Anitelia Tuilagi
Encyclopedia
Anitelea "Andy" Tuilagi (born 5 June 1986) is a Samoa
n international rugby union
player who plays for Newport Gwent Dragons
either at wing or outside centre.
He has played club rugby for Leicester Tigers
, in the Guinness Premiership
, and a season loan at Leeds Tykes, now Leeds Carnegie, in National Division One. Tuilagi made his Leicester début at Welford Road
against Gloucester as a replacement.
Tuilagi is the younger brother of Henry
, Freddie
and Alex
who are also Samoan internationals and all of whom have played for Leicester Tigers. He became the fourth member of the Tuilagi family to play at Leicester since elder brother Freddie Tuilagi made the move from St Helens rugby league club in June 2000. Two younger brothers, Vavae
and Manu
have also played for the Tigers. He has gained seven caps for Samoa.
Following a loan period at Leeds, Tuilagi ended his contract with Leicester Tigers to join Leeds Carnegie full time.
On 19 August 2008 Tuilagi was confirmed as the last signing that would be joining Guinness Premiership
side Sale Sharks
on a 4 year contract.
On 13 June 2011 Sale Sharks announced that Tuilagi had been released from his contract after three years and on 29 November 2011 he joined Newport Gwent Dragons
.
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
n international rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player who plays for Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons are one of the four professional Rugby Union regional teams in Wales. They are jointly owned by Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union and play all their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Heineken Cup...
either at wing or outside centre.
He has played club rugby for Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
, in the Guinness Premiership
Guinness Premiership
The English Premiership, also currently known as the Aviva Premiership because of the league's sponsorship by Aviva, is a professional league competition for rugby union football clubs in the top division of the English rugby system. There are twelve clubs in the Premiership...
, and a season loan at Leeds Tykes, now Leeds Carnegie, in National Division One. Tuilagi made his Leicester début at Welford Road
Welford Road Stadium
Welford Road is a rugby union stadium in Leicester, England and is the home ground for Leicester Tigers. It is located between Aylestone Road and Welford Road on the edge of the city centre...
against Gloucester as a replacement.
Tuilagi is the younger brother of Henry
Henry Tuilagi
Enele "Henry" Tuilagi is a Samoan rugby union footballer. He currently plays for USA Perpignan in the French club competition, the Top 14, and has appeared four times for his national team Samoa...
, Freddie
Freddie Tuilagi
Fereti Tuilagi is a former Samoan rugby union Rugby player who previously played rugby league for Halifax Blue Sox and St. Helens. He played as a wing or centre and now is currently retired...
and Alex
Alesana Tuilagi
Alesana "Alex" Tuilagi is a Samoan rugby union footballer. He currently plays for the Leicester Tigers in the English club competition, the Aviva Premiership, and has appeared numerous times for his national team Samoa...
who are also Samoan internationals and all of whom have played for Leicester Tigers. He became the fourth member of the Tuilagi family to play at Leicester since elder brother Freddie Tuilagi made the move from St Helens rugby league club in June 2000. Two younger brothers, Vavae
Sanele Vavae Tuilagi
Sanele Vavae Tuilagi is a Samoan professional rugby union player. Sanele is the younger brother of Henry, Freddie, Alesana and Anitelea Tuilagi who are all Samoan internationals. He is also the older brother of Manu Tuilagi, an England international.Sanele played for the Samoan National U-20 team...
and Manu
Manu Tuilagi
Manu Samoa Tuilagi is a Samoan born British professional rugby union player who currently plays for Aviva Premiership side Leicester Tigers...
have also played for the Tigers. He has gained seven caps for Samoa.
Following a loan period at Leeds, Tuilagi ended his contract with Leicester Tigers to join Leeds Carnegie full time.
On 19 August 2008 Tuilagi was confirmed as the last signing that would be joining Guinness Premiership
Guinness Premiership
The English Premiership, also currently known as the Aviva Premiership because of the league's sponsorship by Aviva, is a professional league competition for rugby union football clubs in the top division of the English rugby system. There are twelve clubs in the Premiership...
side Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks are a professional rugby union club who play in England in the Aviva Premiership.The club is an offshoot of Sale FC, which is based at Heywood Road in Sale, Greater Manchester, but Sharks currently play in Stockport at Edgeley Park, ground sharing with Stockport County F.C.Part of the...
on a 4 year contract.
On 13 June 2011 Sale Sharks announced that Tuilagi had been released from his contract after three years and on 29 November 2011 he joined Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons
Newport Gwent Dragons are one of the four professional Rugby Union regional teams in Wales. They are jointly owned by Newport RFC and the Welsh Rugby Union and play all their home games at Rodney Parade, Newport. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the Heineken Cup...
.