Viliami Taulani

Last updated

Viliami Taulani
Date of birth (1997-01-17) 17 January 1997 (age 27)
Place of birth Tonga
Height191 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight118 kg (260 lb; 18 st 8 lb)
SchoolManurewa High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Current team Harlequins
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2016–21 Counties Manukau 20 (10)
2021 Chiefs 2 (0)
2022–2023 Harlequins 12 (10)
2022 →London Scottish 1 (0)
Correct as of 5 Mar 2022
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2021– Tonga 4 (5)
Correct as of 14 Jul 2021

Viliami Taulani (born 17 January 1997) [1] is a Tongan rugby union player who plays for Harlequins in the Premiership Rugby. His playing position is flanker.

Contents

Early life

Taulani was educated in New Zealand at Manurewa High School in the southern suburbs of Auckland. [2] He played with the school team, playing in the local high school championship, and was one of the most prominent players. [2] [3] He was part of his school's first team, which won the Auckland Championship in 2015. [4] He also played rugby sevens with his team. [5]

Career

Club

After completing his schooling, he played with Patumahoe RFC in the Counties Manukau Rugby Championship. [6] [7] At the same time, he represented the Counties Manukau province under-19 team. [7] [8] He also played with the Under-20 team, then the Development team, of the Chiefs franchise in 2016. [9] [10]

The 19-year-old was retained in the Counties Manukau senior roster for the 2016 National Provincial Championship (NPC) season. [2] [11] He played his first match at the professional level on 18 August 2016 against North Harbor. [12] He played five games in his first season, all as a substitute. [6]

Taulani played little with Counties Manukau in the 2017 and 2018 NPC seasons (two and three games played respectively), before finally breaking through in the 2020 season. [6]

After this first full season at provincial level, he played the pre-season of Super Rugby with the Chiefs franchise, and he was aligned in friendly matches. [13] Later in the season, he was granted a short-term contract with his team, following several injuries in the workforce. [14] He played his first game in Super Rugby Aotearoa on 1 May 2021, against the Blues. [15] He played a second match a month later, during the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman , against the Waratahs. [16]

In August 2021 he joined Harlequins in the Premiership Rugby ahead of the 2021-22 season. [17] [18] [19] He played twelve games in his first season, mostly in a back- up role for England international Alex Dombrandt. [20] He also played one game with Harlequins partner club London Scottish in the Second Division. [20] [21]

In the 2023 NPC season proudly back in the hoops for the Counties Manukau Steelers.

International

Taulani was selected for the first time with the Tonga team in June 2021. [22] He earned his first cap against New Zealand on 3 July 2021 in Auckland. [23] [24] He then played the double confrontation against Samoa, then the match against the Cook Islands, all in the context of qualifying for the 2023 World Cup. [25]

Related Research Articles

Pita Faiva-ki-moana Alatini is a former professional rugby union footballer who played as a midfield back. Although he was born in Tonga, he played in 17 tests for New Zealand between 1999 and 2001, scoring six test tries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sika Manu</span> New Zealand and Tonga international rugby league footballer

Viliami Sikalamu "Sika" Manu is a former professional rugby league footballer who played as a second-row forward for Tonga and New Zealand at international level, being a member of the World Cup winning Kiwi team who beat Australia in the 2008 World Cup Final.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sekope Kepu</span> Rugby player

Sekope Kepu is a retired Australian professional rugby union player. He is a prop and last played for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby in 2024. He has previously played for Australian club New South Wales Waratahs, the French club Bordeaux, and London Irish. He also plays for Australia's Wallabies in international matches. Kepu made his international debut for Australia in 2008 and has been a regular in match-day squads ever since, now having played over 100 tests. Kepu is the most-capped prop to ever play for the Wallabies and is also one of the most-capped rugby players in history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siale Piutau</span> Rugby player

Siale Piutau is a rugby union player who currently plays as a centre for Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks in the Japan Rugby League One. Although born and educated in New Zealand, he represented Tonga internationally from 2011 to 2019, winning 43 caps. Piutau was Tonga's captain for the 2019 Rugby World Cup and retired from international rugby after a win against the USA.

The Counties Manukau Rugby Football Union (CMRFU) is the governing body of rugby union in Southern Auckland and the Franklin district of New Zealand. Nicknamed the Steelers, their colours are red, white, and black horizontal bands. The Steelers moniker is a reference to the Glenbrook steel factory, which is in the area. The union is based in Pukekohe, and plays at Navigation Homes Stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bundee Aki</span> Rugby player

Fua Leiofi Bundellu Aki is a professional rugby union player who plays as a centre for United Rugby Championship club Connacht. Born in New Zealand, he represents Ireland at international level after qualifying on residency grounds. He became an Irish citizen in 2024, and maintains dual citizenship. He has one cap for the British and Irish Lions.

