| Birth name | Talite Vaioleti | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | November 13, 1980 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Haveluloto, Tonga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 115 kg (254 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Talite Vaioleti (born 13 November 1980) is a Tongan rugby union player, born in Haveluloto, Tonga, [1] who plays for National League 1 side, Darlington Mowden Park R.F.C. [2] He is a utility player able to play as a Lock or in the Back Row. [3]
Vaioleti started to play rugby for Club Levengamalie in 2003. [1] After a club tour to New Zealand, he was persuaded to turn professional and in 2005, [1] was selected to play for Tonga against France. While in France, he was approached to play club rugby in Europe. As a result of this, Vaioleti played one season with Royan in France. [4] From there along with some fellow Tongan players, he moved to England to play for Hertford in 2006. [4] In 2007, Vaioleti joined Jersey [5] where he became captain and led them to two promotions and a game at Twickenham Stadium in London. [4] In 2010, Vaioleti left Jersey to move to Wharfedale after a recommendation from fellow Tongan, Latu Makaafi. [5] After a season, in 2011 he moved to Rotherham Titans where despite making 8 appearances for them in the RFU Championship, due to a lack of starts he moved back to Jersey, who had just been promoted to the RFU Championship, in 2012. [6]
Vaioleti has represented Tonga twice as well as appeared a number of times for Tonga A. In 2010 he received an invitation to represent The Barbarians under England national coach, Brian Ashton against a Forces XV where he scored two tries. [4]
Vaioleti was married to a Jerseywoman named Catherine whom he met during his first stint at Jersey. [7] Vaioleti is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Between 2001 and 2003 he was a missionary in Australia. [1] In 2011, he was interviewed by the BBC for a radio programme about the haka. [8]