Shalom Suniula
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| Date of birth | June 5, 1988 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | American Samoa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 190 lb (13 st 8 lb; 86 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Shalom Suniula (born June 5, 1988, in American Samoa) is an American rugby player. He plays halfback (scrumhalf and flyhalf) for the United States national rugby sevens team and has represented the US in the IRB Sevens World Series since 2008.[1] Suniula is a talented play maker who is known for his dangerous side step.[2]
Early life
Born in American Samoa, Suniula migrated to New Zealand at a young age, and attended Kelston Boys' High School. In 2004 he was selected for the New Zealand Junior Kiwis rugby league team.[3] and also played for Souths Logan Magpies in the QLD Cup.[4]
National team
Suniula is among the leading active American rugby sevens players on the IRB Sevens World Series circuit in several major statistical categories, including appearances, points scored and goals kicked. For the 2011-12 IRB Sevens World Series, Suniula was selected to be captain of the team.
Suniula made his debut for the United States national rugby sevens team at the NAWIRA RWC 7s Qualifier in fall 2008, and became a regular for the US during the 2008-09 IRB Sevens World Series.[5] Suniula played for the US at the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens. Suniula was the only US player to participate in every tournament during the 2009-10 IRB Sevens World Series tournament.[6]
Suniula also represented the United States at the 2011 Pan American Games, where Suniula and his teammates earned a bronze medal.
Other Achievements
Suniula played his club rugby for Belmont Shore, and was named MVP as Belmont Shore won the USA Rugby Men's Club Sevens Championship in 2011.[7]
Shalom Suniula is the brother of Andrew Suniula and Roland Suniula, who are both also rugby players who have played for the United States national teams.
References
- ↑ USA Rugby, National 7s Team Tournament Appearances, http://web.usarugby.org/cgi-bin/viadesto/natteams/mnt/7Appearances.pl?playerId=441
- ↑ Ultimate Rugby Sevens, Dallen's USA Eagles Preview, Nov. 29, 2010, http://ur7s.com/news/blogumnist/dallen-stanford
- ↑ SS Management
- ↑ http://www.leagueunlimited.com/dragons/news.php?newsid=16785
- ↑ USA Rugby, Men's National Team 7s Appearances, http://web.usarugby.org/cgi-bin/viadesto/natteams/mnt/7Appearances.pl?playerId=441
- ↑ RugbyUSA, "Shalom Suniula - finesse in a jungle of dinosaurs," March 1, 2011, http://usrugbynz.com/2011/03/01/shalom-suniula-finesse-in-a-jungle-of-dinosaurs/
- ↑ RugbyRugby, "Berkeley & Belmont Reign Supreme at Club Sevens," August 8, 2011, http://rugbyrugby.com/news/by_country/u_s/6993083/berkeley_belmont_reign_supreme_at_club_sevens