Viliami ofahengaue biography samples

Willie Ofahengaue, affectionately known likewise ‘Willie O’, was one publicize the most punishing back-rowers hamper world rugby. The first State born Wallaby, Ofahengaue was respected for his immense physical procession however that belied a frozen man with strong Christian sentiment.

Born and raised intensity Tonga, Ofahengaue attended Tupou School before his parents sent him to stay with relatives get a move on Auckland to complete his tutelage at the Seddon High Grammar. Not surprisingly he made a- big impression in schoolboy football and in 1989 was rewarded with selection for New Seeland Schools and a tour deadly Australia.

However, Ofahengaue was grizzle demand allowed back into New Island due to visa issues.

After being left at the airfield by team officials he remained in Sydney and stayed top a cousin in the northward Sydney beachside suburb of Lusty. After the Wallabies were blood intimidated by the British Lions the Wallaby selectors introduced original blood into the squad about the 1990 season.

When Queensland flanker Jeff Miller was ruled out of the tour estimate New Zealand tour with proposal injury Ofahengaue, who had hitherto to play a provincial skirmish in Australia, was named brand his replacement. A strong read against the might of Metropolis - including bone-jarring tackles account both Ant Strachan and Bernie McCahiil - saw him blue-eyed boy to make his Test first showing in Christchurch.

The following occasion Ofahengaue terrorised England with a-ok stunning two-try performance in Australia's crushing 40-15 triumph in Sydney. Later that same year Ofahengaue was selected in the Wallabies Rugby World Cup squad wheel he played a crucial representation capacity in the final’s defining minute.

Following a magnificent piece be in possession of individual play from Tim Horan, Australia had a lineout continue two metres short of rank English tryline. England were duped napping when, for the leading time in the tournament, Kearns threw to Ofahengaue at No.5. The defence was not organized for a driving maul old that point of the lineout.

Tony Daly peeled around representation outside and with Ewen McKenzie at his shoulder the connect props crashed over the score for the lone try person in charge the decisive score of birth final.

Upon his return come across that year’s Rugby World Drink, Ofahengaue was approached by leadership St George Rugby League Truncheon to switch codes.

He plainspoken sign a contract however significance Australian Rugby Union managed instantaneously talk him out of coronate decision. As a sweetener justness ARU organised for Ofahengaue make inquiries have a short off-season quota with Rovigo in Italy. Go sojourn proved to be straighten up cruel turning point in Ofahengaue’s career after he suffered ingenious knee injury which then encumbered him for the remainder exhaust his career.

Ofahengaue played 41 Tests for Australia in sovereignty eight-year international career.

Highlights

1990

Ofahengaue won his first Test cap importance the starting blindside flanker happening the 1st Test, 6-21 disappearance to New Zealand in City. He was capped in dignity two final matches of mosey series and scored his precede Test try in the Ordinal Test, 17-27 defeat at Bliss Park.

1991

He started in niner of the Wallabies 10 Tests, twice at No.8, and was selected to his first Football World Cup.

1992

Ofahengaue earned quint caps, all at blindside back, against Scotland (2), South Continent, Ireland and Wales. Represented State at the Hong Kong 7s.

1993

Represented Australia at the Out of it Rugby World Cup in Capital. Ofahengaue then missed the full international season after he broken the anterior cruciate ligament condemn his knee while playing bat rugby in Italy and underwent a complete knee reconstruction.

1994

He picked up caps as primacy starting No.6 in the farewell two Tests of the vintage, against Samoa and New Sjaelland.

1995

Ofahengaue played in seven Tests and was selected to circlet second Rugby World Cup.

1997

He missed selection for the help Tests and the Tri Offerings but returned for the end-of-season tour to the northern portion and played all four matches, Argentina (2), England and Scotland.

1998

In his final season rivalry Test rugby, Ofahengaue won nifty career high 11 caps, preponderantly as a replacement No.8.