Talite Vaioleti (born 13 November 1980) is a Tongan rugby union player, born in Haveluloto, Tonga,[1] who plays for National League 1 side, Darlington Mowden Park R.F.C.[2] He is a utility player able to play as a Lock or in the Back Row.[3]
| Birth name | Talite Vaioleti | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | November 13, 1980 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Haveluloto, Tonga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 115 kg (254 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Career
editVaioleti started to play rugby for Club Levengamalie in 2003.[1] After a club tour to New Zealand, he was persuaded to turn professional and in 2005,[1] was selected to play for Tonga against France. While in France, he was approached to play club rugby in Europe. As a result of this, Vaioleti played one season with Royan in France.[4] From there along with some fellow Tongan players, he moved to England to play for Hertford in 2006.[4] In 2007, Vaioleti joined Jersey[5] where he became captain and led them to two promotions and a game at Twickenham Stadium in London.[4] In 2010, Vaioleti left Jersey to move to Wharfedale after a recommendation from fellow Tongan, Latu Makaafi.[5] After a season, in 2011 he moved to Rotherham Titans where despite making 8 appearances for them in the RFU Championship, due to a lack of starts he moved back to Jersey, who had just been promoted to the RFU Championship, in 2012.[6]
International career
editVaioleti has represented Tonga twice as well as appeared a number of times for Tonga A. In 2010 he received an invitation to represent The Barbarians under England national coach, Brian Ashton against a Forces XV where he scored two tries.[4]
Personal life
editVaioleti was married to a Jerseywoman named Catherine whom he met during his first stint at Jersey.[7] Vaioleti is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Between 2001 and 2003 he was a missionary in Australia.[1] In 2011, he was interviewed by the BBC for a radio programme about the haka.[8]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Spreading the Gospel through Sport" (PDF). LDS Church. 2010. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
- ^ "Talite Vaioleti". Darlington Mowden Park R.F.C. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
- ^ Marshall, Bill (2010-08-05). "Tongan international signs for Greens". Craven Herald. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
- ^ a b c d "Interview with Talite Vaioleti from Tonga". Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions. 2011-05-06. Archived from the original on 2013-10-21. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
- ^ a b "Talite Vaioleti to depart Jersey Rugby Club". BBC Sport. 2010-06-30. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
- ^ GMT (2012-05-28). "Former captain Talite Vaioleti returns to Jersey". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
- ^ "Siam stage is set". This Is Jersey. 2009-05-01. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved 2013-01-02.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Haka face-off: NZ All Blacks versus Tonga". BBC News. 2011-08-08. Retrieved 2013-01-02.