Nephi Leatigaga
{{short description|Samoan rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2019}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Nephi Leatigaga
| image =
| birth_name = Nephi Tupou Leatigaga
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|12|5|df=y}}
| birth_place = Salelologa, Siumu, Samoa
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height = 6ft 4in
| weight = {{convert|149.1|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}
| school =
| spouse =
| relatives =
| position = Loosehead Prop, Tighthead Prop
| currentclub = New South Wales Waratahs
| years1 = 2016–2017
| clubs1 = Piacenza
| apps1 = 9
| points1 = 13
| years2 = 2017–2019
| clubs2 = Biarritz Olympique
| apps2 = 29
| points2 = 20
| years3 = 2019–2023
| clubs3 = Leicester Tigers
| apps3 = 77
| points3 = 5
| years4 = 2023
| clubs4 = New South Wales Waratahs
| apps4 = 8
| points4 = 5
| repyears1 = 2016–
| repteam1 = {{nrut|Samoa}}
| repcaps1 = 6
| reppoints1 = 0
| clubupdate = 19 April 2023
| repupdate = 6 May 2019
}}
Nephi Tupou Leatigaga (born 5 December 1993){{cite web|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/player/294275.html|publisher=ESPN scrum|accessdate=6 May 2019|title=Nephi Leatigaga ESPN profile}} is a Samoan rugby union prop for New South Wales Waratahs in Super Rugby. He has previously played for Leicester Tigers in England's Premiership Rugby, Biarritz Olympique in France's Pro D2 and for Piacenza in Italy. He has played six internationals for {{nrut|Samoa}} in 2016 between 2022.
Career
Leatigaga was born in Samoa; he first played for Mt Wellington RFC and Auckland Rugby Union in New Zealand.{{cite web|url=http://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/newsarticle/39117|publisher=Auckland Rugby Union|title=September teams|access-date=6 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506140844/http://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/newsarticle/39117|archive-date=6 May 2019|url-status=dead}} After impressing for Samoa 'A' he was called up for {{nrut|Samoa}}'s November 2016 touring squad.{{cite web|url=http://www.americasrugbynews.com/2016/10/17/samoa-confirm-november-touring-squad/|publisher=Americas Rugby News|date=17 October 2016|accessdate=6 May 2019|title=Samoa confirm November touring squad}} He made his international debut on 25 November 2016 against {{nrut|Canada}} in a 25-23 win at the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, France.{{cite web|url=http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/match/294005.html|accessdate=6 May 2019|title=Canada (6) 23 - 25 (16) Samoa (FT)}} On 18 January 2017 he joined Rugby Lyons Piacenza in Italy's Super 10{{cite web|url=http://www.sportpiacenza.it/rugby/rugby-lyons-arriva-il-pilone-di-origini-samoane-nephi-leatigaga.html| language=Italian| title=Rugby - Lyons, arriva il pilone di origini samoane Nephi Leatigaga"Rugby - Lyons, arriva il pilone di origini samoane Nephi Leatigaga"|date=18 January 2017|accessdate= 6 May 2019}} On 15 June 2017 his signature was announced by Biarritz Olympique.{{cite web|url=https://www.francebleu.fr/sports/rugby/pro-d2-un-champion-du-monde-au-biarritz-olympique-1497524723|publisher=France Bleu|date=15 June 2017|accessdate=6 May 2019|title=Pro D2 : un champion du monde au Biarritz Olympique|language=French}} After a season in France his signature for Leicester was widely reported in the French media in July 2018,{{cite web|url=https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/transferts/2018-2019/transferts-biarritz-nephi-leatigaga-signe-2-ans-a-leicester_sto6869099/story.shtml| date= 31 July 2018| accessdate=6 May 2019| title= Transferts - Biarritz : Nephi Leatigaga signe 2 ans à Leicester| language= French| publisher=RugbyRama}} which prompted Biarritz to release a statement claiming his agent was unregistered{{cite web|url=http://tribunesports.net/pro-d2-biarritz-oppose-un-fervent-dementi-au-depart-de-nephi-leatigaga/|language=French|date=31 July 2018|accessdate=6 May 2018| title=Pro D2 : Biarritz oppose un fervent démenti au départ de Nephi Leatigaga ! |publisher=Tribune Sports}} which the agent denied, saying he was registered with the RFU allowing him to sign the player to an English club.{{cite web|url=https://www.sudouest.fr/2018/08/10/affaire-leatigaga-l-agent-incrimine-par-le-biarritz-olympique-se-defend-5299813-4037.php|publisher=Sud Ouest|language=French|date=10 August 2018|accessdate=6 May 2019|title=Affaire Leatigaga : l'agent incriminé par le Biarritz Olympique se défend}}
His signing for the 2019-20 season was confirmed by Leicester Tigers on 6 May 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/48176507|publisher=BBC|date=6 May 2019|accessdate=6 May 2019|title=Leicester Tigers: Tomas Lavanini, Nephi Leatigaga and Charlie Clare sign}} Leatigaga played as a replacement in the 2022 Premiership Rugby final as Tigers beat Saracens 15-12.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61829701|title=Premiership final: Leicester Tigers 15-12 Saracens - Freddie Burns drop-goal clinches title|website=BBC Sport|date=18 June 2022|accessdate=20 June 2022}} On 19 April 2023 he signing was announced by New South Wales Waratahs as injury cover for Angus Bell.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65321523|title=Nephi Leatigaga: Leicester Tigers prop leaves to join NSW Waratahs|date=19 April 2023|access-date=19 April 2023|work=BBC Sport}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leatigaga, Nephi}}
Category:Samoan rugby union players
Category:Biarritz Olympique players
Category:Leicester Tigers players
Category:Samoa international rugby union players
Category:Rugby Lyons Piacenza players
Category:New South Wales Waratahs players
Category:Samoan expatriate rugby union players in France
Category:Expatriate rugby union players in Italy
Category:Samoan expatriate rugby union players in England
{{Samoa-rugbyunion-bio-stub}}