Willie Isa
{{short description|Samoa international rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Willie Isa
|fullname = William Isa
|image = William Isa.jpg
|image_size =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|1|1|df=y}}
|birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand
|height = {{convert|5|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|15|st|4|lb|kg||abbr=on}}
|position = {{rlp|SR|CE|LF|WG}}
|club1 = Penrith Panthers
|year1start = 2008
|appearances1 = 1
|tries1 = 0
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 0
|club2 = Melbourne Storm
|year2start = 2009
|year2end = 10
|appearances2 = 5
|tries2 = 2
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 8
|club3 = Castleford Tigers
|year3start = 2011
|year3end =
|appearances3 = 11
|tries3 = 6
|goals3 = 0
|fieldgoals3 = 0
|points3 = 24
|club4 = Widnes Vikings
|year4start = 2012
|year4end = 15
|appearances4 = 87
|tries4 = 4
|goals4 = 0
|fieldgoals4 = 0
|points4 = 16
|club5 = Wigan Warriors
|year5start = 2016
|year5end = 24
|appearances5 = 209
|tries5 = 17
|goals5 = 0
|fieldgoals5 = 0
|points5 = 68
|teamA = Samoa
|yearAstart = 2010
|yearAend =
|appearancesA = 1
|triesA = 0
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 0
|source = {{Cite web|url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/willie-isa/summary.html|title=Willie Isa - Playing Career - RLP|website=www.rugbyleagueproject.org|accessdate=22 February 2025}}{{Rugby league records |id=5328 |title=Willie Isa |access-date=4 April 2023}}
|retired = yes
|updated = 23 January 2025
}}
Willie Isa (born 1 January 1989) is a retired Samoa international rugby league footballer who played as a {{rlp|ce}} or {{rlp|wg}}er for Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League, and the Castleford Tigers, Widnes Vikings, and Wigan Warriors in the Super League.
On 23 January 2025, Isa announced his retirement from playing with immediate effect due to medical reasons.{{cite web|url=https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2025/01/23/willie-isa-to-leave|title=Willie Isa to leave|date=23 January 2025|publisher=wiganwarriors.com}} Following retirement, he moved to Chelsea F.C. as a Player Support and Development Officer.{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/11095/13311833/willie-isa-why-have-chelsea-appointed-ex-rugby-league-star-to-premier-league-backroom-staff|title=Willie Isa: Why have Chelsea appointed ex-rugby league star to Premier League backroom staff?|website=Sky Sports|accessdate=22 February 2025}}
Background
Isa was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and moved to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia as a 1-year-old. Isa was educated at St Dominic's College, Penrith.
He played his junior rugby league for the St Mary's Saints before being signed by the Penrith Panthers.
Career
Isa previously played one NRL match for the Penrith Panthers, called up unexpectedly at half-time in a NYC game to replace an injured player.{{cite news|author=Nick Walshaw|work=ABC News|title=Storm rookie Willie Isa in Israel Folau's footsteps|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,25111318-5006066,00.html|access-date=6 March 2009|date=27 February 2009}}
Isa was signed by Melbourne for the 2009 NRL season and he was compared to the Storm's former star player, Israel Folau.
He was selected in the Samoan squad in 2010.{{cite web |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2010/10/08/toa-samoa-names-team-to-face-nz/ |title=Toa Samoa names team to face NZ |publisher=NRL |date=8 October 2010 |access-date=26 February 2022}}
On 16 December 2010, it was announced that Isa had signed for Castleford on a 12-month contract, Castleford coach Terry Matterson referred to this signing as being similar to that of Rangi Chase
Isa signed for Widnes for the 2012 Season.
In 2012, Widnes fan, David Quayle created a Facebook page on Isa, stating that if Isa was to score; the Widnes fans would riot. Despite popularity on Facebook, no fans rioted when Isa scored his first (and second) Widnes try against Hull F.C. in a 42–16 win.
