Vili Tolutaʻu (born January 26, 1994) is an American rugby union player who plays as a forward for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby (MLR).[1] He also represents America playing for the United States men's national team.
| Date of birth | January 26, 1994 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Kahului, Hawaii | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 236 lb (107 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Baldwin High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Central Washington University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Prior to joining the Free Jacks, Tolutaʻu played for the Seattle Seawolves for 2 full seasons and the shortened 2020 MLR season. Tolutaʻu was a part of two-time championship winning Seawolves in 2018 and 2019, as well as being the MVP of the Championship Match in 2018.
Tolutaʻu previously represented the United States at the international level with several age-grade sides. Tolutaʻu also previously played for the USA Falcons, the developmental side for the United States men's national rugby sevens team.
Early life
editVili Tolutaʻu was born on January 26, 1994.[2] Tolutaʻu attended Baldwin High School and began playing rugby with the Maui Warriors as a teenager.[3] After graduating from Baldwin High School, Tolutaʻu attended Central Washington University, playing for the school's rugby teams and graduating in June 2018 with a bachelor's degree in construction management.[4]
Club career
editIt was announced in April 2018 that Tolutaʻu had signed with the Seattle Seawolves for Major League Rugby's (MLR) inaugural 2018 season.[5] Tolutaʻu made his debut for the Seawolves on April 23, appearing as a first half substitute in a 39–23 victory over San Diego.[6] Tolutaʻu scored his first try for the Seawolves on April 29, starting at flanker in a 19–15 defeat to Glendale.[7] Tolutaʻu was named Most Valuable Player (equivalent to man of the match) in the 2018 Major League Rugby final, as the Seawolves won the championship match 23–19.[8] Tolutaʻu was also named to the All-MLR First Team, at flanker, for the 2018 season.[9]
International career
editUSA High School All-Americans
editTolutaʻu first represented the United States as a member of the United States men's national under-19 team (High School All-Americans) for two consecutive years, while a member of the Maui Warriors.[10]
USA Junior All-Americans
editTolutaʻu represented the United States playing for the United States men's national under-20 team (Junior All-Americans) in the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship.[4][11]
USA Collegiate All-Americans
editTolutaʻu played for the United States men's national under-23 team (Collegiate All-Americans) for two years.[10]
USA Selects
editIn September 2018, it was announced that Tolutaʻu had been selected for the USA Selects roster for the 2018 Americas Pacific Challenge (APC).[12] Tolutaʻu made his debut with the Selects on October 6, 2018, appearing as a substitute and scoring a try, in the Selects' 39–30 defeat to Tonga in the APC.[13]
USA Eagles
editTolutaʻu made his debut with the USA Eagles on June 23, 2018, appearing as a substitute (playing at flanker), in the Eagles' 42–17 victory against Canada in a mid-year test.[14]
USA Falcons
editTolutaʻu has competed for the USA Falcons, the developmental side for the United States men's national rugby sevens team, at the Las Vegas Invitational Tournament.[10]
References
edit- ^ "FREE JACKS WELCOME BREAKOUT MLR HOOKER, VILI TOLUTA'U, TO NEW ENGLAND FOR THE 2021 MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY SEASON". New England Free Jacks. Major League Rugby.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "Vili Tolutaʻu". USA Rugby. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- ^ "Maui's Tolutau is 'living a dream' in Major League Rugby's inaugural season". KHON. May 24, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- ^ a b Collias, Robert (June 29, 2018). "Toluta'u continues to soar to new heights". The Maui News. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
- ^ "Toluta'u signs with MLR's Seawolves". The Maui News. April 11, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- ^ "Seattle scrums San Diego into submission". Americas Rugby News. April 23, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- ^ "Glendale hold on to edge Seawolves in Seattle rain". Americas Rugby News. April 29, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- ^ Strickler, Colton (July 8, 2018). "Big Second Half Propels Seawolves Over Raptors in Inaugural MLR Championship". Major League Rugby. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
- ^ "Major League Rugby Announces First and Second All-MLR Teams". Major League Rugby. July 3, 2018. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Vili Tolutaʻu". Seattle Seawolves. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
- ^ "IRB Junior World Championship 2013, Match 1". worldrugby.org. World Rugby. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
- ^ "USA Selects named for Americas Pacific Challenge". Americas Rugby News. September 13, 2018. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
- ^ Tabani, Aalina (October 6, 2018). "Men's Selects drop Match One of Americas Pacific Challenge 2018 to Tonga A, 39-30". Montevideo, Uruguay: USA Rugby. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ "United States of America Tour - NS, 23 June 2018, 15:00 local, 22:00 GMT". espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved September 20, 2018.