Kelepi Tanginoa

{{short description|Australian professional rugby league footballer}}

{{Infobox rugby league biography

|name = Kelepi Tanginoa

|fullname = Kelepi Tanginoa

|image = Kelepi Tanginoa Wentworthville.jpg

|imagesize = 290

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1994|03|01}}

|birth_place = Auburn, New South Wales, Australia

|height = {{convert|1.81|m|ftin|abbr=on|order=flip}}

|weight = {{convert|101|kg|stlb|abbr=on|order=flip}}

|position = {{rlp|PR|SR|LF}}

|club1 = Parramatta Eels

|year1start = 2013

|year1end = 14

|appearances1 = 13

|tries1 = 0

|goals1 = 0

|fieldgoals1 = 0

|points1 = 0

|club2 = {{nowrap|North Qld Cowboys}}

|year2start = 2015

|year2end =

|appearances2 = 3

|tries2 = 0

|goals2 = 0

|fieldgoals2 = 0

|points2 = 0

| club3 = {{nowrap|Manly Sea Eagles}}

| year3start = 2017

| year3end = 19

| appearances3 = 16

| tries3 = 0

| goals3 = 0

| fieldgoals3 = 0

| points3 = 0

| club4 = Wakefield Trinity

| year4start = 2019

| year4end = 23

| appearances4 = 88

| tries4 = 21

| goals4 = 0

| fieldgoals4 = 0

| points4 = 72

| club5 = Hull Kingston Rovers

| year5start = 2024

| year5end = present

| appearances5 = 49

| tries5 = 15

| goals5 = 0

| fieldgoals5 = 0

| points5 = 24

| teamA = {{nowrap|Combined Nations All Stars}}

| yearAstart = 2021

| yearAend = 22

| appearancesA = 2

| triesA = 0

| goalsA = 0

| fieldgoalsA = 0

| pointsA = 0

| source = [https://www.loverugbyleague.com/stats/players/kelepi-tanginoa/ loverugbyleague]{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/kelepi-tanginoa/summary.html|title=Kelepi Tanginoa – Career Stats & Summary|publisher=Rugby League Project|access-date=2016-08-10}}

| updated = 19 June 2025

}}

Kelepi Tanginoa ({{IPAc-en|k|ə|l|ɛ|p|i|_|t|æ|ŋ|g|ə|n|oʊ|ə}}) (born 1 March 1994) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|pr|sr}} forward and {{rlp|lf}} for Hull KR in the Super League.

He previously played for Wakefield Trinity in the Super League and the Parramatta Eels, North Queensland Cowboys and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the NRL.

Background

Tanginoa was born in Auburn, New South Wales, Australia.

He played his junior football for the Canley Heights Dragons, CVD Edensor Park Cobras and Cabramatta Two Blues before being signed by the Parramatta Eels, playing for their Harold Matthews Cup, SG Ball Cup and NYC teams. He attended Westfields Sport High School where he represented the Australian Schoolboys in 2012. In 2010, Tanginoa represented the New South Wales under-16s side and in 2012 represented the New South Wales under-18s.

Playing career

=2013=

In round 2 of the 2013 NRL season, Tanginoa made his NRL debut for the Eels against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. In April, Tanginoa played for the New South Wales Under 20s team. He played 9 games for Parramatta in his rookie year before succumbing to a fractured hand and then a stress fracture in his right foot. Parramatta would finish the 2013 NRL season in last place on the table for the second consecutive year.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/parramatta-eels-work-to-erase-bitter-memories-of-2013s-wooden-spoon-season/news-story/53c0bcf5d4870490a3ab9c448bfae244/|title=Parramatta Eels work to erase bitter memories of 2013's wooden spoon season|website=The Daily Telegraph|location=Sydney|date=7 December 2013}}

In July 2013, Tanginoa re-signed with the Parramatta club on a two-year contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.parraeels.com.au/news-display/Recruitment-and-Retention-Update/78792|access-date=23 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203060457/http://www.parraeels.com.au/news-display/Recruitment-and-Retention-Update/78792|archive-date=3 December 2013|title=Recruitment & Retention}}

File:Kelepi Tanginoa.jpg]]

