Ben Tameifuna
| Full name | Benjamin Vainga Charles Tameifuna | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 30 August 1991 | ||
| Place of birth | Auckland, New Zealand | ||
| Height | 1.82 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in) | ||
| Weight | 155 kg (24 st 6 lb; 342 lb) | ||
| School | Hastings Boys' High School | ||
| Notable relative(s) | Sona Taumalolo (uncle) | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Tighthead Prop | ||
| Professional / senior clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2015− | Racing 92 | ||
| Provincial/State sides | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2011–12 2013–15 |
Hawke's Bay Waikato |
14 21 |
(10) (10) |
| correct as of 9 October 2015. | |||
| Super Rugby | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2012–15 | Chiefs | 65 | (45) |
| correct as of 21 June 2015. | |||
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 2011 | New Zealand U20 | 4 | (5) |
| correct as of 5 November 2012. | |||
Ben Tameifuna (pronounced IPA: [dɑːmeɪfʊnɑː]; born 30 August 1991) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer. He plays for the French team Racing 92, having previously played for the Chiefs in Super Rugby and Hawke's Bay Magpies in the ITM Cup. In 2012 he became the Chiefs first choice tighthead prop. He is also acknowledged for his ability to fill in at hooker.[1]
Career
Tameifuna made his Hawke Bay's debut as a teenager in 2010.[2] He represented New Zealand under 20s at the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship,[3] and in March 2012 he made has Chiefs debut after injury sidelined Ben Afeaki.[2] In 2013, he signed a contract extension with the Chiefs until 2014.[4]
In May 2012 he was selected for the All Blacks[5][6] to train for the three Test series against Ireland. At over 130 kg, he was the heaviest member of the All Black squad. He has since gone on to be capped by Tonga and is in their squad for the 2016 European tour [7]
After four years with the Chiefs, in June 2015 Tameifuna signed with Racing 92, who changed their name from Racing Metro in the same month. They are based in Paris and are part of the French Top 14.[8]
Relatives
Tameifuna's uncle Sona Taumalolo was another Chiefs prop, who also played for Tonga at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.[9] In July 2012, with hooker Mahonri Schwalger from Samoa, the two props combined for 60 minutes to help the Chiefs beat the Crusaders 20–17, at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.[10] When Tameifuna signed to play in France, Taumalolo was already playing there, for FC Grenoble.[11]
References
- ↑ AFP (14 May 2012). "Loyalty and youth in All Blacks training squad". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
- 1 2 Pegden, Evan (1 March 2012). "Chiefs replacements young, gifted and large". Rugby Heaven. Fairfax. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
- ↑ New-Zealand-Rugby-Under-20-squad-named
- ↑ "Chiefs re-sign six players" (Press release). Chiefs. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
- ↑ "All Blacks seven new caps" (Press release). All Blacks and NZ Rugby. 3 June 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
- ↑ "Three rookies bring Chiefs All Blacks to six". Rugby Heaven. Fairfax. 4 June 2012. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
- ↑ (http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/315009/sport-tonga-make-mass-changes-for-november-rugby-tour)
- ↑ "Chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna has confirmed his shift to French rugby club Racing Metro later this year". TVNZ. 16 June 2015. Retrieved 27 March 2016.
- ↑ Mortimer, James (28 February 2012). "Ben Tameifuna could be called up by Chiefs" (Press release). All Blacks and NZ Rugby. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
- ↑ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Chiefs 20-17 Crusaders". South African Rugby Union. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ↑ "Grenoble keep Setephano, Taumalolo". Planet Rugby. 18 February 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2016.