Mike Tamoaieta Explained

Mike Tamoaieta
Birth Date:	6 July 1995
Birth Place:	Apia, Samoa
Height:	176cm (69inches)
Weight:	118kg (260lb)
School:	Sacred Heart College
Ru Currentposition:	Prop
Ru Clubyears:	2017–2018 2018
Ru Proclubs:	North Harbour Blues
Ru Clubcaps:	18 10
Ru Clubpoints:	(0) (0)
Ru Clubupdate:	29 September 2018
Ru Nationalyears:	2015
Ru Nationalteam:	Samoa U20
Ru Nationalcaps:	5
Ru Nationalpoints:	(0)
Ru Ntupdate:	20 June 2015

Michael Tamoaieta (6 July 1995 – 1 March 2019) was a Samoan-born rugby union player. A prop, Tamoaieta represented at a provincial level, and played for the in the Super Rugby competition.^[1]

Tamoaieta died on 1 March 2019.^[2]

Professional career

2017–2019

In August 2017, the North Harbour Rugby Union released their 33-man squad for the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup with the inclusion of Tamoaieta.^[3] He was one of five players announced to make their debut in week one of the competition against Otago at QBE Stadium. Tamoaieta started in the match day fifteen at tighthead prop.^[4]

Personal life

Death

Tamoaieta died on 1 March 2019, aged 23, at his home in Auckland which was announced on social media by his partner Helen Ti'eti'e the following day.^[5] The cause of death was not made public.^[6] Tributes and condolences were offered by New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew, New Zealand international Ardie Savea, and the Blues Super Rugby franchise.^[6] In week two of the 2019 Super Rugby season, New Zealand teams, the Chiefs, the Crusaders, and the Blues wore black armbands to pay their respects and an acknowledgment of his life at their respective games in Hamilton, Brisbane, and Argentina.^[7]

Statistics

Club	Year	Competition
North Harbour	2017	Mitre 10 Cup (incl. Ranfurly Shield)	11	8	0	0	0	0	0	72.73	0	0
2018	7	2	0	0	0	0	0	57.14	0	0
Blues	2018	Super Rugby	10	2	0	0	0	0	0	30.00	0	0
Career	28	12	0	0	0	0	0	53.57	0	0

Updated: 29 September 2018Source: Michael Tamoaieta Rugby History

Notes and References

1. Web site: Mike Tamoaieta. www.theblues.co.nz. 11 December 2017.
2. News: Blues and North Harbour prop Mike Tamoaieta dies . Stuff.co.nz . 2 March 2019 . 2 March 2019.
3. Web site: QBE North Harbour Mitre 10 Cup squad 2017 announced . Harbour Rugby . 8 August 2017 . 2 March 2019 .
4. Web site: QBE North Harbour named to play Otago in Mitre 10 Cup opener . Harbour Rugby . 17 August 2017 . 2 March 2019 .
5. Web site: Blues, North Harbour player Mike Tamoaieta, 23, dies . New Zealand Herald . 2 March 2019 . 2 March 2019 .
6. Web site: Blues player Michael Tamoaieta dies, aged 23 . Stephen Foote . Newshub . 2 March 2019 . 2 March 2019 .
7. Web site: A moment for Mike Tamoaieta ahead of tonight's Super Rugby games . New Zealand Herald . 2 March 2019 . 2 March 2019 .