Young Tonumaipea
{{short description|Samoa international rugby league & union footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Young Tonumaipea
|nickname =
|image = Young Tonumaipea.png
|imagesize =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1992|9|6}}
|birth_place = Apia, Samoa
|height = {{convert|182|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|95|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|position = {{rlp|CE|WG}}
|club1 = Melbourne Storm
|year1start = 2014
|year1end = 18
|appearances1 = 43
|tries1 = 12
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 48
|club2 = Gold Coast Titans
|year2start = 2020
|year2end =
|appearances2 = 10
|tries2 = 3
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 12
|club3 = Melbourne Storm
|year3start = 2022
|year3end = 24
|appearances3 = 12
|tries3 = 5
|goals3 = 0
|fieldgoals3 = 0
|points3 = 20
|ru_club1 = {{Rut|Rebels}}
|ru_year1start = 2021
|ru_year1end = 22
|ru_appearances1 = 6
|ru_tries1 = 3
|ru_goals1 = 0
|ru_fieldgoals1 = 0
|ru_points1 = 15
|teamA = Samoa
|yearAstart = 2014
|yearAend = 17
|appearancesA = 5
|triesA = 1
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 4
|retired =
|updated = 30 August 2024
}}
Yee-Huang "Young" Tonumaipea (born 6 September 1992) is a retired Samoan professional rugby league footballer who played as a {{rlp|ce}} or {{rlp|wg}}er for the Melbourne Storm.
Tonumaipea previously played rugby union for the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby.
Early life
Born in Apia, Samoa, Tonumaipea moved to Melbourne, Australia at a young age and attended Roxburgh Secondary College.
Tonumaipea played his junior rugby league for the Northern Thunder in the Melbourne Rugby League{{cite news|url=https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2014/05/28/local_young_gun_to_stay_with_storm.html|title=Local Young Gun to Stay with Storm|website=Melbourne Storm|date=28 May 2014|access-date=15 April 2015}} before joining the Melbourne Storm.
Rugby league career
=Early career=
Tonumaipea played for Melbourne's S. G. Ball Cup team in 2009 and their NYC team in 2011 and 2012.{{cite web|url=http://rleague.com/players/Young-Tonumaipea_3265/Matches/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929034850/http://rleague.com/players/Young-Tonumaipea_3265/Matches/|archive-date=2013-09-29|title=Young Tonumaipea player results, scores, news and statistics|date=29 September 2013|access-date=13 July 2016}} At the end of 2012, Tonumaipea won Melbourne's NYC player of the year award.
File:youngtonumaipea.jpg in 2013]]
In 2013, Tonumaipea played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks NSW Cup team, and was in Cronulla's NSW Cup grand final winning side that defeated the Windsor Wolves 36–8.{{cite web|author=Michael Carayannis|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/cronulla-sharks-overpower-windsor-wolves-to-claim-nsw-cup-title-20131006-2v1z7.html|title=Cronulla Sharks overpower Windsor Wolves to claim NSW Cup title|date=6 October 2013|publisher=Smh.com.au|access-date=2015-11-01}}
=2014 - 2018: Melbourne Storm=
In February 2014, Tonumaipea was included in Melbourne's inaugural 2014 Auckland Nines squad.{{cite web|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/squads-auckland-nines/|title=Squads For Auckland Nines|publisher=Rugby League Week|date=2014-02-14|access-date=2015-11-01}} In round 1 of the 2014 NRL season, Tonumaipea made his NRL debut for the Melbourne Storm against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on the wing in Melbourne's 23–22 golden point win.{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/storm-edge-out-sea-eagles-by-narrowest-of-margins/story-fnca0von-1226849161861|title=Storm Edge Out Sea Eagles by Narrowest of Margins|publisher=Theaustralian.com.au|access-date=2015-11-01}} In round 3, against the Newcastle Knights, Tonumaipea scored his first NRL career try in Melbourne's 28–20 win at AAMI Park.