Brad Takairangi

Brad Takairangi (born 14 June 1989) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre or second-row forward for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL. He has played for the Cook Islands, New Zealand and New Zealand Māori at international level.

Brad Takairangi
Personal information
Full nameBradley Louis Takairangi
Born (1989-06-14) 14 June 1989
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height194 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight108 kg (17 st 0 lb)
Playing information
PositionSecond-row, Centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2010–12 Sydney Roosters 29 3 0 0 12
2013–14 Gold Coast Titans 39 8 0 0 32
2015– Parramatta Eels 103 20 0 0 80
Total 171 31 0 0 124
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2009–19 Cook Islands 7 1 3 0 10
2017 New Zealand 4 1 0 0 4
2019 New Zealand Māori 1 0 0 0 0
2019 Cook Islands 9s 1 0 2 0 4
2020 Māori All Stars 1 0 0 0 0
As of 20 October 2019
Source: [1]

Takairangi previously played for the Sydney Roosters and the Gold Coast in the National Rugby League.

Early life

Takairangi was born in Sydney, Australia, and is of Cook Islands and Māori descent.

His sister, Kiana, represented the Cook Islands national team at the 2017 Women's Rugby League World Cup and plays in the Lingerie Football League for the Los Angeles Temptation.[2]

Playing career

Takairangi played his junior football with the Cronulla-Caringbah Sharks before being signed by the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

2009

In 2009, Takairangi made his international debut for the Cook Islands, kicking 3 conversions in a 22–20 victory over Samoa.[3]

Takairangi playing for the Newtown Jets

2010

Takairangi played in South Sydney's NYC team in 2008 and 2009, before being signed by the Sydney Roosters in February 2010.[4] In round 2, he made his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters against the Wests Tigers off the interchange bench in the 44–32 win at the SFS.[5] Takairangi played in one other match during the season.

2011

On 25 August, Takairangi signed an extension with the Sydney Roosters which would keep him there until the end of the 2013 NRL season.[6] In round 24, against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, he scored his first NRL career try in the Sydney Roosters 36–25 win at the Sydney Football Stadium.[7] Takairangi finished the year with 2 tries from 11 matches.

2012

Takairangi played in 16 matches and scored a try for the Sydney Roosters in the 2012 NRL season.

2013

On 5 February, Takairangi signed with the Gold Coast on a 3-year-deal, as part of an attempt by the Sydney Roosters to lure Luke O'Donnell back to the club. In round 1, Takairangi made his club debut for the Gold Coast against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks by playing at centre in the Titans 10–12 loss at Remondis Stadium.[8] In round 11, against the Parramatta Eels, he scored his first club try for the Titans in the 42–4 win at Mudgee Oval.[9] Takairangi finished the NRL season with 18 matches and 5 tries. He then played for the Cook Islands in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.[10] He played in 3 matches and scored a try during the tournament.

2014

In February, Takairangi played in the Titans inaugural Auckland Nines squad.[11] He finished the season with 21 appearances and 3 tries for the Titans. On 9 September, Takairangi was selected for the New Zealand national rugby league team 2014 Four Nations train-on squad, but didn't make the final 24-man squad.[12] On 19 September, Takairangi agreed to sign a 3-year deal with the Wests Tigers, starting from the 2015 season.[13][14] However, Wests back-flipped on Takairangi's deal, leaving him off contract for the 2015 season. On 30 October, he signed with the Parramatta Eels on a one-year deal.[15]

2015

On 26 January, Takairangi was named in Parramatta's Auckland Nines squad.[16] In round 1, he made his club debut for Parramatta against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at centre, scoring a try in the 42–12 win at Parramatta Stadium.[17] On 4 April, Takairangi re-signed with the Eels for a further 2 years.[18] In round 22, against the Penrith Panthers, he suffered a season ending foot injury.[19][20] Takairangi finished his first year with Parramatta with him playing in 17 matches and scoring 4 tries but mostly known for his combination and try assists to his wing partner Semi Radradra.

2016

In round 22 against Manly, Takairangi played his 100th NRL career match in the Eels 10–9 win at Parramatta Stadium.[21][22] Takairangi finished the season with him playing in 17 matches and scoring 4 tries, 12 penalties conceded and 18 errors. On 20 September 2017, Takairangi extended his contract with Parramatta until the end of the 2019 NRL season.[23]

2017

Takairangi played 23 games for Parramatta in the 2017 NRL season where the team finished fourth on the table. Then going on to debut for the NZ Kiwis in the 2017 RLWC.[24]

2018

In Round 2 of the 2018 NRL season, Takairangi was ruled out for 5 weeks with a fractured eye socket after being accidentally elbowed in the face by Manly player Joel Thompson.[25] Takairangi returned to the Parramatta side in round 7 against Manly, Parramatta went on to win the match 44–10 which was their first of the season.[26] Takairangi ended a difficult 2018 season with 20 appearances for the club as Parramatta finished last on the table and claimed its 14th wooden spoon.[27][28]

