Manu Vunipola (rugby union, born 1967) explained

Manu Vunipola
Birth Place:Kolomotu'a, Tonga
Height:1.7m (05.6feet)
Weight:82 kg
Relatives:Feʻao Vunipola (brother)
Elisi Vunipola (brother)
Mako Vunipola and Billy Vunipola (nephews)
Occupation:Engineer, Minister of Sport of Tonga[1]
Ru Currentteam:
Ru Position:Scrum-half
Youthyears1: 
Years1:1987–1999
Clubs1:Toa-ko-Ma'afu RFC
Ru Provinceyears1:1987-1991
Ru Province1:ʻEua[2]
Superyears1: 
Repyears1:1987–1999
Repcaps1:36
Reppoints1:9
Ru Sevensnationalyears1: 
Ru Sevensnationalcomp1:1993
Coachyears1:2012–2014[3]
Coachteams1:Tonga

Manu Vunipola (born circa 1967 in Kolomotu'a,[4]) is a Tongan former rugby union player and former Tonga sevens coach. He played as scrum-half. Currently he is the Minister of Sport of Tonga.[5]

Career

Vunipola debuted for Tonga in the 1987 Rugby World Cup, playing only against Wales, in Palmerston North, on 29 May 1987. He also played the 1995 Rugby World Cup, playing the matches against France and against Scotland, in Pretoria. His last international cap was during the match against Fiji in Nuku'alofa, on 26 June 1999.

Personal life

He is brother of the fly-half Elisi Vunipola and of the hooker Feʻao Vunipola, both Tongan internationals. He is also the uncle of Feʻao's sons, Billy and Mako Vunipola, both England internationals.[6]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/320395/sport-former-tongan-player-hopeful-of-hosting-wales Sport: Former Tongan player hopeful of hosting Wales
  2. https://scontent.fbgy1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/69030896_2419984074924439_8835172212374765568_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=T_NUn9Y2WnUAX-9oIsT&_nc_ht=scontent.fbgy1-1.fna&oh=bae1cbb6e9aaae31e8352e43c71acd01&oe=61AB18CE Photo of the Tonga 1991 squad
  3. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/206830/sport-tongan-coach-proud-of-7s-efforts-despite-setbacks Sport: Tongan coach proud of 7s efforts despite setbacks
  4. http://kanivatonga.nz/2013/06/ceo-emeline-tuitas-role-with-tonga-rugby-union-terminated/ CEO Emeline Tuita's role with Tonga Rugby Union terminated
  5. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/320395/sport-former-tongan-player-hopeful-of-hosting-wales Sport: Former Tongan player hopeful of hosting Wales
  6. News: England v Italy: Vunipola brothers Mako and Billy want Mum to see their Sunday best. 7 March 2013. Daily Telegraph. Chadband. Ian.