Samuela Vunivalu
{{Short description|Fijian rugby union footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Samu Vunivalu
| birth_name = Samuela Bainikalou Vunivalu
| occupation = Government backbencher, Member of the Parliament of Fiji
| nickname =
| birth_date = c. {{birth year and age|1957}}
| birth_place = Yavuna, Nadi, Fiji[http://www.parliament.gov.fj/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/FRIDAY-17TH-OCTOBER-2014.pdf FRIDAY 17TH OCTOBER 2014]
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}
| ru_position = Flanker
| repteam1 = {{nrut|Fiji}}
| repcaps1 = 3
| reppoints1 = 0
| repyears1 = 1987
| years1 = -
| apps1 =
| points1 =
| clubs1 = Suva
}}
Hon. Samuela Bainikalou Vunivalu (born c. 1957 in Nadi) is a Fijian former rugby union footballer and current politician. He played as flanker.
Career
Vunivalu debuted in the 1987 Rugby World Cup, against Argentina, at Hamilton, on 24 May. He debuted as substitute, replacing Peceli Gale. His last match for Fiji was against France, at Auckland, on 7 June. He played three matches in the World Cup, two as a substitute and one as starting member, which was against New Zealand at Christchurch.
Coaching career
In 2010, Vunivalu coached the NRU-affiliated Mosi Rugby{{cite news|url=http://fijisun.com.fj/2010/05/14/vunivalu-spoils-rugby |title=Vunivalu 'spoils rugby' |newspaper=Fiji Sun |accessdate=2017-05-28}}{{cite news|url=http://fijisun.com.fj/2010/01/06/no-more-excuses-vunivalu-tells-tueli/ |title=No more excuses, Vunivalu tells Tueli Samuela Vunivalu |newspaper=Fiji Sun |accessdate=2017-05-28}}
Political career
During the 2014 general election, Vunivalu was elected a Member of the Parliament of Fiji for FijiFirst.{{cite web|url=http://www.fbc.com.fj/sports/23553/vunivalu-urges-players-to-look-at-future |title=FBC News |website=Fbc.com.fj |date=2014-10-08 |accessdate=2017-05-28}}{{cite news|url=http://fijisun.com.fj/2015/09/26/vunivalu-defends-military-police/ |title=Vunivalu Defends Military, Police |newspaper=Fiji Sun |accessdate=2017-05-28}} He was not selected by FijiFirst as a candidate for the 2018 election.{{cite web |url=http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/09/20/prime-minister-praises-work-of-11-mps-not-in-poll-line-up/ |title=Prime Minister Praises work of 11 MPs not in Poll Line-up |publisher=Fiji Sun |author=Fonua Talei |date=20 September 2018 |accessdate=16 October 2018}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{ESPNscrum|10242}}
{{Fiji Squad 1987 Rugby World Cup}}
{{Fiji First |state=expanded}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vunivalu, Samuela}}
Category:Fiji international rugby union players
Category:Fijian rugby union players
Category:I-Taukei Fijian members of the Parliament of Fiji
Category:FijiFirst politicians
Category:Rugby union players from Nadi
Category:I-Taukei Fijian people
Category:Fijian sportsperson-politicians
Category:1987 Rugby World Cup players
{{Fiji-rugbyunion-bio-stub}}