Christian Lealiifano

Christian Leali'ifano (born 24 September 1987), is an Australian professional rugby player. He is of Samoan heritage, and his surname is spelled Leali'ifano when using Samoan diacritics. He currently plays for the Brumbies in Super Rugby and Toyota Jido Shokki in the Japanese Top League and his usual position is inside centre or fly-half.[3] In August 2016, two weeks after the Brumbies were knocked out of the Super Rugby finals, Leali'ifano was diagnosed with leukaemia. He has resumed playing after receiving a bone marrow transplant, and in 2017 signed for Ulster, who play in the Guinness Pro14, on loan.

Christian Leali'ifano
Birth nameChristian Leali'ifano
Date of birth (1987-09-24) 24 September 1987
Place of birthAuckland, New Zealand
Height1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Weight92 kg (14.5 st; 203 lb)[2]
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre / Fly-half
Current team Brumbies
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007
2014−2015
2016−2017
2017–2018
2018–		 Canberra Vikings
Canberra Vikings
Suntory Sungoliath
→ Ulster (loan)
Toyota Jido Shokki		 6
10
0
17
0		 (10)
(90)
(0)
(47)
(0)
Correct as of 21 January 2018
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010 Waikato 11 (5)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007– Brumbies 148 (973)
Correct as of 17 June 2019
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013–2019 Australia 22 (148)
Correct as of 19 September 2019

Early life

Leali'ifano was born in Auckland and moved with his family to Melbourne when he was seven years old.[4] He attended Epping Primary School and Peter Lalor Secondary College. He played rugby union for the Australian Schoolboys team in 2004 and 2005.[5]

Leali'ifano joined the Brumbies rugby academy program in 2006.[5] Later that year he was selected for the Australian Under 19 and Under 21 rugby teams.[6][7] He played fly-half for the Australian Under 19 rugby team that won the IRB World Championship in 2006.[5]

Club career
Lealiifano in 2013

In 2007, Leali'ifano signed with the Brumbies on a rookie contract. He played for the Australian Sevens rugby team, and for the Canberra Vikings in the Australian Rugby Championship in 2007.[6][8]

Leali'ifano made his Super Rugby debut in 2008 against the Crusaders in Christchurch.[3] He played fly-half in 2008 and 2009, before shifting to inside centre when Matt Giteau returned to the Brumbies in 2010.[4] Leali'ifano played six Super 14 games for the Brumbies in 2010 before being sidelined with a knee injury (rupture to his posterior cruciate). He recovered by July to play in the ITM Cup for Waikato in 2010,[3] and he played fourteen matches for the Brumbies in 2011.

In 2012, Leali'ifano was named Man of the Match by Super Rugby officials for eight out of the ten Super Rugby games he played.[3] Unfortunately, he suffered a broken ankle in his tenth game which ended his season and any chance of being selected for the Wallabies in 2012.[3]

In August 2017, after successful treatment for leukaemia, Leali'ifano signed for Irish Pro14 and European Rugby Champions Cup side Ulster on a 5-month loan deal.[9]

International career

Leali'ifano's Test debut for the Wallabies lasted less than one minute. On 22 June 2013, he was knocked out attempting to tackle the British and Irish Lions centre Jonathan Davies in Brisbane.[10]

Super Rugby statistics
As of 22 July 2016[11]
SeasonTeamGamesStartsSubMinsTriesConsPensDropsPointsYelRed
2008 Brumbies13130104020001010
2009 Brumbies99071240022600
2010 Brumbies6604661000500
2011 Brumbies1412293720101310
2012 Brumbies1010078801725010900
2013 Brumbies18180139342258023800
2014 Brumbies131039040121506900
2015 Brumbies18180141943328017000
2016 Brumbies16160126734122016300
Total1171125892620125149280320

Reference list
  1. https://www.rugby.com.au/players/christian-lealiifano#Rugby-World-Cup
  2. https://www.rugby.com.au/players/christian-lealiifano#Rugby-World-Cup
  3. "Brumbies Profile: Christian Lealiifano". Brumbies. 20 March 2012. Archived from the original on 17 March 2012.
  4. Harris, Bret (17 February 2012). "Christian Lealiifano will take some time before signing a new contract". The Australian.
  5. Ceddia, Adrian (2 May 2006). "Union world at Christian's feet". Whittlesea-Mernda-Doreen Star. Star News. Archived from the original on 4 April 2013.
  6. "Lealiifano re-signs with ACT Brumbies" (Press release). Titan Management. 5 September 2007.
  7. ARU (22 May 2006). "Australian U21s selected for 2006 IRB World Championships" (Press release). Australian Rugby Union. Archived from the original on 4 April 2013.
  8. Brumbies Media Unit (20 March 2012). "Lealiifano ready to take on the Highlanders" (Press release). Brumbies. Archived from the original on 4 April 2013.
  9. "Pro14: Ulster sign Australia fly-half Christian Lealiifano on five-month deal". BBC Sport. 21 August 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  10. "Wallabies Lealiifano, Barnes injured in first half". Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  11. "Player Statistics". its rugby. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
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