Viliami Maʻasi (born 31 July 1975)[3] is a Tongan former Rugby Union international player. He represented Tonga at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
| Date of birth | 31 July 1975 [1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Tonga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 184 cm (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 105 kg (16 st 7 lb) [2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Early life
editThe fourth of seven boys, Ma'asi grew up just outside the Tongan capital of Nuku’alofa. He trained as a health officer on the main island, and was posted in Neiafu. He moved to England to play rugby union in 2001 and signed for Cornish Pirates.[4]
Playing career
editHe won 36 caps for Tonga and played at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.[5] He played as a hooker, and played club rugby in Britain for Cornish Pirates until 2007 when he signed for Leeds Carnegie.[6] He also played for London Welsh prior to his release in 2012.[7][8] He was laterly club captain at Ampthill, before retiring aged 41 years-old in 2016, after making 195 appearances in total in English league rugby.[9][10]
Coaching career
editIn 2017, he began coaching the Peterborough Lions.[11] With the club he won promotion from Regional 1 Midlands to National League 2 North in 2018.[12][13]
Personal life
editHis son Rekeiti Ma'asi-White plays for Sale Sharks in the Rugby Premiership. Another son, Samson, captained England at U18 level had to give up the game after requiring a kidney transplant from Ma'asi.[14][15]
References
edit- ^ "V.Ma'asi". ESPN. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "V.Ma'asi". Its Rugby. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "V.Ma'asi". ESPN. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "Vili Ma'asi". The Rugby Journal. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ Jaycock, Ben (15 February 2024). "YOUNG GUNS: REKEITI MA'ASI-WHITE". The Rugby Paper.
- ^ Bolton, Paul (16 April 2007). "Ma'asi leads Cornish charge as Pirates overhaul Exeter". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ Curtis, Tony. "London Welsh preview 2012/13". Sky Sports. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ Thomas, Claire. "Tongan heart, English soul, Rekeiti Ma'asi-White aims for Test stardom". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "Club Captain Viliami Ma'asi Retires". Ampthillrufc. December 14, 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ Byrom, David (24 August 2017). "Exeter Chiefs hand trial to England youth international Suva Ma'asi". Devon Live. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "Viliami Ma'asi new coach of Peterborough Lions". Matangitonga.to. August 22, 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ Swan, Alan (5 June 2020). "Positive Peterborough Lions boss says his club will bounce back as things improve on and off the pitch". Peterborough Today. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ "Moyle confident Ma'asi factor will entice new talent". The Rugby Paper. 13 May 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ Thomas, Claire. "Tongan heart, English soul, Rekeiti Ma'asi-White aims for Test stardom". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
- ^ Schofield, Daniel (11 December 2019). "'He needs my kidney more than me': Vili Ma'asi and the incredible sacrifice made to save his son's health and career". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 15 February 2024.