Vaea Anitoni

Tonga & US international rugby union player From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vaea Naufahu Anitoni (born 20 September 1970) is an American former rugby union player who played wing. Anitoni is the all-time leading try scorer for the U.S. national team. Anitoni played for the United States national team from 1992 to 2000. During that period, Anitoni played in 46 matches, starting 44, and scored 26 tries, a record which still stands today.[3]

BornVaea Naufahu Anitoni
(1970-09-20) 20 September 1970 (age 55)
Tongatapu, Tonga
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg)
Position Wing
Quick facts Born, Height ...
Vaea Anitoni
BornVaea Naufahu Anitoni
(1970-09-20) 20 September 1970 (age 55)
Tongatapu, Tonga
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg)
Rugby union career
Position Wing
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
San Mateo Rugby Club
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1990-1991 ʻEua[1]
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1990 Tonga 1 (0)
1992–2000 United States 46 (130)
Correct as of 10 February 2014[2]
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
United States
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International career

Anitoni made his debut 13 June 1992 against Canada, and scored his first try in his next match for the US on 21 May 1994 against Canada.[4] Anitoni's peak years for the national team were from 1996–1998, when he scored 22 tries in 28 matches.[4] Anitoni twice scored 4 tries in a single match – once against Japan in July 1996 and again against Portugal in April 1998.[4] Anitoni played at the 1999 Rugby World Cup, where he started 3 matches,[5] and was regarded as a game breaker and a key player for the US national team.[6]

Anitoni also played sevens for the U.S. national sevens team. During the mid to late 1990s Anitoni was regarded as one of the most consistent players for the U.S., due to his ability as a creator with speed.[7] Anitoni was a member of the preliminary squad for the United States during the 2000 Rugby World Cup Sevens.[8]

Club rugby

Anitoni played for the Pomona rugby club, San Francisco's Olympic Club, and the San Mateo club which claimed the national sevens championship in 1997.[9]

International tries

More information Try, Opposing team ...
Try Opposing team Venue Competition Date Result Score Ref.
1  CanadaGeorge Allen Field, Long BeachTest match21 May 1994Lost10–15[10]
2  ArgentinaGeorge Allen Field, Long Beach1995 Rugby World Cup Qualifier28 May 1994Lost22–28[11]
3  IrelandLansdowne Road, DublinTest match5 November 1994Lost15–26[12]
4  CanadaBoxer Stadium, San Francisco1996 Pacific Rim Championship11 May 1996Won19–12[13]
5  CanadaThunderbird Stadium, Vancouver1996 Pacific Rim Championship18 May 1996Lost20–24[14]
6  JapanPrince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo1996 Pacific Rim Championship16 June 1996Lost18–24[15]
7
8  Hong KongBoxer Stadium, San Francisco1996 Pacific Rim Championship29 June 1996Won42–23[16]
9
10  JapanBoxer Stadium, San Francisco1996 Pacific Rim Championship6 July 1996Won74–5[17]
11
12
13
14  UruguayFletcher's Fields, Markham1996 Pan-American Championship21 September 1996Won27–13[18]
15  JapanBoxer Stadium, San Francisco1997 Pacific Rim Championship7 June 1997Won51–29[19]
16  WalesWilimingtonTest match5 July 1997Lost20–30[20]
17  WalesBoxer Stadium, San FranciscoTest match12 July 1997Lost23–28[21]
18  PortugalEstádio Universitário de Lisboa, LisbonTest match8 April 1998Won61–5[22]
19
20
21
22  SpainEl Puerto de Santa MaríaTest match12 April 1998Won49–3[23]
23
24  Hong KongAberdeen Stadium, Hong Kong1998 Pacific Rim Championship16 May 1998Lost25–43[24]
25  ArgentinaCricket and Rugby Club, Buenos Aires1999 Rugby World Cup Qualifier15 August 1998Lost24–52[25]
26  CanadaStanley Park, Toronto1999 Pacific Rim Championship19 June 1999Won18–17[26]
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Honors

Individual
  • US Rugby Hall of Fame[27]
  • US all time leading try scorer

References

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