Maʻafu Fia
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=February 2013}}
{{Infobox rugby biography | name = Ma'afu Fia
| image =
| birth_name = Ma'afu Fia
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1989|11|22}}
| birth_place = Tofoa, Tonga
| height = {{convert|1.78|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|124|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
| school = Palmerston North Boys' High School
| ru_position = Tighthead Prop
| years1 = 2015–2022
| clubs1 = Ospreys
| points1 =30
| years2 = 2022
| clubs2 = → Bath Rugby
| apps2 = 6
| points2 = 0
| apps1 =102
| super1 = Highlanders
| superyears1= 2012–15
| ru_currentclub=
| ru_province1 = Manawatu
| ru_provinceyears1 = 2009–15
| nickname =
| ru_clubupdate = 31 May 2022
| ru_provinceapps1 = 61
| ru_provincepoints1= 10
| ru_provinceupdate =
| superapps1= 39
| superpoints1= 0
| super14update =
| repyears1 = 2018-
| repteam1 = Tonga
| repcaps1 = 11
| reppoints1 = 0
}}
Ma'afu Fia (born 22 November 1989) is a Tongan International rugby union prop who most recently played rugby for Ospreys in the URC, having previously represented the Highlanders in Super Rugby.
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.{{cite web | first=Steve | last=Hepburn | url= http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/303035/rugby-slow-start-fia-finding-form-now | title=Slow start but Fia finding form now | work=Otago Daily Times |date=21 May 2014 |accessdate=21 May 2014}}
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.{{cite press release|url=http://www.manawaturugby.co.nz/article/1847.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215032308/http://www.manawaturugby.co.nz/article/1847.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 February 2010|title=Manawatu Turbos | 2011 ITM Cup|publisher=Manawatu Turbos|accessdate=13 October 2011}}
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.
=Super Rugby=
Fia signed with the Highlanders for the 2012 Super Rugby season. He spent 4 seasons with the Highlanders and was a member of their 2015 Super Rugby championship squad, although he was sidelined for most of the season through a knee injury.{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/rugby-union/10121621/Highlanders-Fia-in-slim-trim |title=Highlanders' Fia in slim trim |author=Peter Lampp |publisher=Stuff |date=5 June 2014 |access-date=18 January 2022}}
=Pro 14=
On 5 October 2015, Fia signed a 3-year contract with the Ospreys.{{cite web |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/72555563/manawatu-prop-maafu-fia-destined-for-welsh-club-ospreys |title=Manawatu prop Ma'afu Fia destined for Welsh club Ospreys |author=Peter Lampp |publisher=Stuff |date=30 September 2015 |access-date=18 January 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/34443037 |title=Ospreys sign prop Ma'afu Fia from Highlanders |publisher=BBC |date=5 October 2015 |access-date=18 January 2022}} On 17 September 2016, he scored his first Ospreys try against Treviso in round 3.
=International=
Fia was born in Tonga but moved to New Zealand in 2001 at the age of 11, and represented New Zealand at youth levels. He is a 2009 IRB Junior World Championship winner, with New Zealand.
He made his debut for the Tonga Rugby Union on 17 November 2018, against Wales. He was selected for his first Rugby World Cup in 2019.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090409112705/http://www.manawaturugby.co.nz/article/1281.html Manawatu Profile]
{{Tonga Squad 2019 Rugby World Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fia, Maafu}}
Category:Tongan rugby union players
Category:Highlanders (rugby union) players
Category:Manawatu rugby union players
Category:Tongan emigrants to New Zealand
Category:People educated at Palmerston North Boys' High School
Category:Ospreys (rugby union) players
Category:Rugby union players from Tongatapu
Category:Tonga international rugby union players
Category:2019 Rugby World Cup players
Category:Tongan expatriate rugby union players in England
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