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 is currently playing both first five-eighths and second five-eighths (inside centre) for the Chiefs in 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] 2007 Rugby Season

[edit] 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 indicated the possibility of developing Lavea and Stephen Donald's roles in the team to create a 10/12 combination. Lavea was also enthusiastic about playing for a new team[1].

[edit] Pre-season

The Chiefs won 31-17 against the Hurricanes on Thursday 18 January 2007. Lavea was not initially named for this match because of a minor calf strain, but made a quick recovery and saw some game time in the second half.

[edit] Week 1

The first match of the Chiefs' 2007 Super 14 campaign was a home game against the Brumbies (Saturday 3 February 2007). Starting on the bench at No.21, Lavea substituted on at second five-eighths for Tane Tu'ipulotu in the final quarter.

Unfortunately, Lavea also injured his left knee in his Chiefs debut. MRI revealed a strained medial collateral ligament that was thought would keep him sidelined for at least six weeks[2].

[edit] Week 7

Lavea recovered from the knee injury after five weeks and resumed full contact training with the team during the build-up to the Chiefs' week 7 clash with the Lions (Friday 16 March 2007). He started the match at second five-eighths[3] and shifted to first five-eighths for the final quarter. The Donald-Lavea five-eighth combination proved to be effective, with the former scoring a brace of tries in the Chiefs' 34 - 7 victory. Stephen Donald stated that having Lavea at second five-eighths allowed him to "have a crack", knowing that the next phase would be covered[4]. Lavea made good use of tactical kicking throughout the match.

This was Lavea's first starting position with the Chiefs[5].

[edit] Week 8

Lavea remained at second five-eighths for the entire match against the Reds (Saturday 24 March 2007), which the Chiefs narrowly won 21 - 19. This victory has kept the Chiefs' semifinal hopes alive.

[edit] Week 9

The Chiefs have a home game against the neighbouring Blues on Saturday 31 March 2007. In this match-up against Lavea's old Super Rugby team, he will again be starting at second five-eighths.

[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 sustained a calf injury 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)[6], Lavea controlled the game expertly. He found space with his kicking game, set up an impressive manoeuvre for Isaia Toeava, and ran 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.

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 signified his possible allegiance to Manu Samoa in the future. At the time, Lavea stated that he felt it was time for him to take control of the future of his rugby career, and that opportunities lay with playing for the Pacific Islanders. If 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 [7]. 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 [8]. 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.

Whether Lavea will yet play for Manu Samoa is currently unknown.

[edit] Profile

Positions: First five-eighths (fly-half), Second five-eighths (inside centre)

Height: 176cm

Weight: 89kg

Date of birth: 10 January 1980

Place of birth: Taihape, New Zealand


Super Rugby Caps: 22 (Blues 19, Chiefs 3)

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

Blues Debut: 2004 vs Reds

Chiefs Debut: 2007 vs Brumbies


Provincial Caps: 34

Provincial Points: 35 (7 tries)

Auckland Debut: 2003 vs Waikato


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.
  • Previously had long hair for several years. It was held back with a headband during games (also sometimes done 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 (born 2001).
  • Has a twin brother named Tai, who also played rugby league in Australia around the same time period. Tasesa is the older twin.
  • Is currently studying a Diploma of Business.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Lavea keen for resurgence at Chiefs
  2. ^ Lavea out for six weeks
  3. ^ Lavea fast-tracked back from injury to fill midfield spot
  4. ^ Chiefs win at last
  5. ^ Lavea Gets First Chiefs Starting Spot
  6. ^ Lavea Looks Forward
  7. ^ Tasesa's poser - to tour or not to tour?
  8. ^ Tusi Pisi called into Pacific Islanders

[edit] See also



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