Tinirau Arona

Tinirau Arona
Personal information
Nickname T
Born 8 May 1989
Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
Height 185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 106 kg (16 st 10 lb)
Playing information
Position Prop, Lock, Second-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2011–13 Sydney Roosters 36 3 0 0 12
2014– Cronulla-Sutherland 27 3 0 0 12
Total 63 6 0 0 24
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2006–13 Cook Islands 9 1 0 0 4
Source: RLP

Tinirau Arona is a New Zealand rugby league player of Cook Island descent who currently plays for Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the NRL. Arona plays at prop, second-row and lock. Arona is a Cook Islands international.[1]

Background

Born in Dunedin, New Zealand, Arona moved to Sydney, New South Wales as a 11 year old and played his junior football for the St Clair Comets before being signed by the Penrith Panthers.[2] Arona is cousins with Penrith Panthers and Cook Islands representative player Tupou Sopoaga.[3]

Playing career

In October 4 2006, Arona made his international debut for the Cook Islands national rugby league team as a 17 year old, playing off the interchange bench and scored the Cook Islands only try in the 46-6 loss to the Samoa national rugby league team.[4] In October 2009, Arona played 2 matches for the Cook Islands national rugby league team in the Pacific Cup.[5] Arona played in the Penrith Panthers NYC team in 2008-2009[6] before moving on to play for the Sydney Roosters NSW Cup team the Newtown Jets in 2010 where Arona was awarded the club's best and fairest and best forward.[7] Earning himself a contract with the Sydney Roosters.

Sydney Roosters 2011-2013

2011

In Round 4 of the 2011 NRL season, Arona made his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters, playing off the interchange bench in the Roosters 24-6 win against the Wests Tigers at SFS.[8] Arona finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 13 matches for the Sydney Roosters in the 2011 NRL season. On 3 November 2011 The annual RLIF Awards dinner was held at the Tower of London and Arona was named Cook Islands' player of the year.[9]

2012

In Round 9 against the Newcastle Knights at SFS, Arona scored his first NRL career try in the Roosters 24-6 win.[10] Arona finished the 2012 NRL season with him playing in 20 matches and scoring 3 tries (12p) for the Sydney Roosters.

2013

In July 2013, Arona represented the NSW Residents side.[11] Arona finished the 2013 NRL season with him playing in 3 matches for the Sydney Roosters. Arona was part of the Cook Islands national rugby league team that participated in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup playing at lock in all 3 matches for the Cook Islands.[12] On December 6 2013, Arona signed with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks after getting released from his contract with the Sydney Roosters.[13]

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 2014-

2014

In Round 1 of the 2014 NRL season, Arona made his National Rugby League Premiership debut for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, scoring a try in the Sharks 18-12 loss to the Gold Coast Titans at Remondis Stadium.[14] Arona finished his first year with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the 2014 NRL season with him playing in 21 matches and scoring 3 tries (12p).

References

  1. ↑ "Tinirau Arona". Newtown Jets. 2010. Retrieved 09-03-2010. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  2. ↑ http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/after-heading-east-for-new-turf-young-rooster-has-his-hands-full/story-fnca0von-1226444275150?nk=cb04980ce02ce836252030daa4dca687
  3. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/cronulla-sharks-cousins-tinirau-arona-and-tupou-sopoaga-ready-to-take-on-nrl/story-fni3gol8-1226849555071
  4. ↑ http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/world-cup-qualifiers-2006/game-4/samoa-vs-cook-islands.html
  5. ↑ http://m.nrl.com/samoa-and-cook-islands-announce-squads/tabid/10874/newsid/57091/default.aspx
  6. ↑ http://rleague.com/players/Tinirau-Arona_2005/Matches/
  7. ↑ http://www.newtownjets.com/pastSeasons/2010-news/2010-news-Newtown-Awards-Night-300910.php
  8. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/sydney-roosters-take-on-the-injury-hit-wests-tigers-in-a-game-of-old-rivals-at-the-sfs/story-fn2mcuj6-1226032835413?nk=cb04980ce02ce836252030daa4dca687
  9. ↑ "Slater scoops player award". Sky Sports. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  10. ↑ http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/pearce-takes-roosters-to-top-eight-spot-in-24-6-win-over-knights/story-fnca0von-1226348048845Arona
  11. ↑ http://www.mightybears.com/viewtopic.php?p=37648&sid=0faa2cba6535bcc78adb2a043cbb89ff
  12. ↑ http://www.rlwc2013.com/player/475
  13. ↑ Arona, Tinirau. "TINIRAU ARONA MOVES TO THE CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS". Zero Tackle. Personal Tweet. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  14. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/paul-gallen-injures-ankle-in-gold-coast-titans-1812-upset-of-cronulla-sharks-on-monday/story-fni3fbgz-1226850648399

External links