=2014=

On 29 August 2014, Tanginoa was released from his Parramatta contract, signing a two-year contract with North Queensland, starting in 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2014/08/29/tanginoa_to_join_the_toyota_cowboys.html|title=Tanginoa to join the|publisher=Cowboys|date=2014-08-29|access-date=2015-10-22}}{{cite web|url=http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/north-queensland-cowboys-hoping-theyve-found-a-ready-replacement-for-departing-tariq-sims-after-signing-kelepi-tanginoa/story-fnjfzr2z-1227040897942|title=North Queensland Cowboys hoping they've found a ready replacement for departing Tariq Sims after signing Kelepi Tanginoa.|publisher=Townsville Bulletin|date=2014-08-29|access-date=2015-10-22}}

=2015=

In round 2 of the 2015 NRL season, Tanginoa made his debut for North Queensland, coming off the bench in the side's 14–16 loss to the Newcastle Knights.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

On 27 September 2015, Tanginoa played in the Townsville Blackhawks' Intrust Super Cup Grand Final loss to the Ipswich Jets. Tanginoa was a member of the Cowboys' 2015 Premiership winning squad, though he did not take part in the Grand Final.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

=2016=

On 21 October 2015, Tanginoa signed a one-year contract to return to the Parramatta Eels, after being released from the final year of his Cowboys contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/eels-sign-trio-for-2016-19424/#CPy4yPUiuj2fXiV1.97|title=Eels sign trio for 2016 | NRL|publisher=Zero Tackle|access-date=2015-10-22|archive-date=21 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021130457/http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/eels-sign-trio-for-2016-19424/#CPy4yPUiuj2fXiV1.97|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/nrl/jahrome-hughes-signs-with-north-queensland-cowboys/story-fnjfzr6n-1227563737117|title=Blackhawks fullback Jahrome Hughes earns Cowboys contract|publisher=Townsville Bulletin|date=2015-10-09|access-date=2015-10-22}} He would spend the season playing for the Wentworthville Magpies in the NSW Cup.

=2017=

Tanginoa spent the first half of 2017 with Wentworthville before Parramatta released him from his contract. He then signed to play for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.[http://www.seaeagles.com.au/news/2017/07/04/kelepi_begins_life_a.af_news.html Kelepi begins life at Manly]

=2018=

Tanginoa made 12 appearances for Manly in 2018 as the club avoided the wooden spoon by just 2 competition points.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/sea-eagles/manly-warringah-sea-eagles-season-2018-review-they-didnt-know-how-to-manage-the-players-who-walk-to-a-different-beat/news-story/bd8258649f78874f2c12b0340bba228c/|title=Manly Warringah Sea Eagles season 2018 review: They didn't know how to manage the players who 'walk to a different beat'|work=Fox Sports|location=Australia|date=5 September 2018}}

=2019=

Tanginoa joined Super League side Wakefield Trinity for the Super League XXIV season. He played 14 games for the club as they finished 9th on the table.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/48349461/|title=Kelepi Tanginoa joins Wakefield Trinity on deal until end of 2021|publisher=BBC Sport}}

=2020=

Tanginoa at the end of the 2020 season, signed a new contract that would keep him at Wakefield Trinity until the end of the 2024 season.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

=2021=

On 25 June 2021 he played for the Combined Nations All Stars in their 26–24 victory over England, staged at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington, as part of England's 2021 Rugby League World Cup preparation.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

=2022 & 2023=

Tanginoa played 22 games for Wakefield Trinity in the 2022 Super League season which saw the side finish 10th. He was limited to only seven matches with Wakefield Trinity in the Super League XXVIII season as the club finished bottom of the table and were relegated to the RFL Championship which ended their 24-year stay in the top flight. After leaving Wakefield Trinity, he moved across the M62 to the city of Hull to join up with former team mates Corey Hall, James Batchelor, Yusuf Aydin, Jai Whitbread and George King ahead of the 2024 Super League season.{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/20876/12962152/super-league-wakefield-trinity-relegated-after-loss-at-leigh-leopards-st-helens-and-wigan-warriors-win/|title=Super League: Wakefield Trinity relegated after loss at Leigh Leopards, St Helens and Wigan Warriors win|website=www.skysports.com}}

=2024=

Tanginoa made his club debut for Hull Kingston Rovers against arch-rivals Hull F.C. in round 1 of the 2024 Super League season. Tanginoa scored a try on debut as Hull Kingston Rovers won the derby 22-0.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/68304214/|title=Hull FC 0-22 Hull KR - Rovers win season opener as hosts have two sent off|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}

On 12 October 2024, Tanginoa played in Hull Kingston Rovers 2024 Super League Grand Final loss against Wigan.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2024/oct/12/wigan-v-hull-kr-super-league-grand-final-2024-live-score-updates?page=with:block-670aaacb8f087ed1d5a8a350/|title=Wigan v Hull KR: Super League Grand Final 2024 – as it happened|website=www.theguardian.com}}

