Jone Macilai-Tori Explained

Jone Macilai
Birth Name:Jone Macilai-Tori
Birth Date:27 August 1990
Birth Place:Suva, Fiji
Height:1.78m (05.84feet)
Weight:97kg (214lb)
Ru Position:Wing
Years1:2020
Clubs1:Munakata Sanix Blues
Apps1:3
Points1:10
Ru Provinceyears1:2014–2022
Ru Provinceapps1:59
Ru Provincepoints1:112
Ru Provinceupdate:8 October 2022
Superyears1:2015–2018
Super1:Crusaders
Superapps1:16
Superpoints1:35
Superyears2:2021
Superapps2:0
Superpoints2:0
Super14update:23 August 2021

Jone Macilai-Tori (born 27 August 1990 in Suva, Fiji), is a professional rugby union player.[1] He has previously played for the . Macilai plays as a winger.

Career

Macilai was spotted by local sevens coach Lote Rasiga and was included in the Red Rock sevens squad.[2] He was later spotted by Awanui Rugby Club coach Glen Subritzky playing sevens at Coral Coast sevens tournament in Fiji in 2012 who included him in his squad.[3] His performance for Awanui saw him selected for Northland in 2013 alongside the returning Rupeni Caucau. He missed most of the games in the season due to a dislocated elbow.[4]

A strong 2014 ITM Cup saw him receive Super Rugby offers from the Blues, Highlanders and Crusaders. He signed with the Crusaders and partnered with block busting Fijian winger, Nemani Nadolo.[5]

A broken arm in pre season meant he was out injured for 3 months. He made his debut off the bench on 8 May scoring a try on debut against the Reds.[6]

He mainly played as a backup winger for the Crusaders in the 2016 Super Rugby season behind Nemani Nadolo, Johnny McNicholl and David Havili but a few injuries in the backline to Ryan Crotty and McNicholl saw him start a few games. He started against the Brumbies in Round 8 and scored a try set up by Matt Todd. In Round 10, he started on the left wing due to Nadolo being given a 4 week ban and scored three tries, two of which were set up by Israel Dagg and he also set up a try for Scott Barrett as well. He also charged down a conversion successfully of Red's flyhalf Jake McIntyre which is a rarity in rugby.[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jone Macilai-Tori. itsrugby.co.uk. 14 July 2021.
  2. News: Macilai Gets Crusaders Callup. 3 November 2014. Fiji Sun.
  3. News: Ali. Imran. Winger poised to step up. 3 November 2014. NZ Herald.
  4. News: Northland embarrass Wellington in NPC blowout. 3 November 2014. Stuff.co.nz.
  5. News: Fruean, flying Fijian boost Crusaders. 3 November 2014. TVNZ.
  6. News: Crusaders turn on Christchuch magic. Planet Rugby. 8 May 2015.
  7. Web site: Crusaders hammer the Reds. Stuff. 2016-05-07.