David Ainuʻu Explained

David Ainuʻu
Fullname:David Faimafiliotamaʻitaʻi Ainuʻu
Birth Date:20 November 1999
Birth Place:American Samoa
Weight:275lb
School:Capital High School
Ru Position:Prop
Ru Amateuryears: 
 
 
 –2017
Ru Amateurclubs:Prairie RFC
Liberty
Washington Loggers
Seattle Saracens
Ru Amupdate:6 March 2019
Ru Clubyears:2017–
Ru Proclubs:Toulouse
Ru Clubcaps:60
Ru Clubpoints:(0)
Ru Clubupdate:10 April 2023[1]
Ru Nationalteam:United States U19
United States U20
United States
Ru Nationalyears: 

2018–
Ru Nationalcaps: 
 
19
Ru Nationalpoints: 
 
(5)
Ru Ntupdate:3 May 2023

David Faimafiliotamaʻitaʻi Ainuʻu (born 20 November 1999)[2] is a rugby union player who plays as a prop for Toulouse in France's Top14 and for the United States men's national team. Ainuʻu has also represented the United States with multiple age-grade sides—including the United States national under-20 rugby union team.

Early life

David Ainuʻu was born in American Samoa[3] [4] on 20 November 1999. Ainuʻu was first introduced to rugby when he was the water boy for his brother's team.[5] He first played rugby himself with Prairie RFC in Yelm, Washington. Ainuʻu was also selected to play for the Washington Loggers, Rugby Washington's state-level representative side. Ainuʻu attended Capital High School in Olympia, Washington.[6]

Club career

Prior to December 2017, Ainuʻu played rugby for Seattle Saracens in the CDI Premier League. In December 2017, Ainuʻu signed a six-month academy contract with Toulouse in France's Top14. (Ainuʻu had previously agreed to join the Seattle Seawolves for Major League Rugby's inaugural 2018 season, but ended that agreement before the season began in order to play at the higher-level of competition.)[7] In September 2018, Ainuʻu re-signed with Toulouse, committing to the club through the 2020–21 season.[8] Ainuʻu made his Top 14 debut for Toulouse on 23 September 2018, appearing as a halftime-substitute in a 66–15 defeat to Montpellier.[9] [10]

International career

USA Junior All-Americans

Ainuʻu was named to the United States national under-20 rugby union team (Junior All-Americans) ahead of a pair of 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Trophy qualification matches against Canada.

USA Eagles

Ainuʻu was first named to the roster of the United States senior national team ahead of the 2018 June rugby union tests,[11] but did not make an appearance for the team at that time, instead playing for the Junior All-Americans. Ainuʻu made his debut for the Eagles on 10 November 2018, appearing as a substitute, in the Eagles' 30–29 victory over Samoa during the 2018 end-of-year tests.[12] Ainuʻu made his first appearance in the Eagles' starting lineup on 2 March 2019 in a 32–25 defeat to Uruguay during the 2019 Americas Rugby Championship.[13]

Honours

Toulouse

Notes and References

  1. Web site: David AINU'U, Prop . its rugby . 5 April 2022.
  2. Web site: David Ainuʻu . espn.co.uk . . 26 February 2019.
  3. News: Kinsella . Murray . 22 October 2018 . Toulouse's exciting young guns show the way as Leinster come up short . . . 6 March 2019.
  4. Web site: USA prospect David Ainuʻu signs for Toulouse . 29 December 2017 . Americas Rugby News . 26 February 2019.
  5. Web site: Dave Ainuu Lands in France with Stade Toulousain . Wade . Gareth . 27 December 2017 . . 26 February 2019.
  6. Web site: David Ainuu . . 6 March 2019.
  7. Web site: Top USA Prospect David Ainuu Signs With Toulouse . Goff . Alex . 27 December 2017 . FloRugby . FloSports . 26 February 2019.
  8. Web site: Ainuʻu extends Toulouse stay, called into Senior Squad . 21 September 2018 . Americas Rugby News . 26 February 2019.
  9. Web site: Ainuu Getting Time with Toulouse . Goff . Alex . 5 October 2018 . Goff Rugby Report . 26 February 2019.
  10. Web site: Montpellier v Toulouse . RugbyPass . 26 February 2019.
  11. Web site: Ainuʻu called up to Eagles squad . 25 May 2018 . Americas Rugby News . 4 March 2019.
  12. Web site: United States of America Tour - San Sebastian, 10 November 2018, 18:30 local, 17:30 GMT . espn.co.uk . . 2 March 2019.
  13. Web site: Americas Rugby Championship - Seattle, 2 March 2019, 19:10 local, 03:10 GMT +1d . espn.co.uk . . 2 March 2019.