Tasesa Lavea

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Tasesa Lavea (born 10 January 1980 in Taihape, New Zealand) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer.

He played first five-eighths (fly-half) for the Blues in Super Rugby from 2004 to 2006, and has joined the Chiefs for the 2007 Super 14.

At provincial level, Lavea has played fly-half for Auckland in the Air New Zealand Cup (known pre-2006 as the NPC) since 2003.

Lavea grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, and attended St Kentigern College where he played for three seasons in the First XV. He was an age-group representative between the ages of 14 and 16, and played for both the Auckland and New Zealand Secondary Schools teams in 1998. He also excelled in cricket.

[edit] Switch to Rugby League

Following secondary school, Lavea played for the Junior All Blacks and was then scouted by Melbourne Storm, switching codes to play rugby league in Australia. Thanks to his prodigious goal-kicking skills, in 2000 he was the club's leading points scorer (190 points) and was awarded the NRL Rookie of the Year. He left Melbourne Storm after two seasons and briefly played for the Manly Sea Eagles in 2002.

In 2000 and 2001, Lavea also played 4 test matches for the New Zealand Kiwis in his usual rugby league position of stand-off.

[edit] Return to Rugby Union

After his successful foray into rugby league, Lavea returned to New Zealand in 2003 and switched codes once again to play rugby union. His NPC debut was in that year, against Waikato. He then made his Blues debut in 2004 against the Reds and was part of the Blues for three seasons.

In the 2005 NPC, which was won by Auckland, Lavea gave a notable performance. At that time, many fans and rugby critics alike felt he would possibly be named as an All Black. However, an inconsistent run with the Blues in the 2006 Super 14 has meant that Lavea is still yet to wear the black jersey.

[edit] 2006 Rugby Season

Following a mixed Super 14 season, Lavea was named in the New Zealand Māori rugby union team. Due to an injury sustained in club rugby, he had to withdraw from the team before the Churchill Cup tournament even began. The New Zealand Māori went on to take the title.

[edit] Air New Zealand Cup

Lavea was again selected as Auckland's principal fly-half as the province prepared to defend its title.

[edit] Round One

During Auckland's opening Air New Zealand Cup match against Manawatu (Saturday 29 July 2006), nearly all players suffered sand burns from the appalling ground conditions at FMG Stadium, Palmerston North. It played a part in Lavea's first-half hamstring injury, thereby ruling him out of the playing 22 for Auckland's games against Tasman (Sunday 6 August 2006), Taranaki (Saturday 12 August 2006), and Bay of Plenty (Sunday 20 August 2006).

Lavea recovered to play the full 80 minutes for both the games against Wellington (Saturday 26 August 2006) and North Harbour (Friday 1 September 2006). In the "Battle of the Bridge" (Auckland vs North Harbour) Lavea performed admirably, kicking well to gain territory and making several significant runs.

Auckland had a bye in Week 7 of Round One.

[edit] Round Two

Lavea strained a calf and missed Auckland's first match in Round Two, against Waikato (Saturday 16 September 2006).

Recovering from the minor injury in time to be named in the starting 15 for the match against Otago (Saturday 23 September 2006), Lavea controlled the game expertly, finding space with his kicking game and running in a great solo try off a deft intercept.

The Auckland fly-half also played solidly in the team's last Round Two match, against Canterbury (Saturday 30 September 2006). Auckland was denied a try in the very last play of the match which saw Lavea crash through the posts after a Doug Howlett offload. Controversially, referee Steve Walsh ruled that the pass was forward. Had Auckland been awarded that try, the result would have been a 27-27 draw, or a 29-27 win to Auckland if the conversion was successful. Both situations would have given Auckland the position of top seed going into the playoffs.

[edit] Quarter-finals

Auckland defeated Bay of Plenty for the second time this season in their quarter-final match-up on Saturday 7 October 2006. Lavea received a yellow card for a spear tackle at the start of the final quarter, but played the remainder of the match.

[edit] Semi-finals

Wellington defeated Auckland in the first 2006 Air New Zealand Cup semi-final on Friday 13 October 2006. Auckland's set-piece and handling errors meant Lavea couldn't get enough quality ball to capitalise on his team's expansive style of attack.

