani</span> Rugby player

Ryu Koliniasi Holani, born 25 October 1981, is a Tongan born, Japanese professional Rugby union player. He is the nephew of the former Japan international Nofomuli Taumoefolau

Paulo Nawalu, spelt also as Paula Nawalu is a former rugby union player. He played as a scrum-half.

Samuela H. S. "Semi" Taupeaafe (born in Nuku'alofa, on 29 July 1972)is a Tongan former rugby union player. He played as wing and centre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moana Pasifika</span> Rugby union team from various Pacific island nations

Moana Pasifika is a rugby union team made up of players from various Pacific Island nations as well as New Zealand or Australian born players of Pasifika heritage, including Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands.

References

  1. Matangi Tonga Online (February 5, 2011). "Tonga players in champion team" . Retrieved May 10, 2012.
  2. ノフォムリ氏からホラニへ託す日本ラグビー恩返し