Daniel Rona
{{short description|New Zealand rugby union player}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=September 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Daniel Rona
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|4|10|df=y}}
| birth_place = New Zealand
| height = {{convert|187|cm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|94|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}
| school =
| university =
| relatives = Curtis Rona (brother)
| occupation =
| spouse =
| position = Centre
| currentclub = {{Rut|Chiefs}} / {{Rut|Taranaki}}
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| years1 = 2020–
| clubs1 = {{Rut|Taranaki}}
| apps1 = 35
| points1 = 50
| years2 = 2023–
| clubs2 = {{Rut|Chiefs}}
| apps2 = 39
| points2 = 80
| repyears1 =
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| repcaps1 =
| reppoints1 =
| clubupdate = 16 June 2024
| repupdate =
| ru_sevensnationalyears1 =
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}}
Daniel Rona (born 10 April 2000) is a New Zealand rugby union player, currently playing for the {{Rut|Chiefs}} and {{Rut|Taranaki}}. His preferred position is centre.{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimaterugby.com/daniel-rona|title=Daniel Rona|work=Ultimate Rugby|access-date=29 May 2023}}
Early career
A concreter by trade, Rona originally started out as a halfback for Clifton Rugby Club, before moving to centre.{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/131783599/super-rugby-pacific-concreter-daniel-rona-hoping-to-cement-his-spot-at-chiefs|title=Super Rugby Pacific: Concreter Daniel Rona hoping to cement his spot at Chiefs|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=20 April 2023|access-date=29 May 2023}}
Professional career
Rona was named in the {{Rut|Taranaki}} squad for the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup, 2021 Bunnings NPC and 2022 Bunnings NPC.{{cite news | url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/129278924/settled-taranaki-squad-named-for-npc | title=Settled Taranaki squad named for NPC | work=Stuff.co.nz | date=15 July 2022 | access-date=15 July 2022}} He joined the {{Rut|Chiefs}} in the pre-season of 2023,{{cite press release | url=https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/pre-season-underway-with-wider-training-squad | title=Pre-season underway with wider training squad | publisher=Chiefs | date=8 December 2022 | access-date=8 December 2022}} before signing a 30-day training contract with the side in March 2023.{{cite news|url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/daniel-rona-lays-foundations-with-the-chiefs/|title=Daniel Rona lays foundations with the Chiefs|work=All Blacks|date=24 May 2023|access-date=29 May 2023}} He made his debut for the {{Rut|Chiefs}} in Round 3 of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season against the {{Rut|Highlanders}}.{{cite press release | url=https://www.chiefs.co.nz/news-item/gallagher-chiefs-motivated-for-first-game-at-home | title=Gallagher Chiefs motivated for first game at home | publisher=Chiefs | date=8 March 2023 | access-date=8 March 2023}} He signed a full-time deal with the Chiefs in May 2023 through to 2026.{{cite news|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/300886414/super-rugby-pacific-breakout-chiefs-star-daniel-rona-earns-fulltime-contract|title=Super Rugby Pacific: Breakout Chiefs star Daniel Rona earns fulltime contract|work=Stuff.co.nz|date=23 May 2023|access-date=29 May 2023}}
Personal life
Rona is a New Zealander of Māori descent (Te Ātiawa descent).{{cite web|url=https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2024/06/25/revealed-28-strong-maori-all-blacks-squad-named-for-japan-tour/|title=Revealed: 28-strong Māori All Blacks squad named for Japan tour|website=Te Ao Māori News|date=2024-06-24|access-date=2024-09-08}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.itsrugby.co.uk/players/daniel-rona-48250.html itsrugby.co.uk Profile]
{{Chiefs squad}}
{{Taranaki NPC squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rona, Daniel}}
Category:New Zealand rugby union players
Category:Taranaki rugby union players
Category:Chiefs (Super Rugby) players
Category:21st-century New Zealand sportsmen
{{NZ-rugbyunion-bio-stub}}