Henry Taefu Explained

Henry Taefu
Fullname:Leo Henry Taefu
Birth Date:2 April 1993
Birth Place:Apia, Samoa
Height:1830NaN0
Weight:1000NaN0
Position:Centre
Currentclub:Moana Pasifika
Years1:2014
Clubs1:Greater Sydney Rams
Apps1:6
Points1:15
Years2:2015–2017
Clubs2:Brisbane City
Apps2:12
Points2:12
Years3:2016
Clubs3:Reds
Apps3:4
Points3:11
Years4:2017–2018
Clubs4:Colomiers
Apps4:20
Points4:20
Years5:2018–2021
Clubs5:Force
Apps5:27
Points5:10
Years6:2021-
Clubs6:North Harbour
Apps6:2
Points6:0
Years7:2022–
Clubs7:Moana Pasifika
Apps7:8
Points7:0
Repyears1:2013
Repteam1:Australia U20
Repcaps1:2
Reppoints1:0
Repyears2:2017–
Repteam2:Samoa
Repcaps2:12
Reppoints2:63
Clubupdate:20 July 2022
Repupdate:20 July 2022

Henry Taefu (born 2 April 1993) is a Samoan professional Rugby Union player. He currently plays for in the Bunnings NPC and Moana Pasifika in the Super Rugby Pacific,[1] having previously played for the Western Force in Australia’s Super Rugby AU. His playing position is inside centre.[2] [3] [4]

Early / provincial career

Taefu was born in Apia, the capital city of Samoa, but moved to New Zealand with his family at age 9, then to Brisbane in Australia aged 12.[5] [6] He attended school at the famed Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane and upon graduation joined the Parramatta Eels, a rugby league club based in the suburbs of Sydney. However, in 2012 he moved back to Queensland and joined Queensland Premier Rugby side Sunnybank. He helped the Dragons reach the grand final of the competition in 2014 and was the team's 5th highest point scorer in 2015. His form at this level earned selection for the ahead of the inaugural National Rugby Championship in 2014. He was on the move again in 2015, heading back north to Brisbane to join .[3]

Super Rugby career

Taefu’s performances over 2 seasons in the National Rugby Championship saw Super Rugby franchise, the Queensland Reds, come calling in 2016. He debuted in the derby match against the on 27 February and went on to make 4 appearances during the season, netting 4 conversions and one penalty.[7] On 17 October 2021, it was announced that Henry signed with the new Super Rugby franchise, Moana Pasifika[8]

International

Taefu was selected as a member of the Australia Under-20 squad which competed in the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship in France. He played 2 matches before succumbing to a shoulder injury which required surgery that in turn uncovered an undiagnosed adrenal gland tumour. He has played for the Manu Samoa since 2017 and played in their 2019 Rugby World Cup Squad. He scored all 19 points in the third pool game against Japan.[4] In 2021, he started both 2023 World Cup Qualifiers against Tonga.

Super Rugby statistics

[7]

Season Team Games Starts Sub Mins Tries Cons Pens Drops Points Yel Red
4 4 0 207 0 4 1 0 11 0 0
Total 4 4 0 207 0 4 1 0 11 0 0

Notes and References

  1. Moana Pasifika community celebrates historic first Super Rugby squad . Moana Pasifika . 22 November 2021 . 23 November 2021.
  2. Web site: Henry Taefu Queensland Reds Player Profile . Reds Rugby . 17 August 2016.
  3. Web site: Henry Taefu Brisbane City Player Profile . Reds Rugby . 17 August 2016.
  4. Web site: Henry Taefu Rugby Australia Player Profile . Rugby Australia . 17 August 2016.
  5. Web site: Reds star returns to his roots.
  6. Web site: Boy from Falelatai realises blue dream.
  7. Web site: Henry Taefu itsrugby Player Statistics . itsrugby . 17 August 2016.
  8. Web site: Moana Pasifika announce signings of three Manu Samoa internationals.