[edit] The Pacific Islanders Squad

In September 2006, Lavea was named in the Pacific Islanders rugby union team (representing Samoa) to tour the United Kingdom and Ireland in November 2006. The team played three test matches, against Wales (11 November 2006), Scotland (18 November 2006), and Ireland (26 November 2006).

Although being named in the Pacific Islanders squad did not disqualify Lavea from playing for the All Blacks, the appearance of his name in the squad signifies his possible allegiance to Manu Samoa in the future. Lavea has stated that he feels it's time for him to take control of the future of his rugby career, and that opportunities lie with playing for the Pacific Islanders [1]. Once Lavea plays a test match for Manu Samoa, by IRB regulations he will become ineligible to play for the All Blacks.

In a further development, it is understood that Lavea's contract with the NZRU stipulates his availability for All Blacks selection [2]. Even though recent All Blacks Sitiveni Sivivatu and Sione Lauaki both played for the Pacific Islanders and went on to get the black jersey, new PIRA rules seem to suggest that players can only be included in the Pacific Islanders squad if they declare allegiance to their respective Pacific Island national team (Fiji, Samoa or Tonga).

While the possibility of playing for Samoa in the 2007 Rugby World Cup would be of great appeal to Lavea, declaring himself unavailable for All Blacks selection could be detrimental to his rugby career in New Zealand (because a player that is not NZ-eligible is of less value to the NZRU). At the time Lavea did not comment on whether this would affect his decision to tour.

When the Pacific Islanders squad left for the UK on 2 November 2006, Lavea was not part of the squad. He withdrew from the team because Ian Foster, head coach of the Chiefs, requested for him to stay in New Zealand for pre-season training [3]. Harbour fly-half Tusi Pisi was called in as Lavea's replacement in the touring squad, but Pisi's inclusion is understood not to have disqualified him for future All Blacks selection.

[edit] 2007 Super 14

During the selection process for New Zealand's 2007 Super 14 teams, the Blues made Lavea available in the player draft, along with Auckland fullback Brent Ward and Harbour wing Viliame Waqaseduadua. The neighbouring Chiefs were glad to pick up Lavea for the coming season.

Chiefs head coach Ian Foster has indicated the possibility of developing Lavea and Stephen Donald's roles in the team to create a 10/12 combination [4]. Lavea himself has expressed excitement towards playing for a new team [5].

[edit] Profile

Position: First five-eighth (fly-half)

Height: 176cm

Weight: 89kg

Date of birth: 10 October 1980

Provincial Caps: 35

Provincial Points: 35 (7 tries)

Super Rugby Caps: 21

Super Rugby Points: 30 (3 tries, 3 conversions, 3 penalties)


Rugby League Test Caps: 4

Rugby League Test Points: 48 (3 tries, 18 goals)

[edit] Trivia

  • Has been a professional footballer since the age of 18.
  • Currently has long hair, held back with a headband during games (previously in cornrows or tied backwards).
  • Has several tattoos - on the inner side of his right forearm ("Lavea" in Cursive capitals), on the outer side of his right shoulder (a detailed cross), and on the outer side of his left shoulder ("Sylas" in Blackletter capitals).
  • Has pierced ears.
  • Has a son named Sylas (4 years old).
  • Is currently studying a Diploma of Business.

[edit] External links

[edit] See also


v·d·e
Pacific Islanders - 2006 tour to Great Britain and Ireland squad
Fiji: Seremaia Bai • Rupeni Caucau • Isoa Domalailai • Norman Ligairi • Seru Rabeni • Simon Raiwalui (captain) • Aca Ratouva • Kameli Ratuvou • Mosese Rauluni
Samoa: Loki Crichton • Lome Fa'atau • Census Johnson • Tasesa Lavea (withdrew) • Daniel Leo • Seilala Mapusua • Tusi Pisi • Junior Polu • Mahonri Schwalger • Semo Setiti • Elvis Seveali'i • Sailosi Tagicakibau • Alesana Tuilagi • Henry Tuilagi (withdrew) • Justin Va'a
Tonga: Taufa'ao Felise • Nili Latu • Aleki Lutui • Maama Molitika • Epi Taione • Tevita Taumoepeau • Pila Vaki
Head coach: Pat Lam
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