Leva Fifita

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Leva Fifita

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Leva Fifita

Full name

Salesi Halaleva Lapota Fifita

Date of birth

29 July 1989 (age 35)

Place of birth

Neiafu, Tonga

Height

1.94 m (6 ft 4 in)

Weight

118 kg (260 lb; 18 st 8 lb)

Notable relative(s)

Vaea Fifita (brother)

Rugby union career

Senior career
Position(s)	Lock
Current team	Oyonnax Rugby
Years	Team	Apps	(Points)
2016–2017	Waikato	12	(0)
2017–2021	Grenoble	65	(40)
2021–2023	Connacht	24	(10)
2023–present	Oyonnax	2	(0)
Correct as of 4 September 2023
International career
Years	Team	Apps	(Points)
2009	Tonga U20	4	(5)
2017–	Tonga	28	(20)
Correct as of 21 June 2023

Salesi Halaleva Lapota Fifita (born 29 July 1989) is a Tongan professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for Top 14 club Oyonnax Rugby and the Tonga national team.^[1]^[2]

Professional career

[edit]

Club

[edit]

Fifita started his professional career in 2016 playing for Waikato, having previously played for Hamilton Old Boys.^[3] In February 2017 he trained with the Chiefs development squad,^[4] but not play any of the three friendly matches scheduled for the team.

In December 2017 he joined Rugby Pro D2 team FC Grenoble as a replacement for Mickaël Capelli.^[5] In March 2018 he extended his contract until June 2019.^[6] He later extended his contract for three more seasons.^[7] In June 2021 he activated his departure clause early, leaving Grenoble and signing with Irish team Connacht.^[8]^[9]^[10] He made his debut for the club in September 2021.^[11]

He joins Oyonnax Rugby in August 2023.^[12]

International

[edit]

He made his international debut for Tonga against Wales on 16 June 2017.^[13]^[14] He was also part of the Tongan team which emerged as runners-up to Fiji at the 2017 World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup. He was included in the Tongan squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.^[15]^[16] He played four games in this competition, against England, Argentina, France and the United States.^[17] He was selected again to play against Scotland in Tonga's 2021 tour of the northern hemisphere.^[18]

References

[edit]

^ Liam Napier (25 November 2017). "Rugby: How Fifita fits Rookie of Year criteria". ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
^ "Leva Fifita". Connacht Rugby. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
^ "Waikato name national provincial championship squad with classy backline". Stuff. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
^ "Bay players make Chiefs development squad". New Zealand Herald. 22 February 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
^ "FCG : Talakai et Fifita se sont engagés" (in French). Le Dauphine. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
^ "Grenoble : le Tongien Fifita prolonge" (in French). Rugbyrama. 5 March 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
^ "Grenoble : Leva Fifita a prolongé jusqu'en 2022" (in French). L'Equipe. 12 December 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
^ "Pro D2 : Leva Fifita quitte le FCG !" (in French). Le Dauphine. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
^ Adam Kyriacou (31 May 2021). "Connacht sign Tongan powerhouse Leva Fifita". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
^ "Connacht sign Tonga international Leva Fifita from Grenoble". Irish Examiner. 31 May 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
^ "Leva Fifita in line for debut as Connacht welcome Vodacom Bulls to Sportsground". Huge Rugby. 30 September 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
^ "LEVA FIFITA, NOUVEL OYOMAN – OYONNAX RUGBY" (in French). 29 October 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
^ "Tonga v Wales". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
^ "Sport: Tonga picks new look front-row for Wales rugby test". RNZ. 15 June 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
^ "Kefu names squad tasked with making history". rugbyworldcup.com. Rugby World Cup. 1 September 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2019.
^ Aaron Goile (2 September 2019). "Rugby World Cup 2019: Tonga 'fixated' on playoffs dream, says coach Toutai Kefu". Stuff. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
^ "Leva Fifita Tonga". ESPN. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
^ "Tonga select eight new caps to face Scotland". RNZ. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2022.

External links

[edit]

Leva Fifita at European Professional Club Rugby
Leva Fifita at ESPNscrum
Leva Fifita at ItsRugby.co.uk

v t e Tonga squad – 2019 Rugby World Cup
Forwards	Faleafa Fia L. Fifita V. Fifita Fisi'ihoi Halanukonuka Kalamafoni Kapeli Lokotui Lousi Mafi Maile Manu Ngauamo Sakalia Talakai Tameifuna Vaipulu
Backs	Faiva Fisilau Fukofuka Halaifonua Hingano Lolohea Morath Pakalani Piutau (c) Takulua Tuitavake Veainu Vuna
Coach: Kefu

v t e Tonga squad – 2023 Rugby World Cup
Forwards	Anga'aelangi (replaced Maile) Apikotoa Coleman L. Fifita V. Fifita Finau (replaced Funaki) Fisi'ihoi Fotuaika Funaki Halaifonua Havili Talitui Koloamatangi Latu Lousi Mafi Maile Moli Ngauamo S. Paea Tameifuna Tokolahi (replaced Fotuaika) Vailanu
Backs	Ahki Fekitoa Havili Inisi Kata Mausia Moala M. Paea Pellegrini (replaced Mausia) Piutau Pulu Takulua (c) Taumoefolau Taumoepeau Tuitavuki
Coach: Toutai Kefu

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