Lisiate Tafa

Lisiate Tafa (born 10 October 1979 in Ha'apai, Tonga) is an inside/outside center and utility who plays rugby union football for English club Sedgley Park in the National One Division and Tonga. He has played for Sedgley Park[1] in 2008-9, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011-12. He is well known for his speed, tactical play and ability to break tackles.

Lisiate Tafa
Birth nameLisiate Tafa
Date of birth (1979-10-10) 10 October 1979
Place of birthPangai, Tonga
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight15 st 2 lb (96 kg)
SchoolTaufa'ahau Pilolevu College
Rugby union career
Position(s) outside centre
Current team Bradford & Bingley
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-12
2013-		 Lavengamalie
Bradford & Bingley
Derby
Hertford
Bradford & Bingley
Sedgley Park
Bradford & Bingley
28


25
54
(70)


(60)
(25)
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2003, 2007  Tonga 3 (0)

Tafa originally made a name for himself with Bradford and Bingley RFC, when he made his début in the English game in the 2004–5 season. At that time Bradford and Bingley were in National 3 North. At the end of the season, Tafa moved to Derby RFC for 2005-6, and to Hertford RFC for the 2006-7 season.[2]

He returned to Tonga in February 2007 to play at International level[3] for Tautahi Gold, and Tonga's national team, Ikale Tahi, in the 2007 Pacific Cup[4]

When Tafa returned to Bradford and Bingley's Wagon Lane for the 2007-8 season, his reasons were simple. "I married a local girl, Melissa," said the 27-year-old.[5] The couple met in his first year at Bradford and Bingley in 2004.

Tafa recently played for the Australia XV team alongside fellow Tongan, George Smith, in the Southern Hemisphere Charity Fundraiser[6] against the Pacific Barbarians, held on 6 March 2011.

As of 2015 he has 3 caps for Tonga as well as 15 caps for Tonga 'A'.

References
  1. Sedgley Park, Sedgley Park R.U.F.C.
  2. "Lisiate Tafa - Record by competition". Rugby Statbunker. 21 September 2015.
  3. Tonga national rugby union team
  4. Tonga National Team, List of Tonga national rugby union players
  5. Telegraph and Argus, September 2007, http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/1659156.Heartening_start_to_Spence_Hassan_era/
  6. Epsom Guardian, March 2011, http://www.epsomguardian.co.uk/sport/8893002.Rugby_greats_turn_out_in_force_for_Southern_Hemisphere_Charity_Day_at_London_Welsh/
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