2019

Takairangi began the 2019 NRL season as one of the club's first choice centres. In round 4, Takairangi scored his first try of the season in a 24–12 victory over Cronulla-Sutherland. In Round 5, Takairangi played his 150th NRL game against Canberra which ended in a 19–0 defeat.[29]

On 28 May, Takairangi was demoted to reserve grade by coach Brad Arthur after the club had suffered 3 disappointing losses in a row. The last of which was against bottom placed Penrith.[30]

After spending a month in reserve grade, Takairangi was called back into the Parramatta team for their Round 15 clash against Canberra to cover injuries within the side. Takairangi played at centre as Parramatta defeated Canberra 22–16 at TIO Stadium in Darwin.[31] In Round 17 against Wests Tigers, Takairangi scored a hat-trick as Parramatta won the match 30–18 at the new Western Sydney Stadium.[32]

Takairangi played a total of 23 games for Parramatta in the 2019 NRL season as the club finished 5th on the table and qualified for the finals. Takairangi played in both finals matches for the club as they reached the elimination final against Melbourne but were defeated 32–0 at AAMI Park which ended their season.[33]

On 10 October, Takairangi was named in the Cook Islands squad for the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s. On 4 November, Takairangi signed a one-year contract extension with Parramatta.[34]

References
  1. "Brad Takairangi – Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  2. Arnold, Rikki-Lee (27 October 2017). "Kiana Takairangi completes journey from lingerie football to Rugby League World Cup". Courier Mail. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  3. "Cook Islands progress to Pacific Cup". NRL.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  4. "Brian's Bro Mance". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  5. "Roosters Defeat Tigers 44–32". Foxpsorts.com.au. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  6. "Takairangi signs new two year deal". Zero Tackle. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  7. Daniel Lane. "Hail Mary play at death answers Roosters' prayers". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  8. "Passion Filled Cronulla Sharks Nab Gold Coast Titans in Nailbiter". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  9. "Titans Hammer Eels in NRL Round 11". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  10. "Cook Islands Announce Squad For Rugby League World Cup | NRL". Triple M. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  11. "Squads For Auckland Nines". Rugby League Week. 14 February 2014. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  12. "Six players added to Kiwis squad | Radio New Zealand News". Radionz.co.nz. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  13. "Titans lose utility Takairangi to Wests Tigers | NRL". Zero Tackle. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  14. "Titans Lose Utility Brad Takairangi to Wests Tigers; Beau Henry Talking to Parramatta". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  15. "Eels announce five signings for 2015 | NRL". Zero Tackle. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  16. "EELS NAME 2015 NINES SQUAD". Rugby League Week. 26 January 2015. Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  17. "Eels v Sea Eagles : Anthony Watmough in the Thick i=of it as Parramatta Thrash Manly 42–12". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  18. "Eels Re-Sign John Folau and Brad Takairangi for Two Years; Bureta Faraimo Extends for 12 Months". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  19. "Brad Takairangi Ruled Out For Year as Parramatta Eels Injury Crisis Worsens". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  20. "2015 Penrith's Season Slumps to New Low as Parramatta Escape with a Six Point Win in Darwin". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  21. Media, NRL Digital. "Takairangi: Playing for pride in his 100th NRL game".
  22. "Live NRL: Parramatta Eels v Manly Sea Eagles scores, blog, updates, news". 5 August 2016.
  23. "Takairangi re-signs with Eels".
  24. http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/brad-takairangi/summary.html
  25. http://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/brad-takairangi-injury-parramatta-eels-nrl-manly-sea-eagles/nd0yllizapvw19ml79r4hv1ux
  26. https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/04/21/updated-round-7-nrl-team-lists/
  27. https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/Ny0xNzE3LTQtLS0tLS0xNDUwOS0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0=
  28. https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/eels/parramatta-eels-season-2018-review-peter-sterlings-biggest-fear-after-horror-campaign/news-story/14f79c1c637fa8d03bbfa6d6b63b55f1
  29. "Takairangi proud to take 150 games in his stride". www.nrl.com.
  30. "NRL Round 12 teams analysis: Brad Arthur drops four players, while Rabbitohs, Panthers forced to dig deep". www.foxsports.com.au.
  31. "Parramatta Eels slip through Canberra Raiders' grasp". Canberra Times.
  32. "Parramatta crash Benji's 300th party". Sydney Morning Herald.
  33. "Melbourne Storm crush Parramatta 32–0 in their semi-final to set up prelim against the Roosters". ABC.
  34. "Parramatta Eels re-sign five players as rumours of Ryan Matterson joining grow louder". Sporting News.
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