| Date of birth | 2 March 1979 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Place of birth | Tonga | ||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||
| Weight | 272 lb (123 kg) | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Flanker, Number Eight, Wing, Centre | ||
| Professional / senior clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 1998-2005 2005-2006 |
Newcastle Sale Sanyo Sharks Harlequins Racing Métro London Welsh |
68 5 2 |
(30) (0) (0) |
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 1999-2009 2006-2008 |
Tonga Pacific Islanders |
18 6 |
(10) (5) |
Epi Taione (a.k.a Paddy Power) (born 2 March 1979) was a Tongan rugby union footballer whose last club was London Welsh. He normally played at centre but could cover the wing or back row.
At 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) tall and 19 stone 6 pounds (123 kg) he was for his positions.
He started his career at the Newcastle Falcons. In the summer of 2005 he joined Sale Sharks on a two year contract. However, his contract was cancelled when he was banned for biting. After his ban he went to Japan to play for the Sanyo Wild Knights.
Taione controversially changed his name to Paddy Power for the duration of the 2007 Rugby World Cup in a sponsorship deal agreed with the Irish bookmaker.[1]
He then went to play for the Natal Sharks, but in the 2008 Super 14 season he was suspended for six weeks after headbutting a Wellington Hurricanes player,[2]and was also suspended for two weeks in the IRB Pacific 5 Nations after dangerously tackling New Zealand Maori Number Eight, Tom Waldrom.[3]His next move was to Harlequins but received little playing time so moved on to French side Racing Métro 92 in 2009. In 2010 he joined London Welsh.
He played for Tonga at the 1999 Rugby World Cup and the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He also played for the Pacific Islanders.
Taione was forced to retire in December 2011 due to a serious knee injury.[4]
In 2009, Taione had a small role in the film Invictus.[5][6]
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