Willie Wolfgramm
{{Short description|New Zealand rugby league footballer and coach}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Willie Wolfgramm
|fullname =
|image =
|caption =
|country =
|position = {{rlp|HB}}
|currentclub =
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1970|9|20}}
|height =
|weight =
|club1 = Counties Manukau
|year1start = 1994
|year1end =
|appearances1 = 19
|tries1 = 9
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 36
|club2 = Swinton Lions
|year2start = 1996
|year2end =
|appearances2 = 21
|tries2 = 15
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 60
|teamA = Tonga
|yearAstart = 1992
|yearAend = 06
|appearancesA = 8
|triesA = 5
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 20
|teamB =
|yearBstart =
|yearBend =
|appearancesB =
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|updated =
|source = [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/willie-wolfgramm/summary.html RLP]{{Rugby league records |id=4025 |title=Willie Wolfgramm |access-date=28 December 2023}}
|new =
}}
Willie Wolfgramm is a former professional rugby league and rugby union player who represented Tonga at two Rugby League World Cups and the 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens.
Background
He is the cousin of fellow Tongan international Greg Wolfgramm.
Playing career
Wolfgramm played for Tonga in the 1992 Pacific Cup.{{cite book|author1=John Oliver Coffey|author2=Bernie Wood|title=100 Years: Māori Rugby League, 1908–2008|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nklWo8vw-iIC&pg=PA276|year=2008|publisher=Huia Publishers|isbn=978-1-86969-331-2|page=276}}
He then spent some time at Manly before joining the Counties Manukau Heroes in the new Lion Red Cup. He came off the bench in the 1994 Lion Red Cup grand final loss to the North Harbour Sea Eagles.Lion Red Rugby League Annual 1994, New Zealand Rugby Football League, 1994. p.106
Following the World Cup Wolfgramm signed with Swinton.[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-wigan-vs-bath-on-leagues-agenda-1524369.html Wigan vs Bath on League's agenda] The Independent, 6 December 1995[http://archive.thisislancashire.co.uk/1996/3/29/856090.html Trios Lions Debut] Bolton Evening News, 29 Match 1996
Wolfgramm played in the 1997 Super League Nines for Tonga.[http://www.rugby-league-world.com/1997/Results/RepMatches/nines.html World Nines Tournament] rugby-league-world.com
Wolfgramm also won the 1999 Group 20 Rugby League premiership with the Narrandera Lizards as their Captain/Coach.
He was then included in the 2000 World Cup side.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/static/in_depth/rugby_league/2000/world_cup/team_profiles/tonga.stm Tonga] BBC Sport
In 2001, 2003 and 2004 Wolfgramm was part of the West Belconnen Warriors side in the Canberra Raiders Cup.[http://www.queanbeyanage.com.au/news/local/sport/rugby-league/blues-face-flustered-foes/682195.aspx Blues face flustered foes] The Queanbeyan Age, 26 July 2004[http://www.queanbeyanage.com.au/news/local/sport/rugby-league/roos-blues/680237.aspx?storypage=0 Roos' blues] The Queanbeyan Age, 29 May 2003[http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/sport/other/district-teams-boot-up-for-battle-of-bush/604800.aspx?storypage=0 District teams boot up for battle of bush] The Canberra Times, 21 February 2002 Wolfgramm spent 2002 with the Valley Dragons.
Return to New Zealand
Wolfgramm returned to New Zealand, playing for the Counties Manukau Jetz in the 2006 Bartercard Cup. He played for Tonga in the 2006 Pacific Cup and was man of the match in the final.[http://tnrl.piczo.com/?cr=5 Tongan National Rugby League]
He played for the Bay Roskill Vikings between 2010 and 2011 in the Auckland Rugby League's Sharman Cup competition, serving as player-coach.[http://www.sportingpulse.com/team_info.cgi?player=Willie%20Wolfgramm&action=PSTATS&pID=190093089&client=0-4975-0-115336-12965392 Willie Wolfgramm While Playing for BAY ROSKILL VIKINGS in SAS SHARMAN CUP] Bay Roskill Vikings[http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/7616213/Ex-league-player-tried-to-import-meth Ex-league player tried to import meth] stuff.co.nz, 5 September 2012
Wolfgramm, who works as a butcher, was arrested in December 2011 for being involved in a plot to import methamphetamine into New Zealand.[http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/6148728/Sportsmen-charged-over-drug-hoax Sportsmen charged over drug hoax] stuff.co.nz, 16 December 2011
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Tonga squad 2000 Rugby League World Cup}}
{{Tonga 1995 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{Tonga 1993 Rugby Sevens World Cup Squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wolfgramm, Willie}}
Category:New Zealand sportspeople of Tongan descent
Category:New Zealand rugby league players
Category:New Zealand expatriate rugby league players in England
Category:Tonga national rugby league team players
Category:Tongan rugby league players
Category:Swinton Lions players
Category:Counties Manukau rugby league team players
Category:Auckland rugby league team players
Category:Bay Roskill Vikings players
Category:Rugby league halfbacks