=2025=

On 7 June, he played in Hull Kingston Rovers 8-6 Challenge Cup final victory over Warrington. It was the clubs first major trophy in 40 years.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0gnqllpxlo/|title=In pictures: Hull KR Challenge Cup victory parade|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}

Statistics

=NRL=

: Statistics are correct to the end of the 2024 season{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/kelepi-tanginoa/summary.html|title=Kelepi Tanginoa – Career Stats & Summary|publisher=Rugby League Project|date=1994-03-01|access-date=2015-10-22}}

class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:85%;"
width=2%\|Season !width=8%\|Team !width=2%\|Matches !width=2%\|T !width=2%\|G !width=2%\|GK % !width=2%\|F/G !width=2%\|Pts
scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"\| 2013 \| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" \|{{Leagueicon\|Parramatta\|16}} Parramatta Eels \| 9 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| — \|\| 0 \|\| 0
style="background:#eaeaea;" ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"\| 2014 \| 4	0	0	—	0	0
scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"\| 2015 \|style="text-align:center;"\|{{Leagueicon\|North Queensland\|16}} North Queensland Cowboys \| 3 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| — \|\| 0 \|\| 0
scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"\| 2017 \| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" \|{{Leagueicon\|Manly\|16}} Manly Warringah Sea Eagles \| 1 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| — \|\| 0 \|\| 0
style="background:#eaeaea;" ! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"\| 2018 \| 12	0	0	—	0	0
scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"\| 2019 \| 3 \|\| 0 \|\| 0 \|\| — \|\| 0 \|\| 0
2019 \| rowspan="5" \|{{center\|{{leagueicon\|wakefield\|16}}}}Wakefield Trinity \|15 \|1 \| \| \| \|4
2020 \|21 \|6 \| \| \| \|24
2021 \|22 \|6 \| \| \| \|24
2022 \|23 \|5 \| \| \| \|20
2023 \|7 \|3 \| \| \| \|12
2024 \|{{leagueicon\|Hull KR\|16}} Hull Kingston Rovers \|30 \|10 \| \| \| \|40
class="sortbottom" ! colspan="2" \| Career totals ! 150 ! 31 ! 0 ! — ! 0 ! 96

class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:85%;"

width=2%|Season

!width=8%|Team

!width=2%|Matches

!width=2%|T

!width=2%|G

!width=2%|GK %

!width=2%|F/G

!width=2%|Pts

scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2013

| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |{{Leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} Parramatta Eels

| 9 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0

style="background:#eaeaea;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2014

| 4

—

scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2015

|style="text-align:center;"|{{Leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} North Queensland Cowboys

| 3 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0

scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2017

| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" |{{Leagueicon|Manly|16}} Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

| 1 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0

style="background:#eaeaea;"

! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2018

| 12

—

scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2019

| 3 || 0 || 0 || — || 0 || 0

2019

| rowspan="5" |{{center|{{leagueicon|wakefield|16}}}}Wakefield Trinity

|15

2020

|21

|24

2021

|22

|24

2022

|23

|20

2023

|12

2024

|{{leagueicon|Hull KR|16}} Hull Kingston Rovers

|30

|10

|40

class="sortbottom"

! colspan="2" | Career totals

! 150

! 31

! 0

! —

! 0

! 96

References

External links

[https://wakefieldtrinity.com/team/kelepi-tanginoa/ Wakefield Trinity profile]
[https://www.superleague.co.uk/player/921/kelepi-tanginoa SL profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20190323081207/https://www.seaeagles.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/manly-warringah-sea-eagles/kelepi-tanginoa/ Manly Sea Eagles profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20160913191339/http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/playerstats/playerprofile/tabid/10898/clubid/9/playerid/5330/seasonid/44/default.aspx NRL profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20170610122116/http://www.parraeels.com.au/team/profiles/kelepi_tanginoa.html Parramatta Eels profile]
[https://hullkr.co.uk/team/first-team/kelepi-tanginoa Hull KR profile]

Category:1994 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen

Category:Australian expatriate rugby league players in England

Category:Australian rugby league players

Category:Australian sportspeople of Tongan descent

Category:Cabramatta Two Blues players

Category:Combined Nationalities rugby league team players

Category:Hull Kingston Rovers players

Category:Junior Kangaroos players

Category:Manly Warringah Sea Eagles players

Category:North Queensland Cowboys players