Josh Aloiai
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Aloiai playing for the Eels' NYC team in 2014. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born |
11 November 1995 Auckland, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 110 kg (17 st 5 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Prop, Second-row, Lock | |||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 2 April 2017 Source: [1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Josh Aloiai (born 11 November 1995) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League. He plays at second-row.
Background
Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Aloiai is of Samoan descent and played his junior rugby league for the Glenora Bears, before being signed by the Parramatta Eels.
Playing career
Early career
In 2014 and 2015, Aloiai played for the Parramatta Eels' NYC team.[2] On 18 October 2014, he played for the Junior Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos.[3] His 2015 season was hampered by injury. He said, "I was running and as I was getting tackled my hip subluxed and it the process fractured my posterior wall of my hip."[4] On 11 November, he signed a 1-year contract with the Wests Tigers starting in 2016.[5]
2016
Despite missing the pre-season with his hip injury, Aloiai made his NRL debut in round 1 against the New Zealand Warriors, playing off the interchange bench in the Tigers' 34-26 win at Campbelltown Stadium.[6][7] He re-signed with the club for a further season soon after.[8]
Playing as a reserve in the early weeks of the season, Aloiai progressed to the starting team from round 11 onward. He was the first Wests Tigers player to appear in every game of their rookie season. He said, "This year has definitely exceeded my expectations. I just feel really thankful and blessed how the year's gone."[4]
2017
Suffering a broken jaw 3 weeks into the pre-season during a training session at the beach, Aloiai was hospitalised for a short time. He said, "I just copped a bit of a shot in the jaw and got a few breaks. I had surgery that week. After the Christmas break I should be practically be into everything."[9] He signed a extension to the end of 2019 in January, saying, "It's a privilege to be able to live my dream – the players that we have here have pretty much become my brothers and we also have quality staff at the club."[10]
Personal life
Aloiai is a devout Christian. "I think the sport they play in heaven is rugby league. I reckon God loves it. A big part of what I'm trying to do now is incorporate my faith into my footy, a lot of people don't understand how that works but it works awesome for me. God has given me a gift so I'm trying to use it is through rugby league and glorify his name," he has said.[11]
References
- ↑ "Josh Aloiai - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. 1995-11-11. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
- ↑ "A". Nyc Database. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
- ↑ "2014 JUNIOR KIWIS TEAM ANNOUNCED". Rugbyleagueweek.com.au. 2014-10-10. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
- 1 2 Chris Kennedy. "Tigers cub set for new rookie record". nrl.com.
- ↑ "Wests Tigers sign Junior Kiwi". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
- ↑ "Updated: Round 1 NRL team lists". NRL.com. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
- ↑ NRL. "Late Changes: NRL Round 1 vs. Warriors - Tigers". Weststigers.com.au. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
- ↑ "Aloiai re-signs with Wests Tigers". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
- ↑ Chris Kennedy. "Broken jaw gives Aloiai timely perspective". nrl.com.
- ↑ "Aloiai re-signs with Wests Tigers". nrl.com.
- ↑ Adrian Proszenko. "Sorry rugby but it's NRL they play in heaven, says Wests Tigers rookie Josh Aloiai". Sydney Morning Herald.