Tinirau Arona

Tinirau Arona (born 8 May 1989) is a Cook Islands international[3] rugby league footballer who plays as a loose forward and prop for Wakefield Trinity in the Super League.

Tinirau "T" Arona
Personal information
Full nameTinirau Arona
Born (1989-05-08) 8 May 1989
Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight16 st 10 lb (106 kg)
Playing information
PositionLoose forward, Prop
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2011–13 Sydney Roosters 36 3 0 0 12
2014–15 Cronulla Sharks 33 3 0 0 12
2016– Wakefield Trinity 117 8 0 0 32
Total 186 14 0 0 56
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2006–16 Cook Islands 10 1 0 0 4
As of 11 January 2021
Source: [1][2]

He previously played for the Sydney Roosters and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the NRL.

Background

Arona was born in Dunedin, New Zealand. He is of Cook Islands descent and moved to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia as an 11-year-old. Arona is cousins with Penrith Panthers and Cook Islands representative player Tupou Sopoaga.[4]

He played his junior rugby league for the St Clair Comets, before being signed by the Penrith Panthers.[5]

Playing career

On 4 October 2006, Arona made his international début for the Cook Islands as a 17-year-old, playing off the interchange bench and scored the Cook Islands only try in the 46-6 loss to the Samoa.[6] In October 2009, Arona played 2 matches for the Cook Islands in the Pacific Cup.[7] Arona played in the Penrith Panthers NYC team in 2008-2009[8] before moving on to play for the Sydney Roosters NSW Cup team the Newtown Jets in 2010 where Arona was awarded the club's best and fairest and best forward.[9] Earning himself a contract with the Sydney Roosters.

Sydney Roosters

2011

In Round 4 of the 2011 NRL season, Arona made his NRL début for the Sydney Roosters, playing off the interchange bench in the Roosters 24-6 victory over the Wests Tigers at SFS.[10] Arona finished his début year in the NRL with him playing in 13 matches for the Sydney Roosters in the 2011 NRL season. On 3 November 2011 The annual RLIF Awards dinner was held at the Tower of London and Arona was named Cook Islands' player of the year.[11]

Arona playing for the Roosters in 2012

2012

In Round 9 against the Newcastle Knights at SFS, Arona scored his first NRL career try in the Roosters 24-6 win.[12] Arona finished the 2012 NRL season with him playing in 20 matches and scoring 3 tries (12p) for the Sydney Roosters.

2013

In July 2013, Arona represented the NSW Residents side.[13] Arona finished the 2013 NRL season with him playing in 3 matches for the Sydney Roosters. Arona was part of the Cook Islands national rugby league team that participated in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup playing at lock in all 3 matches for the Cook Islands.[14] On 6 December 2013, Arona signed with the Cronulla Sharks after getting released from his contract with the Sydney Roosters.[15]

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

2014

In Round 1 of the 2014 NRL season, Arona made his National Rugby League Premiership début for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, scoring a try in the Sharks 18-12 loss to the Gold Coast Titans at Remondis Stadium.[16] Arona finished his first year with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the 2014 NRL season with him playing in 21 matches and scoring 3 tries (12p).

Wakefield Trinity (Wildcats)

On 5 November 2015, Arona signed a 1-year contract with Super League side Wakefield Trinity starting in 2016.[17]

References
  1. "Statistics at loverugbyleague.com". loverugbyleague.com. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  2. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  3. "Tinirau Arona". Newtown Jets. 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2010.
  4. "Cronulla Sharks Cousins' Tinirau Arona and Tupou Sopoaga Ready to Take on NRL". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  5. "After Heading East for New Turf Young Rooster has His Hands Full". Theaustralian.com.au. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  6. "Samoa vs. Cook Islands". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  7. "Samoa and Cook Islands announce squads - NRL.com". M.nrl.com. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  8. Archived 3 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  9. "Established 1908 - Celebrating 102 years of rugby league tradition". Newtown Jets. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  10. "Roosters Take On the Injury Hit Tigers". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  11. "Slater scoops player award". Sky Sports. 3 November 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2011.
  12. "Pearce Takes Roosters to Top Eight Spot". Theaustralian.com.au. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  13. "View topic - VB NSW Cup Rep Squad named". The Mighty Bears. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  14. "Rugby League World Cup 2013". Rlwc2013.com. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  15. Arona, Tinirau. "TINIRAU ARONA MOVES TO THE CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS". Zero Tackle. Personal Tweet. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  16. "Paul Gallen Injures Ankle in Titans 18-12 Upset of Sharks". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  17. "Wildcats seal signing of Tinirau Arona | NRL". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
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