Willie Isa
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William Isa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born |
1 January 1989 Auckland, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Second-row, Centre, Wing, Loose forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
As of 4 October 2018 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Willie Isa (born 1 January 1989) is a Samoan international rugby league footballer who plays for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League. He plays on the wing or in the centres. He previously played for the Penrith Panthers, Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League, and the Castleford Tigers and the Widnes Vikings in the Super League.
Background
Isa was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and moved to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia as a 1-year-old.
He played his junior rugby league for the St Mary's Saints before being signed by the Penrith Panthers.
Career
Isa previously played one NRL match for the Penrith Panthers, called up unexpectedly at half-time in a NYC game to replace an injured player.[3]
Isa was signed by Melbourne Storm for the 2009 NRL season and he has been compared to the Storm's former star player, Israel Folau.[3]
He was selected in the Samoan squad in 2010.[4]
On 16 December 2010, it was announced that Isa had signed for Castleford on a 12-month contract, Castleford coach Terry Matterson referred to this signing as being similar to that of Rangi Chase
Isa signed for Widnes Vikings for the 2012 Season. In 2012, Widnes fan, David Quayle created a Facebook page on Isa, stating that if Isa was to score; the Widnes fans would riot. Despite popularity on Facebook, no fans rioted when Isa scored his first (and second) Widnes try against Hull F.C. in a 42–16 win.
In 2013, Isa found a new position, that position of second row transformed him into one of the form players of the super league.
On 16 May 2014, Isa was the 9th player in as many weeks to sign a new contract and stay with the Vikings. He signed a new two-year deal.[5][6]
On 29 September 2015, it was announced that Isa had signed a two-year contract with an option for a 3rd year with the Wigan Warriors starting in 2016.[7]
References
- ↑ Rugby League Project
- ↑ Love Rugby League
- 1 2 Nick Walshaw (27 February 2009). "Storm rookie Willie Isa in Israel Folau's footsteps". ABC News. Retrieved 6 March 2009.
- ↑ http://www.wsamoa.ws/index.php?m=25&s=&i=9789
- ↑ http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12228/9313684/super-league-willie-isa-signs-new-two-year-deal-with-widnes-vikings
- ↑ http://superleague.co.uk/article/30223/isa-commits-to-widnes
- ↑ https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-league/34390001