Willie Isa
Willie Isa (born 1 January 1989) is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row for the Wigan Warriors in the Betfred Super League.
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William Isa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 1 January 1989 Auckland, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 14 st 4 lb (91 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Second-row, Centre, Wing, Loose forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As of 5 October 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
He previously played as a centre or winger for the Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm in the NRL, 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. Isa was educated at St Dominic's College, Penrith.
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]
He played in the 2016 Super League Grand Final victory over the Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford.[8]
He played in the 2017 Challenge Cup Final defeat by Hull F.C. at Wembley Stadium.[9]
References
- Rugby League Project
- Love Rugby League
- 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
- "Warrington 6-12 Wigan: Super League Grand Final – as it happened!". Guardian. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
- "Hull FC 18-14 Wigan recap as the Black and Whites claim back-to-back Challenge Cup triumphs". Mirror. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2019.