Sona Taumalolo
 | |||
| France vs Tonga during 2011 Rugby World Cup | |||
| Full name | Faka'ānaua ki 'Alisona Taumalolo, also known as Arizona Taumalolo, formerly known as Sona Tafuna | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 13 November 1981 | ||
| Place of birth | Ha'akame, Tonga[1] | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||
| Weight | 112 kg (247 lb) | ||
| School | Tupou College, Tonga | ||
| Notable relative(s) | Ben Tameifuna (nephew) | ||
| Occupation(s) | Professional rugby union player | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | loosehead prop | ||
| Professional / senior clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2012–14 2014–15 2015– |
Perpignan Racing Métro Grenoble |
52 0 0 |
(20) (0) (0) |
| correct as of 24 August 2015. | |||
| Provincial/State sides | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2005–11 | Hawke's Bay | 45 | (60) |
| correct as of 24 August 2015. | |||
| Super Rugby | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2008–12 | Chiefs | 52 | (75) |
| correct as of 24 August 2015. | |||
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2011– | Tonga | 20 | (20) |
| correct as of 9 October 2015. | |||
Sona Taumalolo (born 13 November 1981) is a Tongan born New Zealand-based rugby union player[1] who plays for FC Grenoble in the French Top 14. He is also a Tongan international. His position of choice is loose-head prop, and he is known for his aggressive style of play both in ball carrying and tackling.
Early life
Taumalolo was born in Tonga and attended Tupou College. In 2001, he emigrated to New Zealand. In 2005, he made his debut for Hawke's Bay. He was initially selected for Hawke's Bay from Clive Rugby Football Club.[1]
Rugby career
Domestic competitions
In 2009, Taumalolo made his Super Rugby debut for the Chiefs against the Crusaders.[2]
By Round 16 of the 2012 Super Rugby season Taumalolo had scored eight tries in the competition, twice as many as any other forward.[3] He is sometimes associated with the chant "He scores when he wants!"[4]
At the end of the 2012 season, Taumalolo joined USA Perpignan for the 2012–13 season. He currently plays for FC Grenoble and in February 2016 signed a contract extension taking his time there until June 2017.[5]
International
On 2 July 2011, Taumalolo made his international debut for Tonga against Fiji in the 2011 IRB Pacific Nations Cup. In the first game of the Rugby World Cup 2011 versus New Zealand, Taumalolo scored his country's only try in a 41–10 loss.[6]
He was a member of the Tongan squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
All Teams
- Tonga Under-19 Representative 2000[1]
- Auckland Under-21 Representative
- Hawke's Bay 2005–12
- Chiefs 2009–12
- Tonga 2011–present
- USA Perpignan 2012–14
Relatives & personal life
Taumalolo is married and has two children. His nephew Ben Tameifuna is also a prop for Chiefs. In July 2012, with hooker Mahonri Schwalger from Samoa, the two props combined for 60 minutes to help the Chiefs beat the Crusaders 20–17, at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.[7]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Hurndell, Shane (30 July 2005). "There's only one Arizona". Hawkes Bay Today. APN Holdings. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
- ↑ "Sona-Taumalolo". NZRU. 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
- ↑ "SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2012 Vodacom Super Rugby". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
- ↑ Anderson, Ian (16 April 2012). "Taumalolo plays battering ram in Chiefs win". Rugby Heaven. Fairfax. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
- ↑ "Grenoble keep Setephano, Taumalolo". Planet Rugby. 18 February 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ↑ Standley, James. "Rugby World Cup 2011: Tonga 10-41 New Zealand". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
- ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 20-17 Crusaders". South African Rugby Union. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.