Pila Fifita
Encyclopedia
Pila Fifita is a rugby union
player who has represented Tonga
, including one cap during the 2003 Rugby World Cup
. He also played two seasons for the New Zealand Divisional 15. He is a strong winger with the determination to get to the line, and the ability to get there.
in 2000. He along with most of his teammates suffered losses in his first two seasons the worst being in 2001 in the NPC final, but he enjoyed success in 2002 when he was a main part of the NPC 3rd Division winning team. 2002 was a great year for fifita, scoring a convincing 15 tries for the season including three hat-tricks, the best coming in the final against Horowhenua-Kapita making him the first person out of any of the NPC divisions to score three tries in a NPC final. He ended up scoring 79 points for the season. Fifita played many matches for North Otago
the last coming at the end of the 2005 season, he was a stand out player in the union and he was arguerably one of North Otago's
greatest and most valuarable players.
Fifita signed a deal with European club Saracens
in 2004. The Saracens
head coach Rod Kafer said "We have been looking to get the correct balance and variety in our back line and we feel Pila will provide that.
He's a very powerful player who can break the gain line
and carry the ball in an uncompromising way. We've cast the net far and wide in order to get the balance in our squad." So Fifita joined his new side after his last season for North Otago
.
he went to play for the Japanese club Fukuoka Sanix Blues
in the Top League
. He is currently still playing for the Fukuoka Sanix Blues
.
in 2002 and 2003, Pila Fifita was called into the Tongan rugby world cup squad to replace Aisea Havili
after he withdrew because of a leg injury. North Otago chief executive Ian Patterson said Fifita's selection was exciting for the province. "We're absolutely thrilled for Pila. He's had a very strong couple of seasons and it's great for him to get this reward.
"He's a major part of our team and we will miss him". Fifita got to play one match in the 2003 rugby world cup on October 29 against Canada
. In 2005 Fifita was again called into the Tongan rugby team but like in 2003 he only played one match.
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 has represented Tonga
Tonga national rugby union team
The Tonga national rugby union team is nicknamed Ikale Tahi . Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a war dance – the Kailao . They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance along with Fiji and Samoa...
, including one cap during the 2003 Rugby World Cup
2003 Rugby World Cup
The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England. Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and Rugby World...
. He also played two seasons for the New Zealand Divisional 15. He is a strong winger with the determination to get to the line, and the ability to get there.
North Otago
Pila Fifita debuted for North OtagoNorth Otago Rugby Football Union
The North Otago Rugby Football Union is a New Zealand rugby union province based in Oamaru and current holders of the Meads cup, the top trophy in the Heartland Championship. They are one of the strongest teams in The Heartland Championship, winning the Meads Cup section of the competition in its...
in 2000. He along with most of his teammates suffered losses in his first two seasons the worst being in 2001 in the NPC final, but he enjoyed success in 2002 when he was a main part of the NPC 3rd Division winning team. 2002 was a great year for fifita, scoring a convincing 15 tries for the season including three hat-tricks, the best coming in the final against Horowhenua-Kapita making him the first person out of any of the NPC divisions to score three tries in a NPC final. He ended up scoring 79 points for the season. Fifita played many matches for North Otago
North Otago Rugby Football Union
The North Otago Rugby Football Union is a New Zealand rugby union province based in Oamaru and current holders of the Meads cup, the top trophy in the Heartland Championship. They are one of the strongest teams in The Heartland Championship, winning the Meads Cup section of the competition in its...
the last coming at the end of the 2005 season, he was a stand out player in the union and he was arguerably one of North Otago's
North Otago Rugby Football Union
The North Otago Rugby Football Union is a New Zealand rugby union province based in Oamaru and current holders of the Meads cup, the top trophy in the Heartland Championship. They are one of the strongest teams in The Heartland Championship, winning the Meads Cup section of the competition in its...
greatest and most valuarable players.
Saracens
After playing for North OtagoNorth Otago Rugby Football Union
The North Otago Rugby Football Union is a New Zealand rugby union province based in Oamaru and current holders of the Meads cup, the top trophy in the Heartland Championship. They are one of the strongest teams in The Heartland Championship, winning the Meads Cup section of the competition in its...
Fifita signed a deal with European club Saracens
Saracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
in 2004. The Saracens
Saracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
head coach Rod Kafer said "We have been looking to get the correct balance and variety in our back line and we feel Pila will provide that.
He's a very powerful player who can break the gain line
Gain line
The gain line is a term used in rugby union. It is an imaginary line [parallel to the halfway line] drawn across the pitch at the point where there is a breakdown in open play, such as a ruck, maul or scrum. Advancing across the gain line represents a gain in territory...
and carry the ball in an uncompromising way. We've cast the net far and wide in order to get the balance in our squad." So Fifita joined his new side after his last season for North Otago
North Otago Rugby Football Union
The North Otago Rugby Football Union is a New Zealand rugby union province based in Oamaru and current holders of the Meads cup, the top trophy in the Heartland Championship. They are one of the strongest teams in The Heartland Championship, winning the Meads Cup section of the competition in its...
.
Fukuoka Sanix Blues
After playing a couple of seasons in Europe for SaracensSaracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
he went to play for the Japanese club Fukuoka Sanix Blues
Fukuoka Sanix Blues
, formerly Fukuoka Sanix Bombs, is a Japanese rugby union team based in Munakata, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Founded in April 1994 , the team rose rapidly through the Kyūshū leagues and was in the Top League for the first season as Kyūshū's sole representative, but lost a relegation battle with...
in the Top League
Top League
The Top League is a professional rugby union league created by the Japan Rugby Football Union to drive up the overall standard and popularity of the sport in the country and improve the results of the Japan national rugby union team. The first season was 2003-04 and featured 12 teams...
. He is currently still playing for the Fukuoka Sanix Blues
Fukuoka Sanix Blues
, formerly Fukuoka Sanix Bombs, is a Japanese rugby union team based in Munakata, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Founded in April 1994 , the team rose rapidly through the Kyūshū leagues and was in the Top League for the first season as Kyūshū's sole representative, but lost a relegation battle with...
.
Tonga
In 2003 after playing impressive matches for North OtagoNorth Otago Rugby Football Union
The North Otago Rugby Football Union is a New Zealand rugby union province based in Oamaru and current holders of the Meads cup, the top trophy in the Heartland Championship. They are one of the strongest teams in The Heartland Championship, winning the Meads Cup section of the competition in its...
in 2002 and 2003, Pila Fifita was called into the Tongan rugby world cup squad to replace Aisea Havili
Aisea Havili
Aisea Havili Kaufusi is a Tongan rugby union footballer, who currently played most recently as a winger for the Cornish Pirates in National Division One as well as for the Tonga national team.-Club career:...
after he withdrew because of a leg injury. North Otago chief executive Ian Patterson said Fifita's selection was exciting for the province. "We're absolutely thrilled for Pila. He's had a very strong couple of seasons and it's great for him to get this reward.
"He's a major part of our team and we will miss him". Fifita got to play one match in the 2003 rugby world cup on October 29 against Canada
Canada national rugby union team
The Canada national rugby union team represents Canada in international rugby union. They are governed by Rugby Canada, and play in red and black. Canada is classified by the International Rugby Board as a tier two rugby nation. There are ten tier one nations, and seven tier two nations, the...
. In 2005 Fifita was again called into the Tongan rugby team but like in 2003 he only played one match.