Andrew Suniula

Andrew Suniula
Date of birth (1982-05-01) May 1, 1982
Place of birth American Samoa
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 102 kg (16 st 1 lb; 225 lb)
Rugby league career
Position(s) Second-row, Wing, Centre
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007–2009 Manly Sea Eagles 4 (12)
Correct as of 30 December 2017
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre, Wing
Current team Austin Elite
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2005–2006 Taranaki 11 (5)
2011–2012 Cornish Pirates 15 (15)
2013–2014 Wasps 5 (0)
2015 București 6 (5)
2016 San Diego Breakers 9 (5)
2018– Austin Elite 0 (0)
Correct as of 30 December 2017
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008–2016 United States 43 (35)
Correct as of 30 December 2017

Andrew Suniula (born 1 May 1982)[1] is a rugby football player who has played professional rugby league and currently plays rugby union for the United States national team at centre.

Suniula is currently signed to the Austin Elite Major League Rugby team.

Early years

Suniula began playing professional rugby union with Taranaki during the 2005–06 season, playing in eight times for the club.

Rugby league

Suniula switched to play rugby league for the Auckland Lions in the 2007 Bartercard Cup, scoring a try in the Grand Final. There he was spotted by Noel Cleal and signed by Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.[2] Suniula played for Manly in the NRL. Suniula played wing, centre and second row in rugby league.[2]

Rugby union

Suniula with the US in the 2010 Churchill Cup

After four years in rugby league, Suniula returned to union with the Chicago Griffins in 2010. The following season he joined RFU Championship side Cornish Pirates, appearing 16 times for the club during the 2011–12 season. Suniula returned to Chicago Griffins the following season before joining his first top flight professional rugby union side when he signed for the London Wasps for the 2013–14 season.[3] He made five appearances for the club during his brief one-year stint. Suniula joined CSM București for the 2015 Romanian Rugby Championship season.[4]

International career

Suniula has represented the United States in rugby union since 2008 and played in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.[5]

Personal life

His brothers, Roland and Shalom, have also represented the United States in rugby union.[6] Suniula has been tattooed by internationally renowned artist Steve Ma Ching, who also tattooed rugby players DJ Forbes and Sonny Bill Williams.[7]

References

  1. ↑ http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/suniula-powers-his-way-into-top-squad/
  2. 1 2 "League: Suniula thanks 'Crusher' for Sea Eagles break". Otago Daily Times. 19 March 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  3. ↑ "Andrew Suniula Not Returning To Wasps". tiar. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  4. ↑ "Andrew Suniula Joins CSM Bucuresti". TIAR. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 March 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
  6. ↑ Kiwi gets contract with US sevens The Western Leader, 9 February 2012
  7. ↑ "Sonny Bill's West Auckland 'tattoo brother' ready to face All Blacks". ONE News. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
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