Talite Vaioleti
Tonga international rugby union player
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Talite Vaioleti (born 13 November 1980) is a Tongan rugby union player, born in Haveluloto, Tonga,[1] who plays for National League 1 side, Darlington Mowden Park R.F.C.[2] He is a utility player able to play as a Lock or in the Back Row.[3]
November 13, 1980
| Born | Talite Vaioleti November 13, 1980 Haveluloto, Tonga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 115 kg (254 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career
Vaioleti started to play rugby for Club Levengamalie in 2003.[1] After a club tour to New Zealand, he was persuaded to turn professional and in 2005,[1] was selected to play for Tonga against France. While in France, he was approached to play club rugby in Europe. As a result of this, Vaioleti played one season with Royan in France.[4] From there along with some fellow Tongan players, he moved to England to play for Hertford in 2006.[4] In 2007, Vaioleti joined Jersey[5] where he became captain and led them to two promotions and a game at Twickenham Stadium in London.[4] In 2010, Vaioleti left Jersey to move to Wharfedale after a recommendation from fellow Tongan, Latu Makaafi.[5] After a season, in 2011 he moved to Rotherham Titans where despite making 8 appearances for them in the RFU Championship, due to a lack of starts he moved back to Jersey, who had just been promoted to the RFU Championship, in 2012.[6]
International career
Vaioleti has represented Tonga twice as well as appeared a number of times for Tonga A. In 2010 he received an invitation to represent The Barbarians under England national coach, Brian Ashton against a Forces XV where he scored two tries.[4]
Personal life
Vaioleti was married to a Jerseywoman named Catherine whom he met during his first stint at Jersey.[7] Vaioleti is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Between 2001 and 2003 he was a missionary in Australia.[1] In 2011, he was interviewed by the BBC for a radio programme about the haka.[8]