Andrew Suniula
Date of birth | 1 May 1982 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Place of birth | American Samoa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 102 kg (16 st 1 lb; 225 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Notable relative(s) | Roland Suniula (brother), Shalom Suniula (brother) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Andrew Suniula (born 1 May 1982)[1] is a rugby football player who plays rugby union as a centre for the United States national team (USA Eagles XV's). He currently plays for the Austin Elite in Major League Rugby (MLR).
Early years
Suniula began playing professional rugby union with Taranaki during the 2005–06 season, playing in eight times for the club.
Rugby league
Suniula switched to play rugby league for the Auckland Lions in the 2007 Bartercard Cup, scoring a try in the Grand Final. There he was spotted by Noel Cleal and signed by Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.[2] Suniula played for Manly in the NRL. Suniula played wing, centre and second-row in rugby league.[2]
Rugby union
After four years in rugby league, Suniula returned to union with the Chicago Griffins in 2010. The following season he joined RFU Championship side Cornish Pirates, appearing 16 times for the club during the 2011–12 season. Suniula returned to Chicago Griffins the following season before joining his first top flight professional rugby union side when he signed for the London Wasps for the 2013–14 season.[3] He made five appearances for the club during his brief one-year stint. Suniula joined CSM București for the 2015 Romanian Rugby Championship season.[4]
International career
Suniula has represented the United States in rugby union since 2008 and played in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.[5]
Personal life
His brothers, Roland and Shalom, have also represented the United States in rugby union.[6] Suniula has been tattooed by internationally renowned artist Steve Ma Ching, who also tattooed rugby players DJ Forbes and Sonny Bill Williams.[7]
References
- ^ http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/suniula-powers-his-way-into-top-squad/
- ^ a b "League: Suniula thanks 'Crusher' for Sea Eagles break". Otago Daily Times. 19 March 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
- ^ "Andrew Suniula Not Returning To Wasps". tiar. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
- ^ "Andrew Suniula Joins CSM Bucuresti". TIAR. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 March 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Kiwi gets contract with US sevens The Western Leader, 9 February 2012
- ^ "Sonny Bill's West Auckland 'tattoo brother' ready to face All Blacks". ONE News. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
- 1982 births
- American Samoan rugby union players
- Chicago Griffins RFC players
- American Samoan rugby league players
- Auckland rugby league team players
- Manly Warringah Sea Eagles players
- Cornish Pirates players
- Living people
- United States international rugby union players
- Rugby league wingers
- Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles players
- CSM București (rugby) players
- American Samoan expatriate rugby union players
- American Samoan expatriate rugby league players
- Expatriate rugby union players in England
- Expatriate rugby league players in Australia
- American Samoan expatriate sportspeople in Australia
- American Samoan expatriate sportspeople in England
- American Samoan emigrants to New Zealand
- United States international rugby sevens players
- San Diego Breakers players
- Austin Elite players