Manu Vunipola (born circa 1967 in Kolomotu'a,[4]) is a Tongan former rugby union player and former Tonga sevens coach. He played as scrum-half. Currently he is the Minister of Sport of Tonga.[5]
| Date of birth | 1967 (age 56–57) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place of birth | Kolomotu'a, Tonga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 82 kg (181 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Feʻao Vunipola (brother) Elisi Vunipola (brother) Mako Vunipola and Billy Vunipola (nephews) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | Engineer, Minister of Sport of Tonga[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career
editVunipola debuted for Tonga in the 1987 Rugby World Cup, playing only against Wales, in Palmerston North, on 29 May 1987. He also played the 1995 Rugby World Cup, playing the matches against France and against Scotland, in Pretoria. His last international cap was during the match against Fiji in Nuku'alofa, on 26 June 1999.
Personal life
editHe is brother of the fly-half Elisi Vunipola and of the hooker Feʻao Vunipola, both Tongan internationals. He is also the uncle of Feʻao's sons, Billy and Mako Vunipola, both England internationals.[6]
Notes
edit- ^ Sport: Former Tongan player hopeful of hosting Wales
- ^ Photo of the Tonga 1991 squad on The Tonga Chronicle
- ^ Sport: Tongan coach proud of 7s efforts despite setbacks
- ^ CEO Emeline Tuita's role with Tonga Rugby Union terminated Kaniva Tonga
- ^ Sport: Former Tongan player hopeful of hosting Wales
- ^ Chadband, Ian (7 March 2013). "England v Italy: Vunipola brothers Mako and Billy want Mum to see their Sunday best". Daily Telegraph.
External links
edit- Manu Vunipola at ESPNscrum
   | This biographical article relating to Tongan rugby union is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |