Tanielu "Tani" Fuga (born 14 July 1973)[1] is a Samoan rugby union player. Born in Apia, he was brought up by his grandparents, Iosia and Salavao Fuga and they moved to Auckland in 1986 for him to study.[1] He attended Waitakere College in Auckland and played for the Waitemata club.

Tani Fuga
Birth nameTanielu Fuga
Date of birth (1973-07-14) July 14, 1973 (age 51)
Place of birthSamoa
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight16 st 3 lb (103 kg)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker
Current team Harlequins
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2000 - 2010; Harlequins 182 (100)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1999 - 2007; Samoa 9 (9)

He played as hooker and, after playing for Samoa in 1999, decided to move to the UK as one of his idols, Keith Wood played there for Harlequins.[1] Tani joined Quins in 2000 and made his debut as a replacement against London Wasps on 9 September that year. He scored his first try for the club in the European Challenge Cup victory over Périgueux at the Twickenham Stoop on 7 October 2000. He retired from playing after a benefit year organised at Harlequins in 2010 and returned to New Zealand.[2]

He won nine caps for Samoa and scored a try in his second game against New Zealand back in June 1999. He was a member of the Samoan squad at the 2007 Rugby World Cup finals.

Fuga opened a branch of Nando's in Ponsonby Road, Auckland, New Zealand on 6 September 2011 for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "The Big Bang". Rugby Unplugged. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  2. ^ "Winning end for Harlequins". PlanetRugby. 10 May 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  3. ^ "Nando's franchise fight heats up". New Zealand Herald. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
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