Penioni Tagituimua (born 20 January 1999)[2] is a Fijian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a hooker or halfback for the Kaiviti Silktails in the Ron Massey Cup and Fiji at international level.
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| Full name | Penioni Tagituimua | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 20 January 1999 Suva, Central Division, Fiji | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 175 cm (5 ft 9 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 90 kg (14 st 2 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Hooker, Halfback | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] As of 10 November 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing career
editTagituimua began playing rugby league in 2013 for the Nadera Panthers.[3]
While attending Suva Grammar School in 2015, he was awarded a three-year rugby union scholarship at Ellesmere College.[4][3]
In 2019, Tagituimua was the only player from the Fijian domestic competition to be included in Fiji's squad for their mid-season match against Lebanon. Initially selected to be the 18th man, a number of injuries and unavailabilities allowed him to make his Test debut off the interchange bench in the 56–14 win.[5][6] In November, Tagituimua played off the interchange bench in both of Fiji's Oceania Cup matches.[citation needed]
Tagituimua joined the Kaiviti Silktails for their inaugural season in 2020, scoring twice[7] in their first and only match of the COVID-19 affected year.
In 2021, Tagituimua was named the captain of the Kaiviti side.[8]
On 23 May 2021, he made his NSW Cup debut after being called into the North Sydney Bears' team to play Mounties.[9]
In the second group stage match of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup, Tagituimua scored two tries for Fiji in their 60-4 victory over Italy.[10]
Personal life
editTagituimua's father Ilaitia is a pastor and was a spiritual adviser for the Fijian team at the 2008, 2013, and 2017 Rugby League World Cups.[2] Tagituimua's uncle Nemani Matirewa was a Fijian dual-code rugby international who was a pioneer of rugby league in the country.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Penioni Tagituimua". Rugby League Project.
- ^ a b Nasokia, Waisea (13 January 2021). "'League For Me, Just Like Dad'". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ a b Talebula Kate (4 July 2019). "Tagituimua sets target". Fiji Times. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ Mannan, Justine (18 September 2015). "Scholarships For Trio". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ "Local based halfback to make Fiji Bati debut". RNZ News. 17 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
- ^ "Fiji vs Lebanon". Wide World of Sports. 22 June 2019. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
- ^ Nasokia, Waisea (15 March 2020). "Silky Silktails". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ McDonald, Margie (25 March 2021). "The secret Silktails skipper carried for 10 days". nswrl.com.au. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
- ^ Cabenatabua, Leone (23 May 2021). "Tagituimua in NSW Cup debut". Fiji Sun. Suva. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ "Rugby League World Cup: Fiji thrash Italy 60-4". www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ Tuinuku, Eroni (5 February 2020). "Tagituimua eyes brighter league future". Fiji Times. Retrieved 30 April 2021.