Nephi Leatigaga Explained

Nephi Leatigaga
Birth Name:Nephi Tupou Leatigaga
Birth Date:5 December 1993
Birth Place:Salelologa, Siumu, Samoa
Height:6ft 4in
Weight:149.10NaN0
Position:Loosehead Prop, Tighthead Prop
Currentclub:New South Wales Waratahs
Years1:2016–2017
Clubs1:Piacenza
Apps1:9
Points1:13
Years2:2017–2019
Clubs2:Biarritz Olympique
Apps2:29
Points2:20
Years3:2019–2023
Clubs3:Leicester Tigers
Apps3:77
Points3:5
Years4:2023
Clubs4:New South Wales Waratahs
Apps4:8
Points4:5
Repyears1:2016 -
Repcaps1:6
Reppoints1:0
Clubupdate:19 April 2023
Repupdate:6 May 2019

Nephi Tupou Leatigaga (born 5 December 1993)[1] is a Samoan rugby union prop for New South Wales Waratahs in Super Rugby. He has previously played for Leicester Tigers in England's Premiership Rugby, Biarritz Olympique in France's Pro D2 and for Piacenza in Italy. He has played six internationals for in 2016 between 2022.[1]

Career

Leatigaga was born in Samoa; he first played for Mt Wellington RFC and Auckland Rugby Union in New Zealand.[2] After impressing for Samoa 'A' he was called up for 's November 2016 touring squad.[3] He made his international debut on 25 November 2016 against in a 25-23 win at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, France.[4] On 18 January 2017 he joined Rugby Lyons Piacenza in Italy's Super 10[5] On 15 June 2017 his signature was announced by Biarritz Olympique.[6] After a season in France his signature for Leicester was widely reported in the French media in July 2018,[7] which prompted Biarritz to release a statement claiming his agent was unregistered[8] which the agent denied, saying he was registered with the RFU allowing him to sign the player to an English club.[9]

His signing for the 2019-20 season was confirmed by Leicester Tigers on 6 May 2019.[10] Leatigaga played as a replacement in the 2022 Premiership Rugby final as Tigers beat Saracens 15-12.[11] On 19 April 2023 he signing was announced by New South Wales Waratahs as injury cover for Angus Bell.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nephi Leatigaga ESPN profile. ESPN scrum. 6 May 2019.
  2. Web site: September teams. Auckland Rugby Union. 6 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190506140844/http://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/newsarticle/39117. 6 May 2019. dead.
  3. Web site: Samoa confirm November touring squad. Americas Rugby News. 17 October 2016. 6 May 2019.
  4. Web site: Canada (6) 23 - 25 (16) Samoa (FT). 6 May 2019.
  5. Web site: Rugby - Lyons, arriva il pilone di origini samoane Nephi Leatigaga"Rugby - Lyons, arriva il pilone di origini samoane Nephi Leatigaga". Italian. 18 January 2017. 6 May 2019.
  6. Web site: Pro D2 : un champion du monde au Biarritz Olympique. France Bleu. 15 June 2017. 6 May 2019. French.
  7. Web site: Transferts - Biarritz : Nephi Leatigaga signe 2 ans à Leicester. 31 July 2018. 6 May 2019. French. RugbyRama.
  8. Web site: Pro D2 : Biarritz oppose un fervent démenti au départ de Nephi Leatigaga ! . French. 31 July 2018. 6 May 2018. Tribune Sports.
  9. Web site: Affaire Leatigaga : l'agent incriminé par le Biarritz Olympique se défend. Sud Ouest. French. 10 August 2018. 6 May 2019.
  10. Web site: Leicester Tigers: Tomas Lavanini, Nephi Leatigaga and Charlie Clare sign. BBC. 6 May 2019. 6 May 2019.
  11. News: Premiership final: Leicester Tigers 15-12 Saracens - Freddie Burns drop-goal clinches title. BBC Sport. 18 June 2022. 20 June 2022.
  12. News: Nephi Leatigaga: Leicester Tigers prop leaves to join NSW Waratahs. 19 April 2023. 19 April 2023. BBC Sport.