Andrew Suniula

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]

Andrew Suniula
Date of birth (1982-05-01) 1 May 1982
Place of birthAmerican 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 league career
Position(s) Second-row, Wing, Centre
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007
2007–2009		 Auckland Lions
Manly Sea Eagles
4		 (
12)
Correct as of 30 December 2017
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre, Wing
Current team Austin Elite
Senior career
Years Team Apps (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
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008–2016 United States 39 (35)
Correct as of 30 December 2017

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

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]

References
  1. http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/suniula-powers-his-way-into-top-squad/
  2. "USA Rugby International Athlete Council, Board Members Elected". goffonrugby. Retrieved 27 November 2020.
  3. "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. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 7 March 2009. Retrieved 22 March 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  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.
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