Tima Fainga'anuku Explained

Tima Fainga'anuku
Fullname:Lotima Taufo'ou Fainga'anuku
Birth Date:1997 4, df=yes
Birth Place:Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Height:1.88m (06.17feet)
Weight:1030NaN0
School:Nelson College
Relatives:Leicester Fainga'anuku (brother)
Position:Wing, Centre
Years1:2016–2020
Apps1:42
Points1:40
Years2:2018–2019
Clubs2:Perpignan
Apps2:14
Points2:15
Years3:2021–2023
Apps3:24
Points3:30
Years4:2024–
Apps4:0
Points4:0
Superyears1:2018
Superyears2:2020
Superyears3:2022–2023
Super3:Moana Pasifika
Superapps1:2
Superapps2:2
Superapps3:15
Superpoints1:0
Superpoints2:0
Superpoints3:20
Super14update:4 June 2023
Repyears1:2017
Repteam1:New Zealand U20
Repcaps1:7
Reppoints1:15
Repyears2:2022–
Repteam2:Tonga
Repcaps2:6
Reppoints2:5
Clubupdate:16 September 2023
Repupdate:4 June 2023
Repsevensyears1:2018
Repsevensteam1:New Zealand
Repsevenscomp1:1
Ru Sevensupdate:25 June 2021

Lotima Taufo'ou Fainga'anuku (born 26 April 1997) is a Tongan-born New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays for in the Bunnings NPC. He usually plays on the wing or Centre.

Early career

Fainga'anuku was educated at Nelson College from 2011 to 2015. He was a part of the New Zealand Under 20s winning team over England Under 20s 64–17 in the 2017 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.[1]

Senior career

Fainga'anuku started his senior career at in 2016.He made his Super Rugby debut for the in their 34–20 win over the Chiefs in Round 16, 2018.[2] [3] Tima was named in the 2020 squad after Connor Garden-Bachop had to withdraw because of injury. He was part of the Mako side that won the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup. In June 2021, it was announced that Fainga'anuku would be switching his international eligibility to Tonga using the Olympic loophole, representing Tonga Sevens at the 2020 Men's Rugby Sevens Final Olympic Qualification Tournament, however due to quarantining issues relating to the COVID-19 pandemic he was unable to play, meaning he is still captured by New Zealand.[4] Fainga'anuku made the move to on a 2 year deal.[5] In May 2022 was named in the Tonga national squad.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Baby Blacks winger Tima Faingaanuku takes on the world - and wins . stuff.co.nz . 23 June 2017.
  2. Web site: Live Super Rugby updates= Chiefs vs Crusaders . NZ Herald . 2 June 2018.
  3. Web site: Crusaders too strong for Chiefs . Otago Daily Times . 2 June 2018.
  4. News: Rugby: Former All Blacks midfielder Malakai Fekitoa set to represent Tonga. NZ Herald. 11 June 2021. 25 June 2021.
  5. News: Strike weapon Fainga'anuku locked in for Turbos. Manawatu Turbos. 23 June 2021. 26 June 2021.