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/melbourne-storm-too-strong-for-gutsy-newcastle-knights-on-monday-night/story-fni3fbgz-1226863459671|title=Storm Too Strong for Gutsy Knights|publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-11-01}} In round 6, in a match against the St George Illawarra Dragons, Tonumaipea scored a try after the full-time siren to win to the game for Melbourne 28–24 after they had been behind 24–10 in the second half.{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/melbourne-storm-beat-st-george-illawarra-dragons-in-thriller/story-fnca0von-1226884324446|title=Storm Beat Dragons in Thriller|publisher=Theaustralian.com.au|access-date=2015-11-01}} Tonumaipea was selected to play for Samoa in the 3 May 2014 Pacific Rugby League International against Fiji. Tonumaipea played on the wing in the 32–16 win at Penrith Stadium; Tonumaipea had a try disallowed in the match.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/gutsy-samoa-secures-place-in-four-nations-tournament-following-win-over-fiji/story-fni3fbgz-1226904268873|title=Gutsy Samoa Secures Place in Four Nations Tournament|publisher=Dailytelegraph.com.au|access-date=2015-11-01}} On 28 May 2014, Tonumaipea re-signed with the Melbourne club for a further two years, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2016 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/melbourne-storm-resigns-promising-winger-young-tonumaipea-after-retaining-kevin-proctor/story-fni3gpfh-1226934335031|title=No CookiesHerald Sun|publisher=Heraldsun.com.au|access-date=2015-11-01}} Tonumaipea finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 14 matches and scoring three tries for Melbourne.
On 23 January 2015, Tonumaipea was named in Melbourne's 2015 Auckland Nines squad.{{cite web|url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/storm-unveil-2015-nines-squad/|title=STORM UNVEIL 2015 NINES SQUAD|publisher=Rugby League Week|date=2015-01-23|access-date=2015-11-01}}
Tonumaipea was named in Melbourne's 2016 Auckland Nines squad. He did not appear in the 2016 NRL Grand Final against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. He played 12 matches and scored two tries.
Tonumaipea was named in Melbourne's 2017 Auckland Nines squad and he was co-captain for the Storm with Kenny Bromwich. On 5 February at 2017 Auckland Nines against the Newcastle Knights, he scored a try in the 20–10 win, a try in Melbourne's 25–12 win at the quarter-finals against the North Queensland Cowboys and a try in Melbourne's 16–21 loss over the Sydney Roosters in the semi-final at Eden Park. He played five matches and scored three tries in the Nines tournament, while in the NRL, he played seven matches scoring two tries.
On 6 October, Tonumaipea was selected the Samoa squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup tournament. On 11 November in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup match against Scotland, playing at {{rlp|fb}} Tonumaipea scored his first international try in the 14-all draw at Barlow Park in Cairns. He played in all four of Samoa's matches in the World Cup tournament.
In May 2018 Tonumaipea announced he would be leaving his club in July, after the State of Origin series, to complete a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over in Germany for two years.{{cite web |title=Storm's Tonumaipea to quit NRL for Mormon mission |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/storm-s-tonumaipea-to-quit-nrl-for-mormon-mission-20180531-p4zijv.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=28 July 2018 |language=en |date=30 May 2018}}
=2020: Gold Coast Titans=
Tonumaipea signed a train and trial deal with the Gold Coast Titans.{{cite web |last1=Gould |first1=Joel |title=Tonumaipea on a new mission at Titans |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/05/05/tonumaipea-on-a-new-mission-at-titans/ |website=NRL.com |access-date=8 June 2022 |date=5 May 2020}} He made his debut for the Gold Coast in their 28–23 win against the Wests Tigers, playing in the {{rlp|ce}}s.
