Mike Tamoaieta

Michael Tamoaieta (6 July 1995 – 1 March 2019) was a Samoan-born, Gilbertese origin, New Zealand rugby union player. A prop, Tamoaieta represented North Harbour at a provincial level, and played for the Blues in the Super Rugby competition.[1]

Mike Tamoaieta

Date of birth	6 July 1995
Place of birth	Apia, Samoa
Date of death	1 March 2019 (aged 23)
Height	176 cm (5 ft 9 in)
Weight	118 kg (18 st 8 lb; 260 lb)
School	Sacred Heart College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2017–2018 2018 North Harbour Blues 18 10 (0) (0) Correct as of 29 September 2018 National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2015 Samoa U20 5 (0) Correct as of 20 June 2015

Tamoaieta died on 1 March 2019.[2]

Professional career

2017–2019

In August 2017, the North Harbour Rugby Union released their 33-man squad for the 2017 Mitre 10 Cup with the inclusion of Tamoaieta.[3] He was one of five players announced to make their debut in week one of the competition against Otago at QBE Stadium. Tamoaieta started in the match day fifteen at tighthead prop.[4]

Personal life

Death

Tamoaietas died on 1 March 2019, aged 23, at his home in Auckland which was announced on social media by his partner Helen Ti'eti'e the following day.[5] The cause of death was not made public.[6] Tributes and condolences were offered by New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew, New Zealand international Ardie Savea, and the Blues Super Rugby franchise.[6] In week two of the 2019 Super Rugby season, New Zealand teams, the Chiefs, the Crusaders, and the Blues wore black armbands to pay their respects and an acknowledgment of his life at their respective games in Hamilton, Brisbane, and Argentina.[7]

Statistics

Club	Year	Competition	GP	GS	TRY	CON	PEN	DGL	PTS	WL%
North Harbour	2017	Mitre 10 Cup (incl. Ranfurly Shield)	11	8	0	0	0	0	0	72.73	0	0
	2018		7	2	0	0	0	0	0	57.14	0	0
Blues	2018	Super Rugby	10	2	0	0	0	0	0	30.00	0	0
Career			28	12	0	0	0	0	0	53.57	0	0

Updated: 29 September 2018 Source: Michael Tamoaieta Rugby History

References

1. "Mike Tamoaieta". www.theblues.co.nz. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
2. "Blues and North Harbour prop Mike Tamoaieta dies". Stuff.co.nz. 2 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
3. "QBE North Harbour Mitre 10 Cup squad 2017 announced". Harbour Rugby. 8 August 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
4. "QBE North Harbour named to play Otago in Mitre 10 Cup opener". Harbour Rugby. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
5. "Blues, North Harbour player Mike Tamoaieta, 23, dies". New Zealand Herald. 2 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
6. Stephen Foote (2 March 2019). "Blues player Michael Tamoaieta dies, aged 23". Newshub. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
7. "A moment for Mike Tamoaieta ahead of tonight's Super Rugby games". New Zealand Herald. 2 March 2019. Retrieved 2 March 2019.