SPORTS IN SOUTH AUCKLAND
Super Rugby Samoans by Seulupe Falaniko Tominiko
Over the years, South Auckland has been a breeding ground for many international and Super Rugby Samoan players. Legends like Papali’i Peter Fatialofa, Frank Bunce, Tu Nu’uali’itia, Junior Paramore, Afa Leu’u, Lino Foa’i, Dylan Mika, George Leaupepe, Orene Ai’i, Loki Chrichton, Casey Laulala, Bradley Mika, , Junior Poluleuligaga, Isaia Toeava, Jonathan Faamatuainu, Sherwin Stowers, Tim Nanai-Williams and recently retired Kevin Mealamu have all cut their rugby teeth in South Auckland at one time or another. South Auckland is never short of rugby talent and with the Samoan population making up the majority of the area’s population, South Auckland can unofficially claim itself as the Samoan rugby capital of the world.
The launch of the Super Rugby season starts this week with the Auckland Blues taking on the defending champions, the Otago Highlanders. With a new coach at the helm, Samoan rugby legend Tana Umaga, the Auckland Blues will be a team to watch this year. There is also a good representation of South Auckland Samoans in the squad. The side is once again captained by Jerome Kaino and includes fellow All Blacks Charlie Faumuina and Steven Luatua. Other young Samoan players in the squad from South Auckland are Patrick Tuipolotu, George Moala, Melani Nanai and Male Sa’u.
Kaino, the most experienced of the bunch heads into this season with 106 games for the Blues, and 67 All Black tests under his belt. This includes two Rugby World Cup Championships with the All Black in 2011 & 2015. Veteran prop Faumuina provides leadership and experience to the squad with 73 appearances for the Blues, and 33 tests for the All Blacks. He was also a member of the World Cup winning 2015 All Black Squad. Luatua who has been unfortunate with injuries enters the season with 48 appearances and 17 tests for the Blues and All Blacks respectively. Both Pulotu and Moala have had plenty of experience in the Blues jersey with 49 and 41 appearances respectively, while Nanai has turned out 13 times for the franchise. Sa’u is a new addition to the squad but has had plenty of rugby experience, having represented the Japanese national rugby team 26 times in 2013, and also played 8 games for the Melbourne Rebels in 2014. These six South Auckland Samoan players have collectively played a total of 330 games for the Blues, compared with only 284 games played collectively by the remaining 35 members of the squad. This statistic alone illustrates the experience and leadership that the Samoan South Auckland players bring to the 2016 Auckland Blues squad.
Ia pouliuli outou tino, ia malamalama outou mata, ia tafetoto outou ala – Good luck boys!
Over the years, South Auckland has been a breeding ground for many international and Super Rugby Samoan players. Legends like Papali’i Peter Fatialofa, Frank Bunce, Tu Nu’uali’itia, Junior Paramore, Afa Leu’u, Lino Foa’i, Dylan Mika, George Leaupepe, Orene Ai’i, Loki Chrichton, Casey Laulala, Bradley Mika, , Junior Poluleuligaga, Isaia Toeava, Jonathan Faamatuainu, Sherwin Stowers, Tim Nanai-Williams and recently retired Kevin Mealamu have all cut their rugby teeth in South Auckland at one time or another. South Auckland is never short of rugby talent and with the Samoan population making up the majority of the area’s population, South Auckland can unofficially claim itself as the Samoan rugby capital of the world.
The launch of the Super Rugby season starts this week with the Auckland Blues taking on the defending champions, the Otago Highlanders. With a new coach at the helm, Samoan rugby legend Tana Umaga, the Auckland Blues will be a team to watch this year. There is also a good representation of South Auckland Samoans in the squad. The side is once again captained by Jerome Kaino and includes fellow All Blacks Charlie Faumuina and Steven Luatua. Other young Samoan players in the squad from South Auckland are Patrick Tuipolotu, George Moala, Melani Nanai and Male Sa’u.
Kaino, the most experienced of the bunch heads into this season with 106 games for the Blues, and 67 All Black tests under his belt. This includes two Rugby World Cup Championships with the All Black in 2011 & 2015. Veteran prop Faumuina provides leadership and experience to the squad with 73 appearances for the Blues, and 33 tests for the All Blacks. He was also a member of the World Cup winning 2015 All Black Squad. Luatua who has been unfortunate with injuries enters the season with 48 appearances and 17 tests for the Blues and All Blacks respectively. Both Pulotu and Moala have had plenty of experience in the Blues jersey with 49 and 41 appearances respectively, while Nanai has turned out 13 times for the franchise. Sa’u is a new addition to the squad but has had plenty of rugby experience, having represented the Japanese national rugby team 26 times in 2013, and also played 8 games for the Melbourne Rebels in 2014. These six South Auckland Samoan players have collectively played a total of 330 games for the Blues, compared with only 284 games played collectively by the remaining 35 members of the squad. This statistic alone illustrates the experience and leadership that the Samoan South Auckland players bring to the 2016 Auckland Blues squad.
Ia pouliuli outou tino, ia malamalama outou mata, ia tafetoto outou ala – Good luck boys!