Andrew Suniula

Last updated

Andrew Suniula
Andrew Suniula (21 September 2008) 2.jpg
Date of birth (1982-05-01) 1 May 1982 (age 42)
Place of birth American Samoa
Height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight102 kg (16 st 1 lb; 225 lb)
Notable relative(s) Roland Suniula (brother), Shalom Suniula (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre, Wing
Current team Austin Elite
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2005–2006 Taranaki 11 (5)
2011–2012 Cornish Pirates 15 (15)
2013–2014 Wasps 5 (0)
2015 București 6 (5)
2016 San Diego Breakers 9 (5)
2018–2019 Austin Elite 15 (14)
Correct as of 27 November 2020
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2008–2016 United States 39 (35)
Correct as of 30 December 2017
Rugby league career
Playing information
Position Second-row, Wing, Centre
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2007 Auckland Lions
2007–2009 Manly Sea Eagles 412
Total400012

Andrew Suniula (born 1 May 1982) [1] is a former rugby football player who played rugby union as a centre for the United States national team (USA Eagles XV's). He last played for the Austin Gilgronis and is now their Rugby Operations Director and a member of the coaching staff. [2]

Contents

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. [3] Suniula played for Manly in the NRL. Suniula played wing , centre and second-row in rugby league. [3]

Rugby union

Suniula with the US in the 2010 Churchill Cup Andrew Suniula Churchill Cup 2010 vs Russia.jpg
Suniula with the US in the 2010 Churchill Cup

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. [4] He made five appearances for the club during his brief one-year stint. Suniula joined CSM București for the 2015 Romanian Rugby Championship season. [5]

In 2018 Suniola signed for Austin Elite and quickly became team captain, but by 2019 he was semi-retired and was succeeded as captain by Ben Mitchell. [6]

International career

Suniula represented the United States in rugby union from 2008 to 2016 and played 39 tests including four matches in the 2011 and 2015 World Cups. [7] [8]

Personal life

His brothers, Roland and Shalom, have also represented the United States in rugby union. [9] Suniula has been tattooed by internationally renowned artist Steve Ma Ching, who also tattooed rugby players DJ Forbes and Sonny Bill Williams. [10]

Related Research Articles

Jason Williams is a New Zealand rugby league footballer and heavyweight boxer who currently plays for the Glenora Bears in the Auckland Rugby League. His position of choice is at prop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clinton Toopi</span> Former NZ & Maori dual-code rugby international footballer

Clinton James Te-Whata Toopi is a New Zealand former professional rugby league and rugby union footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. A New Zealand international representative centre, he played his club football in the National Rugby League for the New Zealand Warriors and the Gold Coast Titans, and in the Super League for the Leeds Rhinos. Clinton began coaching the Helensvale Hornets in 2021 and guided them to victory in the 2022 Gold Coast A Grade Competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Matai</span> New Zealand rugby league footballer

Stephen Matai is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the National Rugby League from 2005 to 2016. A New Zealand national representative centre, he played for Australian club the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. Matai helped the Sea Eagles win the 2008 and 2011 Premierships. He was also part of the New Zealand national squad that won the nation's maiden title at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. Known particularly for his uncompromising defence, in 2020, Matai was voted the National Rugby League's hardest hitter over the past 30 years.

Gene Robert Ngamu is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer. He played mainly as a halfback or five-eighth, and is probably best known for his combination with Stacey Jones at the Auckland Warriors and the Kiwis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denan Kemp</span> Australian rugby union and rugby league footballer

Denan Kemp is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s in the National Rugby League (NRL) and a current online sports content creator. Kemp played in the NRL for the Brisbane Broncos and the New Zealand Warriors, usually on the wing. He also had a brief stint in rugby union in 2011, playing for Southern Districts in the Shute Shield competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florin Vlaicu</span> Rugby player

Florin Vlaicu is a Romanian former rugby union player. He last played as a fly half or centre for Liga Națională de Rugby club SCM Timișoara. He could also play as a fullback, thus being considered a utility back due to his versatility. He is Romania's all time leading point scorer and the most capped player for his nation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liam Foran</span> New Zealand rugby league footballer

Liam Foran is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who has played for the Cessnock Goannas in the Newcastle Rugby League Competition in Newcastle, Australia, as a five-eighth or halfback.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Williams (rugby league)</span> Australia & Tonga international rugby league footballer

Tony Williams, also known by the nickname of "T-Rex", is a former professional rugby league footballer. He played for both Tonga and Australia at international level.

