| Full name | Soane Tonga'uiha | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 21 January 1982 | ||
| Place of birth | Houma, Tonga | ||
| Height | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||
| Weight | 126 kg (19 st 12 lb) [1] | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Prop | ||
| Professional / senior clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2004–2005 2005–2006 2006– |
Auckland Bedford Blues Northampton Saints |
129 |
(85) |
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2004- 2004 & 2008 |
Tonga Pacific Islanders |
12 3 |
(0) (0) |
| correct as of 27 October 2011. | |||
Soane Tonga'uiha (born 21 January 1982) is a Tongan-born, New Zealand-educated, rugby union player. He plays for Northampton Saints and internationally for Tonga. His position of choice is at loose-head prop and sometimes tight-head prop. He is known for his large size and fierce runs.
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Tonga’uiha moved from Tonga to Auckland, New Zealand with his family at the age of eight. At first, in Auckland, he played rugby league. He played rugby union from the age of 15 when he went to St Peter's College, Auckland the same Catholic school attended by Pat Lam who also taught there. In his final year at school in 2000 the team went through the season undefeated, winning the Auckland Championship and the New Zealand First XV Knock out competition. The team was inspired by Pat Lam.[2]
In 2001 Tonga’uiha joined the Ponsonby rugby club in Auckland.
In 2001 Tonga’uiha was selected for the Auckland Colts side, playing one game against Japan. Tonga’uiha was selected for the Auckland team in 2002 and 2003 playing 12 games and scoring one try.
Tonga’uiha was unable to gain a Super 14 contract and therefore looked for opportunities in the English club scene.
He first made his break at Bedford Blues as he shone in the 2005/06 season, helping Bedford to a second-place finish behind rugby giants Harlequins, and a Powergen Trophy final place. This combined with his mobile aggressive ball-carrying caused Northampton Saints to consider using him. He had also scored a try against Saints in Northampton's victory over Bedford Blues in the Powergen Cup game in December 2004.
Tonga'uiha moved to Northampton at the start of the 2006/07 season and at first – being behind Scotland and British and Irish Lions legend Tom Smith- did not have too many starts in the Guinness Premiership. However, in the 2007/08 season, when Saints found themselves in National League 1, he excelled and earned a number of first team appearances as Northampton Saints cruised towards promotion at the end of the season.
This upward trend in performances continued into the 2008/09 season when – combined with Tom Smith's move towards coaching – Tonga'uiha cemented his place in the match-day squad and has had his fair share of appearances in the starting XV.
Tonga'uiha has become something of a crowd favourite at Franklin's Gardens with the nickname 'Tiny' – an ironic take on his size.
On 27 January 2010, it was announced that Tonga'uiha would join Saracens at the start of the 2010/11 season.[3] However, in April 2010, he changed his mind and signed a new three-year contract with the Saints.[4]
Tonga’uiha played for the New Zealand under 19 team in 2001, winning the World Cup.
In 2003 he was selected for the New Zealand under 21 team and again won the applicable age grade World Cup.
Tonga'uiha's international career began in 2004 with selection to the newly formed Pacific Islanders rugby union team, a composite team made up of the best players from Samoa, Fiji and Tonga.
His career stalled after that as being a professional playing in Europe restricted him from summer tests for his native Tonga. His sights had been firmly set on the 2007 Rugby World Cup to be held in France – ensuring his and other seasoned professionals playing Europe's participation.
In 2007, he travelled to France as part of the Tongan national rugby team to take part in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, playing in all four games as Tonga upset the form book, beating the USA and archrivals Samoa and pushing eventual winners South Africa and runners-up England all the way. By the end of the tournament, Tonga'uiha had 7 caps for Tonga.
Tonga'uiha was again part of his country's World Cup squad for the 2011 event, starting in three and featuring in all four of Tonga's matches, including the impressive 19-14 win in their final game over runners-up France[5].
He often returns to Blues' home games at Goldington Road with his family, he is still a favourite figure at the club. Tonga'uiha married his wife Lucy in the summer of 2006. He has a son named Sonny.
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