Sona Taumalolo
 | |||
| France vs Tonga during 2011 Rugby World Cup | |||
| Full name | Faka'ānaua ki 'Alisona Taumalolo, also known as Arizona Taumalolo, formerly known as Sona Tafuna | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 13 November 1981 | ||
| Place of birth | Ha'akame, Tonga[1] | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Weight | 112 kg (247 lb) | ||
| School | Tupou College, Tonga | ||
| Notable relative(s) | Ben Tameifuna (nephew) | ||
| Occupation(s) | Professional rugby union player | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | loosehead prop | ||
| Professional / senior clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2012–2014 2014 |
Perpignan Racing Métro |
48 | (20) |
| correct as of 7 July 2014. | |||
| Provincial/State sides | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2005–11 | Hawke's Bay | 45 | (60) |
| Super Rugby | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2009–12 | Chiefs | 52 | (75) |
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2011– | Tonga | 13 | (20) |
| correct as of 7 July 2014. | |||
Sona Taumalolo (born 13 November 1981) is a Tongan born New Zealand-based rugby union player.[1] He plays internationally for Tonga and for USAP in the Top 14. His position of choice is loose-head prop. He is known for his aggressive style of play both in ball carrying and tackling.
Early life
Sona Taumalolo was born in Tonga and attended Tupou College. In 2001, he emigrated to New Zealand. In 2005, he made his debut for Hawke's Bay. He was initially selected for Hawke's Bay from Clive Rugby Football Club.[1]
Super Rugby
In 2009, Taumalolo made his Super Rugby debut for the Chiefs against the Crusaders.[2]
By Round 16 of the 2012 Super Rugby season Taumalolo had scored eight tries in the competition, twice as many as any other forward.[3] He is sometimes associated with the chant "He scores when he wants!"[4]
At the end of the 2012 season, Taumalolo joined USA Perpignan for the 2012–13 season.
International
On 2 July 2011, Taumalolo made his international debut for Tonga against Fiji in the 2011 IRB Pacific Nations Cup. In the first game of the Rugby World Cup 2011 versus New Zealand, Taumalolo scored his country's only try in a 41–10 loss.[5]
All Teams
- Tonga Under-19 Representative 2000[1]
- Auckland Under-21 Representative
- Hawke's Bay 2005–12
- Chiefs 2009–12
- Tonga 2011–present
- USA Perpignan 2012–current
Relatives & personal life
Taumalolo is married and has two children. His nephew Ben Tameifuna is also a prop for Chiefs. In July 2012, with hooker Mahonri Schwalger from Samoa, the two props combined for 60 minutes to help the Chiefs beat the Crusaders 20–17, at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.[6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Hurndell, Shane (30 July 2005). "There's only one Arizona". Hawkes Bay Today. APN Holdings. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
- ↑ "Sona-Taumalolo". NZRU. 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
- ↑ "Try Scorers". SARU. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
- ↑ Anderson, Ian (16 April 2012). "Taumalolo plays battering ram in Chiefs win". Rugby Heaven. Fairfax. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
- ↑ Standley, James. "Rugby World Cup 2011: Tonga 10-41 New Zealand". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
- ↑ "Match Breakdown: Chiefs vs Crusaders". SA Rugby. SARU. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
External links
| ||||||||||||||
| ||||||