Uini Atonio

Uini Atonio ([wi.ni a.to.niː.o]; born 26 March 1990) is a New Zealand-born professional rugby union footballer of Samoan heritage who represents France internationally.[2] His usual position is tighthead prop. He currently plays for French club La Rochelle.[1] BBC named him as the biggest forward in 2015 World Cup.[3]

Uini Atonio
Birth nameUini Atonio
Date of birth (1990-03-26) 26 March 1990
Place of birthTimaru, Canterbury Region, New Zealand
Height1.97 m (6 ft 5 1⁄2 in)[1]
Weight152 kg (23 st 13 lb; 335 lb)[1]
SchoolWesley College, Auckland
Rugby union career
Position(s) Tighthead Prop, Second Row
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011– La Rochelle 171 (40)
Correct as of 5 May 2018
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010–11 Counties Manukau ()
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009
2014–		 Samoa U20
France		 5
34		 (0)
(0)
Correct as of 6 December 2020

Early life

Uini (pronounced Weeny) Atonio was born in Timaru, New Zealand to Samoan parents.[4] He attended Wesley College, Auckland, where he played rugby for the 1st XV and was invited to join the Counties Manukau rugby academy.[5][6]

He represented Samoa Under 20s at the 2009 IRB Junior World Championship in Japan.[4][7]

Atonio joined the Counties Manukau ITM Cup squad in 2010.

France

Atonio was recruited by Patrice Collazo to join La Rochelle for the 2011–12 Pro D2 season.[1] In 2014, he completed the required three years of residency to qualify for France internationally, and was included in the 30-man France squad for the 2014 November internationals.[2] He made his debut for France in their 40–15 win over Fiji on 8 November 2014.

References
  1. "Player profile". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  2. "French selectors look to foreign legion". ESPN Scrum. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
  3. "How big will rugby players get?". BBC News.
  4. Freeman, Rich (12 June 2009). "Larger than life Atonio aims for JWC semi". IRB. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  5. Savage, Jared (6 May 2007). "Rugby: Weeny the sleeping giant". New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  6. "R-E-S-P-E-C-T!". The Aucklander. 28 August 2008. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  7. "Samoa Under20s to Face Japan". Samoa Rugby Union. 7 June 2009. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
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