Maʻafu Fia
Ma'afu Fia (born 22 November 1989) is a Tongan International rugby union prop who plays rugby for Ospreys in the Pro14. On 17 September 2016, he scored his first Ospreys try against Treviso in round 3. He made his debut for the Tonga Rugby Union on 17 November 2018, against Welsh Rugby Union. Ma'afu is a 2009 IRB Junior World Championship winner, with New Zealand Rugby Union. He was selected for his first Rugby World Cup in 2019.
| Birth name | Ma'afu Fia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 22 November 1989 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Tofoa, Tonga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 124 kg (19 st 7 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Palmerston North Boys' High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Early life
Fia was born in Tonga and moved to New Zealand in 2001. He went to school with Aaron Cruden, Andre Taylor and Kurt Baker.[1]
Playing career
Provincial Rugby
Fia had a stellar year in 2009 as he broke into the Manawatu provincial squad for the Air New Zealand Cup competition and helped New Zealand to the IRB World Under-20 title. As a result, he was named Manawatu's Outstanding Junior Sportsperson for 2009.[2]
In the 2010 ITM Cup, Fia established himself as a starter at prop for Manawatu, and scored his first provincial try. In the 2011 ITM Cup, he was a key part of a vastly improved Turbos squad, and his consistently strong performances earned him a Super Rugby contract for 2012.
Super Rugby
Fia signed with the Highlanders for the 2012 Super Rugby season.
Pro 12
On 5 October 2015, Fia signed a 3-year contract with the Ospreys.
References
- Hepburn, Steve (21 May 2014). "Slow start but Fia finding form now". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
- "Manawatu Turbos | 2011 ITM Cup" (Press release). Manawatu Turbos. Archived from the original on 15 February 2010. Retrieved 13 October 2011.