In 2013, Isa found a new position, that position of second row transformed him into one of the form players of the super league. On 16 May 2014, Isa was the 9th player in as many weeks to sign a new contract and stay with the Vikings. He signed a new two-year deal.{{cite web |url=http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12228/9313684/super-league-willie-isa-signs-new-two-year-deal-with-widnes-vikings |title=Super League: Willie Isa signs new two-year deal with Widnes Vikings |publisher=Sky Sports |date=16 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002214047/http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12228/9313684/super-league-willie-isa-signs-new-two-year-deal-with-widnes-vikings |archive-date=2 October 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://superleague.co.uk/article/30223/isa-commits-to-widnes |title=Isa commits to Widnes |publisher=Super League |date=16 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716032247/http://superleague.co.uk/article/30223/isa-commits-to-widnes |archive-date=16 July 2014}}
On 29 September 2015, it was announced that Isa had signed a two-year contract with an option for a 3rd year with Wigan starting in 2016.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-league/34390001 |title=Willie Isa: Wigan Warriors sign Widnes Vikings forward |publisher=BBC |date=29 September 2015 |access-date=26 February 2022}}
Isa played in the 2016 Super League Grand Final victory over the Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/oct/08/super-league-grand-final-warrington-wigan-live|title=Warrington 6-12 Wigan: Super League Grand Final – as it happened!|publisher=Guardian|date=8 October 2016|access-date=6 November 2019}}
Isa played in the 2017 Challenge Cup Final defeat by Hull F.C. at Wembley Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/challenge-cup-final-live-score-11054626|title=Hull FC 18-14 Wigan recap as the Black and Whites claim back-to-back Challenge Cup triumphs|publisher=Mirror|date=26 August 2017|access-date=6 November 2019}}
Isa played in the 2020 Super League Grand Final which Wigan lost 8–4 against St Helens.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/55072997/|title=Super League Grand Final: Wigan 4-8 St Helens|website=BBC|date=25 November 2020 }}
In round 20 of the 2021 Super League season, Isa was sent to the sin bin and placed on report for another incident in Wigan's 26–2 loss against St Helens.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/58287751/|title=Super League: Wigan Warriors 2-26 St Helens - Saints coast to highly charged derby win|website=BBC|date=20 August 2021 }}
Isa played 22 games for Wigan in the 2022 Super League season. Isa did not feature in the clubs 2022 Challenge Cup Final victory over Huddersfield.{{cite web|url=https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby-league/wigan-warriors-willie-isa-states-he-is-grateful-to-be-on-the-verge-of-making-his-250th-super-league-appearance-3751434/|title=Wigan Warriors: Willie Isa states he is grateful to be on the verge of making his 250th Super League appearance|website=www.wigantoday.net|date=30 June 2022 }}
On 14 October 2023, Isa played in Wigan's 2023 Super League Grand Final victory over the Catalans Dragons. In the post match celebrations, Sky Sports presenter Brian Carney described Isa as a "junkyard dog".{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/oct/14/catalans-dragons-wigan-super-league-grand-final-rugby-league-match-report/|title=Wigan Warriors crowned Super League champions after downing Dragons|website=www.theguardian.com|date=14 October 2023 |last1=Bower |first1=Aaron }}
On 24 February 2024, Isa played in Wigan's 2024 World Club Challenge final victory over Penrith.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/68337685/|title=World Club Challenge: Wigan Warriors 16-12 Penrith Panthers - Cherry and Whites crowned world champions for fifth time|website=BBC|date=24 February 2024 }}
In October 2024, he signed a one-year contract extension with Wigan.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/cd6qx4dp713o|title=Hampshire to leave Wigan as Isa extends stay|date=4 October 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=4 October 2024}} On 23 January 2025, Isa announced his retirement from rugby league mere months after signing an extension. {{Cite web |last=Fletcher |first=Charlotte |date=2025-01-23 |title=Willie Isa to leave |url=https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2025/01/23/willie-isa-to-leave/ |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=Wigan Warriors |language=en-GB}}
Honours
=Melbourne Storm=
- NRL
- Winners (1): 2009
- World Club Challenge
- Winners (1): 2010
NB: Both these honours were stripped from Melbourne due to the Melbourne Storm salary cap breach
=Wigan Warriors=
- Super League
- Winners (4): 2016, 2018, 2023, 2024
- League Leaders' Shield
- Winners (3): 2020, 2023, 2024
- Challenge Cup
- Winners (1): 2022
- World Club Challenge
- Winners (2): 2017, 2024
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.wiganwarriors.com/teams/first-team/willie-isa Wigan Warriors profile]
- [http://www.castigers.com/player/365 Castleford Tigers profile]
- [https://www.superleague.co.uk/player/28/willie%3Cbr-%3Eisa SL profile]
{{Wigan Warriors squad - 2016 Super League champions}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Isa, William}}
Category:Castleford Tigers players
Category:Samoan expatriate rugby league players in Australia
Category:Melbourne Storm players
Category:New Zealand expatriate rugby league players in Australia
Category:New Zealand expatriate rugby league players in England
Category:New Zealand sportspeople of Samoan descent
Category:New Zealand rugby league players
Category:Penrith Panthers players
Category:Rugby league players from Auckland
Category:Samoa national rugby league team players
Category:Samoan rugby league players
Category:Widnes Vikings players