Vili Helu

Last updated
Vili Helu
Full nameViliame Helu
Date of birth (1996-03-20) 20 March 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth Alamo, California, United States
Height193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight107 kg (236 lb; 16 st 12 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock / Flanker / Number 8
Current team Rugby ATL
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2020–2023 Rugby ATL 44 (20)
2024– San Diego Legion 0 (0)
Correct as of 19 December 2023 [1]
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2022– USA Falcons XV
2022– United States 3 (0)
Correct as of 20 March 2023

Vili Helu (born 20 March 1996) is an American rugby union player, currently playing for Rugby ATL. His preferred position is flanker or number 8, but he can also play as a lock. [2]

Contents

Early career

Helu is from Alamo, California and was selected for Team USA for the Youth Olympic Games. [3] [4] He attended Saint Mary's College of California where he achieved All-American honours. [5]

Professional career

Helu signed for Rugby ATL in 2019 ahead of the 2020 Major League Rugby season. [6] He has remained with the team since. [7]

Helu toured with the USA Falcons XV side to South Africa in 2022. [8] He made his debut for the full United States side in 2022, making his debut against Kenya. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nese Malifa</span> Rugby player

Valenese Malifa is an American rugby union former fly-half. He has now turned his career to professional coaching in the US for Major League Rugby. He assisted Atlanta’s team, Rugby ATL, from 2018-2020 and has since moved to Dallas to coach the Dallas Jackals in their inaugural year. As a professional player, he was a member of the United States national rugby union team from 2007 until 2012, and competed in three Rugby World Cups including participating with the squad at the 2007 Rugby World Cup

Nick Civetta is an American former professional rugby player who last played for Rugby New York of Major League Rugby. He also played internationally for the United States rugby team. He played as a second row.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matías Moroni</span> Argentine rugby union player

Matías Moroni is an Argentine professional rugby union player who plays as a centre was released by Premiership Rugby club Newcastle Falcons at the end of the 23/24 season and the Argentina national team.

Joseph Soosemea Taufeteʻe is an American rugby union player who plays as a hooker and prop for the Houston SaberCats in Major League Rugby (MLR). A converted American football player, Taufeteʻe has also previously represented the United States by serving as captain of the USA Selects. He also plays for the United States national team.

Peter Malcolm is an American rugby union player who plays hooker for the Seattle Seawolves in Major League Rugby (MLR) and the United States men's national team.

Vili Tolutaʻu is an American rugby union player who plays as a forward for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby (MLR). He also represents America playing for the United States men's national team.

Malon Maurice Al-Jiboori is an American rugby union player who plays for the United States men's national rugby sevens team and the United States men's national team (XVs). He currently plays for Ealing Trailfinders and the Houston SaberCats in Major League Rugby (MLR).

Theo Sauder is a Canadian rugby union player that plays fullback and fly-half. He currently plays for the Toronto Arrows in Major League Rugby as well as the Canada national rugby sevens team.

Marcus Tupuola is an American professional rugby union player who plays as a back for the United States national sevens team.

Spencer Jones is a Canadian rugby union player, currently playing for the Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby (MLR) and the Canadian national team. His preferred position is centre.

Niall Saunders is an English rugby union player, currently playing for the Rugby ATL of Major League Rugby (MLR). His preferred position is scrum-half.

Mitch Wilson is an Australian-born American rugby union player, currently playing for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby (MLR). His preferred position is wing or fullback.

Jack Iscaro is an American rugby union player who currently plays for Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby (MLR). His preferred position is prop.

Cory Daniel is an American rugby union player, currently playing for the Old Glory DC. His preferred position is flanker or number 8.

Jason Damm is an American rugby union player, currently playing for Rugby ATL. His preferred position is flanker or number 8.

Ryan Rees is an American rugby union player, currently playing for the Rugby ATL in Major League Rugby (MLR). His preferred position is scrum-half.

Jack McRogers is a Canadian rugby union player, currently playing for the Toronto Arrows in Major League Rugby (MLR). His preferred position is hooker.

Owain Ruttan is a Canadian rugby union player, who plays for the Toronto Arrows in Major League Rugby (MLR). His preferred position is flanker.

Bailey Wilson is an American rugby union player, currently playing for the Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby (MLR). His preferred position is flanker or number 8.

Augusto Böhme is a Chilean rugby union player, currently playing for the New Orleans Gold in Major League Rugby (MLR). His preferred position is hooker.

References

  1. "Vili HELU, Third Row". ITS Rugby. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
  2. "Vili Helu". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  3. "Rugby ATL Re-Signs Vili Helu". DJ Coil Rugby. 14 December 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  4. "Vili Helu". Olympics. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  5. "Men's College Player Of The Week: Vili Helu". Flo Rugby. 1 February 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  6. "Rugby ATL Signs Vili Helu". DJ Coil Rugby. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  7. "Vili Helu". Rugby ATL. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  8. "Cheetahs speed past Falcons". Goff Rugby Report. 14 October 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  9. "USA open RWC repechage with lop-sided win against Kenya". Americas Rugby News. 6 November 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2023.