Uwe Helu

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Uwe Helu
Uwe Helu-1.jpg
Helu representing the Sunwolves during Super Rugby
Full nameTauate Valu Uwe Helu
Date of birth (1990-07-12) 12 July 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth Nukuʻalofa, Tonga
Height1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Weight115 kg (254 lb; 18 st 2 lb)
School St. Thomas of Canterbury College
University Takushoku University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock, Flanker
Current team Kubota Spears
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2014–2021 Shizuoka Blue Revs 43 (65)
2017–2019 Sunwolves 22 (15)
2022–2024 Kubota Spears 20 (5)
2024- Urayasu D-Rocks 0 (0)
Correct as of 28 August 2023
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2016– Japan 19 (0)
2023 Japan XV 1 (0)
Correct as of 28 August 2023

Tauate Valu Uwe Helu (ヘル ウヴェ, Heru Uvu~e, born 12 July 1990) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for Japan Rugby League One club Kubota Spears. Born in Tonga, he represents Japan at international level after qualifying on residency grounds. [1] [2] [3]

Contents

Club career

Helu was born in Tonga, attended St Thomas of Canterbury College in Christchurch, New Zealand and then university in Tokyo, Japan. After graduating from university he signed up to play Top League rugby with Yamaha Júbilo in 2014. His appearances were sparse in his first two seasons with Yamaha, but in 2016 he began to be much more of a regular in the side. [4]

International career

After only 13 Top League appearances for Yamaha Júbilo, which included 3 starts, Helu received his first call-up to his adopted country, Japan's senior squad ahead of the 2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals. He debuted as a second-half replacement in new head coach, Jamie Joseph's first game, a 54–20 loss at home to Argentina. [1]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Uwe Helu ESPN Scrum Player Profile". ESPN. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  2. "Uwe Helu Top League Player Profile" (in Japanese). Top League. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  3. "Uwe Helu Yamaha Jubilo Player Profile" (in Japanese). Yamaha Motors. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  4. "Uwe Helu itsrugby Player Statistics". itsrugby. Retrieved 8 November 2016.