Craig Ross Innes, also known by the nickname of "Postie", is a New Zealand former rugby union and rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. After a successful rugby union career which saw him represent his country he switched to rugby league, playing in both England and Australia, winning the 1996 ARL Premiership, before playing out the last years of his career in rugby union in New Zealand.

Owen Cunningham, nicknamed OJ, is an Australian former rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. A Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he played his club football for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, North Queensland Cowboys and the Northern Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Locke (rugby league)</span> New Zealand rugby league footballer

Kevin Samuel Locke, also known by the nickname of "Knobby", is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who plays for the Northcote Tigers in the Auckland Rugby League. He previously played for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League and for the Salford Red Devils and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the Super League. He primarily plays as a fullback and wing.

Roland Suniula is an American international rugby union player who plays for the Austin Elite as a centre in Major League Rugby (MLR).

Robbie Shaw is a former international rugby union player who played scrum-half. Shaw played for the United States national rugby union team.

Marty Veale is a former rugby union player and is assistant coach with Northland in the Bunnings NPC. He played at lock for Northland in the ITM Cup competition. He formerly coached rugby as Head Coach of Rugby New York (RNY), a member of Major League Rugby (MLR)Old Blue R.F.C. in New York and the United States Military Academy at West Point men's team starting in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pita Godinet</span> Samoa international rugby league footballer

Pita Godinet is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a hooker for the Dapto Canaries in the Illawarra Rugby League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shalom Suniula</span> US international rugby union player

Shalom Suniula is a former rugby league and rugby union player, who played for the Seattle Seawolves in Major League Rugby (MLR), and for the United States national rugby sevens team. He played rugby union for the United States Eagles XV's, USA Sevens, and at club level for Belmont Shore RFC, as a scrum-half or fly-half. His brothers Andrew and Roland Suniula also played rugby for the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Gubb</span> New Zealand rugby league footballer

Charlie Gubb is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Widnes Vikings in the Super League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Trbojevic</span> Australia international rugby league footballer

Jake Trbojevic, commonly nicknamed Jurbo, is an Australian professional rugby league player who plays as a lock and prop for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League (NRL) and Australia at international level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lachlan Croker</span> Australian professional rugby league footballer

Lachlan Croker is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a hooker for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Ben Mitchell is an English-born Irish professional rugby union player who is currently a lock. As of 2024, he is with the United States team Rugby Football Club Los Angeles in Major League Rugby (MLR).

References

  1. ↑ "Manly daily | Manly Daily | Daily Telegraph".
  2. ↑ "USA Rugby International Athlete Council, Board Members Elected". goffonrugby. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  3. 1 2 "League: Suniula thanks 'Crusher' for Sea Eagles break". Otago Daily Times . 19 March 2009. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  4. ↑ "Andrew Suniula Not Returning To Wasps". tiar. Retrieved 9 July 2014.
  5. ↑ "Andrew Suniula Joins CSM Bucuresti". TIAR. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  6. ↑ Ben Mitchell leaves Austin for San Diego, americasrugbynews.com, August 19, 2019, accessed November 9, 2020
  7. ↑ "USA Eagles". Archived from the original on 7 March 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2009.
  8. ↑ "Andrew Suniula". itsrugby.
  9. ↑ Kiwi gets contract with US sevens The Western Leader, 9 February 2012
  10. ↑ "Sonny Bill's West Auckland 'tattoo brother' ready to face All Blacks". ONE News. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.