=2022- 24: Melbourne Storm=
In June 2022, Tonumaipea rejoined Melbourne Storm, signing a train and trial contract following the completion of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season where he played for Melbourne Rebels.{{cite web |title=Tonumaipea back at Storm |url=https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2022/06/08/tonumaipea-back-at-storm/ |website=melbournestorm.com.au |access-date=8 June 2022 |date=8 June 2022}}{{cite web |last1=O'Loughlin |first1=Liam |title=Cross-code journeyman Young Tonumaipea returns to Melbourne Storm for remainder of 2022 |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/cross-code-journeyman-young-tonumaipea-returns-melbourne-storm-remainder-2022/dk99zvntadfytoyipajrk8sm |website=Sporting News |access-date=9 June 2022 |date=8 June 2022}} Following a four-year absence, Tonumaipea featured twice for Melbourne during the 2022 season scoring two tries.{{cite web |title=Young Tonumaipea: Season in Review |url=https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2022/09/21/young-tonumaipea-season-in-review/ |website=melbournestorm.com.au |access-date=26 September 2022 |date=21 September 2022}}
Tonumaipea played nine games for Melbourne in the 2023 NRL season as they finished third on the table. He played in the club's 26-0 qualifying final loss to Brisbane which caused him to be demoted from the team and replaced by Justin Olam for the semi-final against the Sydney Roosters.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-2023-melbourne-storm-season-review/af9dab1e4f900cda437dc53f#:~:text=The%20expectations%20for%20the%20Storm,clubs%2C%20but%20not%20the%20Storm./|title=NRL 2023: Melbourne Storm season review|website=www.sportingnews.com}} On 19 November 2024, Tonumaipea retired from the NRL and took up a role at the Storm as wellbeing officer for the team's pathway squad.{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Ethan Lee |date=2025-01-05 |title=Melbourne Storm winger hangs up the boots |url=https://www.zerotackle.com/melbourne-storm-winger-hangs-up-the-boots-218043/ |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=Zero Tackle |language=en-US}}
NRL Statistics
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Pts |
| 2014
| rowspan="5" |{{Leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} Melbourne Storm |14 |3 |12 |
| 2015
|4 |2 |8 |
| 2016
|12 |2 |8 |
| 2017
|6 |2 |8 |
| 2018
|7 |3 |12 |
| 2020
|{{Leagueicon|Gold Coast Titans|16}} Gold Coast Titans |10 |3 |12 |
| 2022
| rowspan="3" |{{Leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} Melbourne Storm |2 |2 |8 |
| 2023
|9 |3 |12 |
| 2024
|1 | | |
| |Totals
|65 |20 |80 |
Rugby union career
In October 2020, Tonumaipea returned to Melbourne, but this time signing a contract with Super Rugby franchise Melbourne Rebels.{{cite web |title=Tonumaipea Returns to Victoria a Rebel |url=https://melbournerebels.rugby/news/2020/10/05/tonumaipea-returns-to-victoria-a-rebel |publisher=Melbourne Rebels |access-date=9 June 2022 |date=6 October 2020}} He played two seasons with the Rebels before returning to the NRL.{{cite web |url=https://7news.com.au/sport/rugby-league/tonumaipea-returns-from-rugby-to-storm-c-7095211 |title=Tonumaipea returns from rugby to Storm |publisher=7 Sport |access-date=18 June 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/cross-code-journeyman-young-tonumaipea-returns-melbourne-storm-remainder-2022/dk99zvntadfytoyipajrk8sm |title=Cross-code journeyman Young Tonumaipea returns to Melbourne Storm for remainder of 2022 |publisher=Sporting News |date=8 June 2022 |access-date=18 June 2022}}
=Super Rugby statistics=
{{updated|30 May 2022|{{cite web | url=http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/players/young-tonumaipea-27990.html | title=Player Statistics | work=It's Rugby}}}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; line-height:90%; font-size:95%; width:60%;" | ||||||||||||
| Season | Team | Games | Starts | Sub | Mins | Tries | Cons | Pens | Drops | Points | Yel | Red |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 AU | {{Rut|Rebels}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 TT | {{Rut|Rebels}} | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | {{Rut|Rebels}} | 5 | 2 | 3 | 187 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total || 6 || 2 || 4 || 194 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 15 || 0 || 0 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20190319231333/https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/melbourne-storm/young-tonumaipea/ Melbourne Storm profile]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20171114200111/http://www.melbournestorm.com.au/team/profiles/young-tonumaipea.html Storm profile]
{{Samoa 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tonumaipea, Young}}
Category:Gold Coast Titans players
Category:Melbourne Rebels players
Category:Melbourne Storm players
Category:Rugby league players from Apia
Category:Rugby union players from Apia
Category:Samoa national rugby league team players
Category:Samoan emigrants to Australia
Category:Samoan rugby league players
Category:Samoan rugby union players
Category:Sunshine Coast Falcons players
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{{samoa-rugbyunion-bio-stub}}