Maama Vaipulu is a New Zealand rugby player of Tongan descent. He represented Counties Manukau and the Chiefs in New Zealand and Tonga on an international level. Currently he plays in the number 8 and occasionally flanker position for the France based Top 14 side, Castres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Finlay Christie</span> NZ international rugby union player

Finlay Turner Christie is a Scotland born, New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a halfback for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC and the Blues in Super Rugby. Born in Scotland, he represents New Zealand at international level after qualifying on residency grounds.

George Edward Leaupepe is a Samoan rugby union player. He plays as a centre.

Bailyn Sullivan is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a midfield back or wing for Waikato in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship and for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby.

Samiuela Moli is a New Zealand born Tongan rugby union player who plays for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC and Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. His position is Hooker. Born in New Zealand, he represents Tonga at international level after qualifying on ancestry grounds.

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.

Alamanda Lolo Motuga is a professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Super Rugby club Moana Pasifika. Born in New Zealand, he represents Samoa at international level after qualifying on ancestry grounds.

Samuel Vinsene Slade is a professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for Super Rugby club Moana Pasifika. Born in New Zealand, he represents Samoa at international level after qualifying on ancestry grounds.

William L. Havili is a New Zealand born Tongan rugby union player who plays as a first five-eighth for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby and Tasman in the Bunnings NPC.

'Api Kakalaia Solomone Funaki is a Tongan rugby union player, who currently plays as a loose forward for Dragons RFC in the United Rugby Championship and European Rugby Challenge Cup. He previously played for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby and Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition. He represents Tonga internationally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Auckland Rugby League season</span>

The 2022 Auckland Rugby League season is its 114th season since the founding of the Auckland Rugby League in 1909. Point Chevalier Pirates won the Fox Memorial Shield for the 6th time with a 14–12 win over the Glenora Bears.

Lavinia Tauhalaliku is a Tongan professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL Women's Premiership.

Viliami Napa'a is a Tongan rugby union player who plays for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC and Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. His position is Lock.

Nikolai Foliaki is a Tongan rugby union player, currently playing for the Force and Counties Manukau. His preferred position is centre.

References

  1. ↑ "Viliami Taulani". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 "Rugby: Counties Steelers name injury-depleted squad". New Zealand Herald. 25 July 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  3. ↑ "Clamour for Kiwi talent in the NRL is HUGE". College Sport Media. 23 June 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  4. ↑ Alan Apted (20 August 2015). "SPORT: Manurewa High School rules". Stuff. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  5. ↑ "Rugby Sevens Champs". Manurewa High School. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 "Viliame T H Taulani". New Zealand Rugby History. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  7. 1 2 "Junior Counties Cavaliers set to face Fiji Under 20s". New Zealand Herald. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  8. ↑ "Counties Manukau U19 side named to defend the Micheal Jones memorial trophy". Counties Manukau. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  9. ↑ "Counties Manukau Academy Players named in Chiefs U20 team!". Counties Manukau. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  10. ↑ "HONG KONG RUGBY UNION WELCOMES CHIEFS DEVELOPMENT SQUAD". HKRU. 15 April 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  11. ↑ Alan Apted (27 July 2016). "Sport: Injuries hobble Steelers before NPC season even gets underway". Stuff. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  12. ↑ "Rugby: 11 players to make Mitre 10 Cup debut for Counties Manukau". New Zealand Herald. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  13. ↑ "McKenzie to play pivotal role for Chiefs". Rugby365. 19 February 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  14. ↑ "Gallagher Chiefs named to face the Blues at Eden Park" (Press release). Chiefs. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  15. ↑ "Messam named on bench as Chiefs prepare for Blues at Eden Park". Super Rugby. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  16. ↑ "Chiefs add to Waratahs' misery". Rugby365. 12 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  17. ↑ "VILIAMI TAULANI SIGNS FOR HARLEQUINS". Quins. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  18. ↑ "Viliami Taulani: Harlequins sign Tonga forward from Waikato Chiefs". BBC Sport. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  19. ↑ "Harlequins announce capture of Viliami Taulani from Chiefs". The Rugby Paper. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  20. 1 2 "Viliami TAULANI". Its Rugby. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  21. ↑ "London Scottish make five changes for Ealing clash". London Scottish. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  22. ↑ "Tonga names 15 new caps to face All Blacks, Samoa". RNZ. 18 June 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  23. ↑ "Tongan debutants excited for international debut against All Blacks". RNZ. 1 July 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  24. ↑ "International men of mystery — just who are these Tongans facing the All Blacks?". Stuff. 3 July 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  25. ↑ "Viliami Taulani Tonga". ESPN Scrum. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.