Shalom Suniula
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| Date of birth | June 5, 1988 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | American Samoa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 190 lb (13 st 8 lb; 86 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Roland Suniula (brother), Andrew Suniula (brother) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Shalom Suniula (born June 5, 1988) is a former rugby league and rugby union player, who played for the Seattle Seawolves in Major League Rugby (MLR), and for the United States national rugby sevens team. He played rugby union for the United States Eagles XV's, USA Sevens, and at club level for Belmont Shore RFC, as a scrum-half or fly-half. His brothers Andrew and Roland Suniula also played rugby for the U.S.[1]
Suniula previously played representative level rugby league for the New Zealand Junior Kiwis national rugby league team, and at club level for Souths Logan Magpies.
Suniula was a talented play maker who was known for his dangerous side step.[2] On August 5, 2021, he confirmed his retirement to a decorated rugby career at the age of 33 after winning international honors for the US and two Major League Rugby titles. He joined older brothers Andrew and Roland in retirement.[3]
Early life
Born in American Samoa, Suniula migrated to New Zealand at a young age, and attended Kelston Boys' High School in Auckland. In 2004 he was selected for the New Zealand Junior Kiwis national rugby league team.[4] and also played for Souths Logan Magpies in the Queensland Cup.[5]
U.S. national team
During his career, Suniula was among the leading American rugby sevens players on the World Rugby Sevens Series circuit in several major statistical categories, including appearances, points scored and goals kicked. For the 2011-12 IRB Sevens World Series, Suniula was captain of the team.
Suniula made his debut for the United States national rugby sevens team at the NAWIRA RWC 7s Qualifier in fall 2008, and became a regular for the US during the 2008-09 IRB Sevens World Series.[6] Suniula played for the US at the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens. Suniula was the only US player to participate in every tournament during the 2009-10 IRB Sevens World Series tournament.[7]
Suniula also represented the United States at the 2011 Pan American Games, where Suniula and his teammates earned a bronze medal.
Other Achievements
Suniula played his club rugby for Belmont Shore, and was named MVP as Belmont Shore won the USA Rugby Men's Club Sevens Championship in 2011.[8]
Personal life
Suniula married his wife in 2012.[9]
Suniula is a Christian. Suniula has spoken about his faith saying, “God has blessed me with talent, and God’s Word asks us what we are going to do with the talents He gives us. Rugby has given me a position of influence to be able to help mold and change kids’ and adults’ lives as I coach and partner with rugby players. With this level of influence comes a certain level of responsibility as well. I want to use my position to show Christ's love — to care for people as He cares for us all.”[9]
Shalom Suniula is the brother of Andrew Suniula and Roland Suniula, who are both also rugby players who have played for the United States national teams.
References
- ^ USA Rugby, National 7's Team Tournament Appearances, "Men's XV's". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2012-01-18.
- ^ Ultimate Rugby Sevens, Dallen's USA Eagles Preview, Nov. 29, 2010, http://ur7s.com/news/blogumnist/dallen-stanford
- ^ News, Americas Rugby (2021-08-06). "Seawolves star Shalom Suniula confirms retirement". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ SS Management
- ^ "St George Illawarra Dragons - Jubilee Avenue". Archived from the original on 2013-11-07. Retrieved 2013-11-07.
- ^ USA Rugby, Men's National Team 7s Appearances, "Men's XV's". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2012-01-18.
- ^ RugbyUSA, "Shalom Suniula - finesse in a jungle of dinosaurs," March 1, 2011, "Shalom Suniula – finesse in a jungle of dinosaurs « usrugbynz". Archived from the original on 2012-07-20. Retrieved 2012-01-18.
- ^ RugbyRugby, "Berkeley & Belmont Reign Supreme at Club Sevens," August 8, 2011, "Berkeley & Belmont Reign Supreme at Club Sevens | U.S.News | Rugby News". Archived from the original on 2012-07-30. Retrieved 2012-01-18.
- ^ a b Suniula, Shalom. "Positioned for a Purpose - Shalom Suniula". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
- 1988 births
- American Samoan emigrants to New Zealand
- American Samoan rugby league players
- American Samoan rugby union players
- Junior Kiwis players
- Living people
- New Zealand rugby league players
- Pan American Games bronze medalists for the United States
- Pan American Games medalists in rugby sevens
- People educated at Kelston Boys' High School
- American people of Samoan descent
- Seattle Seawolves players
- Souths Logan Magpies players
- United States international rugby sevens players
- United States international rugby union players
- Rugby sevens players at the 2011 Pan American Games
- Medalists at the 2011 Pan American Games
- Rugby union scrum-halves
- Rugby union fly-halves
- Rugby union centres
- 2015 Rugby World Cup players