Date of birth | 2 December 1997 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Place of birth | New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 195 cm (6 ft 5 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 115 kg (254 lb; 18 st 2 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
School | Wesley College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sione Tuipulotu (born 2 December 1997 in New Zealand) [1] is a Tongan rugby union player, who currently plays as a lock or loose forward for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition [2] and Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. [3]
He previously also represented Manawatu in 2019 [4] and Auckland in 2020 and 2021. [5] [6]
Tuipulotu played for both Samoa and Tonga's Under 20 sides, while also being called up to the New Zealand Under 20 squad. [7]
On 27 May 2022, Tuipulotu was named in the Tongan national team for the 2022 Pacific Nations Cup and the Asia/Pacific qualification match for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. [8] He made his international test debut for Tonga on 2 July 2022 against Fiji. [9]
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.
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.
Teufaiva Sport Stadium which was previously known as Tenefaira Field Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga. It is used mostly for rugby union, football and rugby league and the Ikale Tahi team matches. The stadium holds 10,000 people. It is the home ground of the Tonga national rugby union team. Teufaiva is where the Secondary School sports in Tonga are held.
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The 2016 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup was the eleventh edition of the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup, an annual international rugby union tournament. The 2016 title was contested by the Pacific nations of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Fiji won title and was undefeated in the two matches the team played.
Ereatara Enari is a rugby union player, who currently plays as a halfback for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby and for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition. He was born and raised in New Zealand, but has represented Manu Samoa internationally, for which he is eligible due to his Samoan heritage.
Etuini Talakai, known also by his anglicised name Edwin Talakai is a Tongan former rugby union player who played as prop.
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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 who play in the Super Rugby Pacific competition. Many of its players represent Tonga and Samoa at the international level, while it also includes current and former All Blacks such as Ardie Savea and Julian Savea.
Sosefo Losino 'Apikotoa is a rugby union player, who currently plays as a prop for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and for Anthem Rugby Carolina in Major League Rugby (MLR). He previously played for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. He was born and raised in New Zealand, but represents Tonga internationally, for which he is eligible due to his Tongan descent.
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Josh Kaifa is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a loose forward for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition. He previously played – as an injury replacement – for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby and Zebre Parma in the United Rugby Championship.
Ola Tauelangi is an Australian rugby union player of Tongan descent, who currently plays as flanker for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby and for Auckland in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition.