Shalom Suniula

Shalom Suniula (born June 5, 1988) is an American Samoan rugby league and rugby union player for the Seattle Seawolves in Major League Rugby (MLR).

Shalom Suniula
Date of birth (1988-06-05) June 5, 1988
Place of birthAmerican Samoa
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight190 lb (13 st 8 lb; 86 kg)
Notable relative(s)Roland Suniula (brother), Andrew Suniula (brother)
Rugby league career
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
– Souths Logan Magpies ()
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrumhalf, Flyhalf, Center
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011 Belmont Shore RFC ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018– Seattle Seawolves 30 (25)
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014–2016 United States 18 (5)
Correct as of 26 June 2016
National sevens team(s)
Years Team Comps
2008– United States 41

He previously played representative level rugby league for the New Zealand Junior Kiwis national rugby league team, and at club level for Souths Logan Magpies, and representative level rugby union (RU) for the United States Eagles XV's, USA Sevens, and at club level for Belmont Shore RFC, as a scrum-half, or fly-half.

Along with his brothers Andrew and Roland Suniula, Shalom has played for the United States national rugby sevens team in the IRB Sevens World Series since 2008, along with USA Eagles XV's team.[1]

Suniula is a talented play maker who is known for his dangerous side step.[2]

Early life

Born in American Samoa, Suniula migrated to New Zealand at a young age, and attended Kelston Boys' High School in Auckland. In 2004 he was selected for the New Zealand Junior Kiwis national rugby league team.[3] and also played for Souths Logan Magpies in the Queensland Cup.[4]

U.S. national team
Suniula playing for the United States during the 2015 World Cup

Suniula is among the leading American rugby sevens players on the World Rugby Sevens Series circuit in several major statistical categories, including appearances, points scored and goals kicked. For the 2011-12 IRB Sevens World Series, Suniula was selected to be captain of the team.

Suniula made his debut for the United States national rugby sevens team at the NAWIRA RWC 7s Qualifier in fall 2008, and became a regular for the US during the 2008-09 IRB Sevens World Series.[5] Suniula played for the US at the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens. Suniula was the only US player to participate in every tournament during the 2009-10 IRB Sevens World Series tournament.[6]

Suniula also represented the United States at the 2011 Pan American Games, where Suniula and his teammates earned a bronze medal.

Other Achievements

Suniula played his club rugby for Belmont Shore, and was named MVP as Belmont Shore won the USA Rugby Men's Club Sevens Championship in 2011.[7]

Personal life

Suniula married his wife in 2012.[8]

Suniula is a Christian. Suniula has spoken about his faith saying, “Through time and pursuit of Jesus Christ, I came to know much more peace and joy in life. I can now say that Christ has brought out a better version of me. By no means am I a perfect person, but God is using my relationship with Him to build relationships with others. I know for a fact that God has me in this position and given me experiences of both successes and failures so I can help others. God has blessed me with talent, and God’s Word asks us what we are going to do with the talents He gives us. Rugby has given me a position of influence to be able to help mold and change kids’ and adults’ lives as I coach and partner with rugby players. With this level of influence comes a certain level of responsibility as well. I want to use my position to show Christ’s love — to care for people as He cares for us all.”[8]

Shalom Suniula is the brother of Andrew Suniula and Roland Suniula, who are both also rugby players who have played for the United States national teams.

References
  1. USA Rugby, National 7's Team Tournament Appearances, "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2012-01-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. Ultimate Rugby Sevens, Dallen's USA Eagles Preview, Nov. 29, 2010, http://ur7s.com/news/blogumnist/dallen-stanford
  3. SS Management
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-11-07. Retrieved 2013-11-07.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. USA Rugby, Men's National Team 7s Appearances, "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2012-01-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. RugbyUSA, "Shalom Suniula - finesse in a jungle of dinosaurs," March 1, 2011, "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-07-20. Retrieved 2012-01-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. RugbyRugby, "Berkeley & Belmont Reign Supreme at Club Sevens," August 8, 2011, "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-07-30. Retrieved 2012-01-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. Suniula, Shalom. "Positioned for a Purpose - Shalom Suniula". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved 5 October 2019.
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