Henry Tatana Explained

Henry Tatana
Fullname:Henry Nardy Tatana
Birth Date:31 March 1945
Birth Place:Auckland, New Zealand
Club1:Glenora Bears
Club2:Mount Albert Lions
Year3start:1972
Year3end:74
Appearances3:47
Tries3:3
Goals3:156
Fieldgoals3:0
Points3:321
Club4:St George Dragons
Year4start:1975
Year4end:76
Appearances4:43
Tries4:4
Goals4:105
Fieldgoals4:0
Points4:222
Club5:Cessnock
Year5start:1977
Year5end:??
Teama:Auckland
Teamb:New Zealand
Yearbstart:1967
Yearbend:71
Appearancesb:9
Triesb:1
Goalsb:23
Fieldgoalsb:0
Pointsb:49
Source:[1]

Henry Nardy Tatana[2] (31 March 1945 – 13 June 1998)[3] was a New Zealand rugby league player. He played for the Glenora Bears, Canterbury-Bankstown, St. George, Cessnock Goannas and the New Zealand national side.

Playing career

Tatana began his career playing in the Auckland Rugby League for the Glenora Bears and the Mount Albert Lions and representing Auckland. During this time he played in nine Test matches for the New Zealand national rugby league team.

In his later years, Tatana moved to Sydney, playing five seasons in the NSWRL First Grade competition. He played for Canterbury-Bankstown from 1972 to 1974, before joining St. George for two seasons in 1975 and 1976, playing under captain-coach Graeme Langlands. The Dragons paid Canterbury $5000, with Tatana earning $12,000 per year.[4] Tatana was a prop forward in the Dragons' 1975 Grand Final team.

A fine goalkicker and prop forward, he was St George's top scorer in 1976 (his final season there), with 105 points.

Tatana captain–coached Newcastle Rugby League club Cessnock Goannas to a grand final win in 1977, his first year with them.[5] He was president of the Cessnock club between 1984 and 1986. An award bearing his name is presented by the Cessnock Goannas each year.

Representative career

Tatana was a New Zealand Kiwi international player and played in the 1968 World Cup. He played 33 matches for New Zealand, including 10 tests, between 1967 and 1971.[3]

Later years

Tatana died in Brisbane on 13 June 1998, age 53.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org. rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. 1 January 2018.
  2. http://nzleague.co.nz/kiwis/player_profile.php?letter=T&id=455 TATANA, Henry Nardy 1967 - 68, 1971 - Kiwi #455
  3. News: Tatana ignored pain in great Kiwi league win. 25 June 1998. Evening Post. 7. Daryl. Holden.
  4. News: Tatana for Saints. 1 October 1974. Canberra Times. 15 September 2014.
  5. Web site: Club History. cessnockrugbyleague.net.au. Cessnock Rugby League Football Club. 21 March 2014.