Taine Tuaupiki (/taʊpɪki/) (born 31 August 1999) is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League (NRL).
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Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Taine Tuaupiki | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 31 August 1999 Manly, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 178 cm (5 ft 10 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 83 kg (13 st 1 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Fullback | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Background
editTuaupiki was born in Manly, New South Wales, Australia. He grew up in Taharoa on the southern side of Kawhia Harbour.[2][3]
Tuaupiki is related to fellow New Zealand Warriors player, Te Maire Martin.[citation needed]
Playing career
editEarly career
editTuaupiki was educated at Coombabah State High School, where he played in the 2016 NRL Schoolboys Cup Queensland final against Keebra Park State High School,[4] and played junior rugby league for the Burleigh Bears, progressing through to the Hastings Deering Colts competition in 2019.[5] Following an impressive season for Burleigh in the 2022 Queensland Cup season, Tuaupiki won the Petero Civoniceva Medal as the competition's best and fairest while also being named the rookie of the year,[6][7] earning a NRL development contract with the New Zealand Warriors.[8] Tuaupiki also won Burleigh's player of the year award to cap off his time at the Queensland Cup club.[9]
New Zealand Warriors: 2023–present
editTuaupiki was one of a host of players who excelled in the New Zealand Warriors’ 48–12 win over Wests Tigers in their first NRL trial at Mount Smart Stadium.[10] Tuaupiki was upgraded to a fulltime NRL contract with the Warriors for the 2023 season.[11] Tuaupiki made his first grade debut in his side's 26−12 victory over the North Queensland Cowboys at North Queensland Stadium in round 3 of the 2023 NRL season,[10][12] impressing in the absence of the Warriors regular fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad.[13]
He played five games for the New Zealand Warriors in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 4th on the table and qualified for the finals.[14] On 24 October, Tuaupiki had re-signed with the club on a two-year deal.[15]
Honours
editIndividual
- Petero Civoniceva Medal (Queensland Cup Player of the Year): 2022
- Queensland Cup Rookie of the Year: 2022
- Burleigh Bears Player of the Year: 2022
References
edit- ^ "Taine Tuaupki - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project".
- ^ "I'm a bit rattled': Emotional moment Warriors fullback Taine Tuaupiki learns he will achieve his NRL dream". Stuff. 15 March 2023.
- ^ Rosser, Cory (22 March 2023). "Welcome to Tahāroa: Rugby league capital of the world". NRL.com. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ O'Brien, Connor (25 May 2019). "Fairytale finish the beginning for Taine". The Gold Coast Bulletin. Southport, Queensland: Nationwide News Pty Ltd. p. 101.
- ^ "Gold Coast Rugby League 2021: Burleigh Bears young gun Taine Tuaupiki tapped for big things". The Gold Coast Bulletin. Southport, Queensland: Nationwide News Pty Ltd. 19 March 2021.
- ^ Wright, Nick (25 September 2022). "Burleigh Bears star Taine Tuaupiki pays tribute to pair at the heart of his resurgence". The Gold Coast Bulletin. Southport, Queensland: Nationwide News Pty Ltd.
- ^ Hillier, Michael (23 September 2022). "Tuaupiki and Storch take top honours at QRL Awards". qrl.com.au. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ Wright, Nick (4 August 2022). "Rookie Hub: Gold Coast gun Taine Tuaupiki earns NRL chance to replace Queensland wunderkind Reece Walsh at the New Zealand Warriors". The Gold Coast Bulletin. Southport, Queensland: Nationwide News Pty Ltd.
- ^ Martin, Tanya (18 October 2022). "Tuaupiki caps off huge year with top Bears award". qrl.com.au. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ a b Powell, Alex (16 March 2023). "NRL: NZ Warriors setting bar high for rookie fullback Taine Tuaupiki as club debut against North Queensland Cowboys awaits". Newshub.
- ^ Meyn, Travis (18 March 2023). "LOSS REIGNITES HUNGERTO PLAY IN NRL". The Gold Coast Bulletin. Southport, Queensland: Nationwide News Pty Ltd. p. 107.
- ^ Dayal, Zion (15 March 2023). "Warriors debutant Tuaupiki ready to step up for club and culture". 1 News. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ Wright, Nick (20 March 2023). "Tuaupiki impresses from start". The Gold Coast Bulletin. Southport, Queensland: Nationwide News Pty Ltd.
- ^ "NRL 2023: New Zealand Warriors season review". www.sportingnews.com.
- ^ Writer, Staff (23 October 2024). "Tuaupiki locked in until 2026". Warriors. Retrieved 24 October 2024.
External links
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