Henry Taefu

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Henry Taefu

| image = HENRY TAEFU (15587356745).jpg

| image_size = 175

| caption = Taefu during a match representing the Greater Sydney Rams, October 2014

| fullname = Leo Henry Taefu

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|04|02|df=y}}

| birth_place = Apia, Samoa

| height = {{convert|183|cm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|100|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}

| school = Stretton State College

| university =

| relatives =

| occupation =

| spouse =

| position = Centre

| currentclub = Red Hurricanes Osaka

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 2014

| clubs1 = Greater Sydney Rams

| apps1 = 6

| points1 = 15

| years2 = 2015–2017

| clubs2 = Brisbane City

| apps2 = 12

| points2 = 12

| years3 = 2016

| clubs3 = Reds

| apps3 = 4

| points3 = 11

| years4 = 2017–2018

| clubs4 = Colomiers

| apps4 = 20

| points4 = 20

| years5 = 2018–2021

| clubs5 = Force

| apps5 = 27

| points5 = 10

| years6 = 2021-2023

| clubs6 = North Harbour

| apps6 = 2

| points6 = 0

| years7 = 2022–2024

| clubs7 = Moana Pasifika

| apps7 = 8

| points7 = 0

| years8 = 2024–

| clubs8 = Red Hurricanes Osaka

| apps8 =

| points8 =

| repyears1 = 2013

| repteam1 = Australia U20

| repcaps1 = 2

| reppoints1 = 0

| repyears2 = 2017–

| repteam2 = Samoa

| repcaps2 = 12

| reppoints2 = 63

| clubupdate = 20 July 2022

| repupdate = 20 July 2022

| ru_sevensnationalyears1 =

| ru_sevensnationalteam1 =

| ru_sevensnationalcomp1 =

| ru_sevensupdate =

}}

Henry Taefu (born 2 April 1993) is a Samoan professional Rugby Union player. He currently plays for {{rut|North Harbour}} in the Bunnings NPC and Moana Pasifika in the Super Rugby Pacific,{{cite press release | url=https://moanapasifika.co.nz/moana-pasifika-community-celebrates-historic-first-super-rugby-squad/ | title=Moana Pasifika community celebrates historic first Super Rugby squad | website=Moana Pasifika | date=22 November 2021 | access-date=23 November 2021}} having previously played for the Western Force in Australia’s Super Rugby AU. His playing position is inside centre.{{cite web | url=http://www.redsrugby.com.au/Reds/RedsSquad/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=419 | title=Henry Taefu Queensland Reds Player Profile | publisher=Reds Rugby | access-date=17 August 2016}}{{cite web | url=http://www.redsrugby.com.au/nrc/nrcplayerprofile.aspx?pid=346 | title=Henry Taefu Brisbane City Player Profile | publisher=Reds Rugby | access-date=17 August 2016}}{{cite web | url=http://www.rugby.com.au/players/henry-taefu#5AF50CFC-5AF4-48DA-A45A-258656BB7551 | title=Henry Taefu Rugby Australia Player Profile | publisher=Rugby Australia | access-date=17 August 2016}}

Early / provincial career

Taefu was born in Apia, the capital city of Samoa, but moved to New Zealand with his family at age 9, then to Brisbane in Australia aged 12.{{cite web|url=http://www.samoaobserver.ws/en/01_06_2017/local/20612/Reds-star-returns-to-his-roots.htm|title=Reds star returns to his roots}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sobserver.ws/en/30_05_2017/local/20526/Boy-from-Falelatai-realises-blue-dream.htm|title=Boy from Falelatai realises blue dream}} He attended school at the famed Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane and upon graduation joined the Parramatta Eels, a rugby league club based in the suburbs of Sydney. However, in 2012 he moved back to Queensland and joined Queensland Premier Rugby side Sunnybank. He helped the Dragons reach the grand final of the competition in 2014 and was the team's 5th highest point scorer in 2015. His form at this level earned selection for the {{Rut|Greater Sydney Rams}} ahead of the inaugural National Rugby Championship in 2014. He was on the move again in 2015, heading back north to Brisbane to join {{Rut|Brisbane City}}.

Super Rugby career

Taefu’s performances over 2 seasons in the National Rugby Championship saw Super Rugby franchise, the Queensland Reds, come calling in 2016. He debuted in the derby match against the {{Rut|Waratahs}} on 27 February and went on to make 4 appearances during the season, netting 4 conversions and one penalty.{{cite web | url=http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_28827.html | title=Henry Taefu itsrugby Player Statistics | publisher=itsrugby | access-date=17 August 2016}} On 17 October 2021, it was announced that Henry signed with the new Super Rugby franchise, Moana Pasifika{{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/moana-pasifika-announce-signings-of-three-manu-samoa-internationals/|title=Moana Pasifika announce signings of three Manu Samoa internationals}}

International

Taefu was selected as a member of the Australia Under-20 squad which competed in the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship in France. He played 2 matches before succumbing to a shoulder injury which required surgery that in turn uncovered an undiagnosed adrenal gland tumour. He has played for the Manu Samoa since 2017 and played in their 2019 Rugby World Cup Squad. He scored all 19 points in the third pool game against Japan. In 2021, he started both 2023 World Cup Qualifiers against Tonga.

Super Rugby statistics

Season	Team	Games	Starts	Sub	Mins	Tries	Cons	Pens	Drops	Points	Yel	Red
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; line-height:90%; font-size:95%; width:60%;"
2016	{{Rut\|Reds}}	4	4	0	207	0	4	1	0	11	0	0
colspan="2"\|Total \|\| 4 \|\| 4 \|\| 0 \|\| 207 \|\| 0 \|\| 4 \|\| 1 \|\| 0 \|\| 11 \|\| 0 \|\| 0