Andrew Suniula

{{Short description|US international rugby union & league player/current coach}}

{{Infobox rugby union biography

| name = Andrew Suniula

| image = Andrew Suniula (21 September 2008) 2.jpg

| image_size=

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1982|05|01}}

| birth_place = American Samoa

| height = {{convert|1.86|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|102|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}

| occupation =

| school =

| university =

| relatives = Roland Suniula (brother), Shalom Suniula (brother)

| position = Centre, Wing

| currentclub = Austin Elite

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 2005–2006 | clubs1 = {{Rut|Taranaki}}

| apps1 = 11 | points1 = 5

| years2 = 2011–2012 | clubs2 = Cornish Pirates

| apps2 = 15 | points2 = 15

| years3 = 2013–2014 | clubs3 = {{Rut|Wasps}}

| apps3 = 5 | points3 = 0

| years4 = 2015 | clubs4 = București

| apps4 = 6 | points4 = 5

| years5 = 2016 | clubs5 = San Diego Breakers

| apps5 = 9 | points5 = 5

| years6 = 2018–2019 | clubs6 = Austin Elite

| apps6 = 15 | points6 = 14

| repyears1 = 2008–2016 | repteam1 = United States

| repcaps1 = 39 | reppoints1 = 35

| clubupdate = 27 November 2020

| repupdate = 30 December 2017

| module = {{infobox rugby league biography | embed = yes

| position = {{rlp|SR|WG|CE}}

| year1start = 2007

| club1 = Auckland Lions

| appearances1 = | points1 =

| year2start = 2007 | year2end = 2009

| club2 = Manly Sea Eagles

| appearances2 = 4 | points2 = 12

}}

Andrew Suniula (born 1 May 1982){{Cite web|url=http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/suniula-powers-his-way-into-top-squad/|title=Manly daily | Manly Daily | Daily Telegraph}} is a former rugby football player who played rugby union as a centre for the United States national team (USA Eagles XV's). He last played for the Austin Gilgronis and is now their Rugby Operations Director and a member of the coaching staff.{{cite web |title=USA Rugby International Athlete Council, Board Members Elected |url=https://www.goffrugbyreport.com/news/usa-rugby-international-athlete-council-board-members-elected |website=goffonrugby |date=13 July 2020 |access-date=27 November 2020}}

Early career

Suniula began playing professional rugby union with Taranaki during the 2005–06 season, playing in eight times for the club.{{cn|date=July 2025}}

Rugby league

Suniula switched to play rugby league for the Auckland Lions in the 2007 Bartercard Cup, scoring a try in the Grand Final. There he was spotted by Noel Cleal and signed by Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. Suniula played for Manly in the NRL. Suniula played {{rlp|wg|ce}} and {{rlp|sr}} in rugby league.{{cite web|url=http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/league/48178/league-suniula-thanks-039crusher039-sea-eagles-break|title=League: Suniula thanks 'Crusher' for Sea Eagles break|date=19 March 2009|work=Otago Daily Times|access-date=16 September 2011}}

Rugby union

File:Andrew Suniula Churchill Cup 2010 vs Russia.jpg

After four years in rugby league, Suniula returned to union with the Chicago Griffins in 2010. The following season he joined RFU Championship side Cornish Pirates, appearing 16 times for the club during the 2011–12 season. Suniula returned to Chicago Griffins the following season before joining his first top flight professional rugby union side when he signed for the London Wasps for the 2013–14 season.{{cite web|title=Andrew Suniula Not Returning To Wasps|url=http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2014/07/andrew-suniula-not-returning-to-wasps.html#comment-form|website=tiar|access-date=9 July 2014}} He made five appearances for the club during his brief one-year stint. Suniula joined CSM București for the 2015 Romanian Rugby Championship season.{{cite web|title=Andrew Suniula Joins CSM Bucuresti|url=http://www.thisisamericanrugby.com/2015/03/andrew-suniula-joins-csm-bucuresti.html|website=TIAR|access-date=4 March 2015}}

In 2018, Suniola signed for Austin Elite and quickly became team captain, but by 2019 he was semi-retired and was succeeded as captain by Ben Mitchell.[http://www.americasrugbynews.com/2019/08/20/ben-mitchell-leaves-austin-for-san-diego/ Ben Mitchell leaves Austin for San Diego], americasrugbynews.com, August 19, 2019, accessed November 9, 2020

International career

Suniula represented the United States in rugby union from 2008 to 2016 and played 39 tests including four matches in the 2011 and 2015 World Cups.{{cite web|url=http://usa-rugby-news.com/wordpress/?cat%3D20 |title=USA Eagles |access-date=22 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307185725/http://usa-rugby-news.com/wordpress/?cat=20 |archive-date=7 March 2009 }}{{cite web |title=Andrew Suniula |url=http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player-international-4568.html |website=itsrugby}}

Personal life

His brothers, Roland and Shalom, have also represented the United States in rugby union.[http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/western-leader/6389820/Kiwi-gets-contract-with-US-sevens Kiwi gets contract with US sevens] The Western Leader, 9 February 2012 Suniula has been tattooed by internationally renowned artist Steve Ma Ching, who also tattooed rugby players DJ Forbes and Sonny Bill Williams.{{cite news|title=Sonny Bill's West Auckland 'tattoo brother' ready to face All Blacks|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-news/sonny-bill-s-west-auckland-tattoo-brother-ready-face-all-blacks-6119424|access-date=30 October 2014|work=ONE News}}