Stacey Ili

Stacey Ili (born 11 May 1991) is a professional rugby union player from New Zealand. He plays on the wing, at fullback and as a centre. Ili currently plays for Asia Pacific Dragons, based in Singapore, as part of the 2019 Global Rapid Rugby competition. He previously played for the Hawkes Bay Magpies in the 2018 season of New Zealands Mitre 10 cup. Prior to this he spent 2 years with Irish provincial side Connacht in the Pro14. He previously played at provincial level in New Zealand for Auckland and for Melbourne Rising in Australia's National Rugby Championship.

Stacey Ili
Birth nameStacey Ili
Date of birth (1991-05-11) 11 May 1991
Place of birthAuckland, New Zealand
Height1.81 m (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in)
Weight94 kg (14 st 11 lb)
SchoolOnehunga High School
Notable relative(s)Shea Ili (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Current team Asia Pacific Dragons
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016–2017 Connacht 15 (20)
Correct as of 28 April 2018
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015
2016		 Melbourne Rising
Auckland		 8
1		 (20)
(0)
Correct as of 20 August 2016

Early life

Ili was a student at Onehunga High School in Auckland. While there he played rugby union for the school side.[1] Ili also played basketball for the school.[2] Ili was involved with Auckland from 2012 and played sevens for the side, but did not represent the senior XVs side before his move to Australia to join Melbourne Rebels.[3]

Professional rugby career

Melbourne Rising

Ili played for Melbourne Rising, the Melbourne Rebels' NRC side in the 2015 season. He made seven appearances in the nine-game regular season, starting all of them, and scored tries against North Harbour Rays, Perth Spirit and Sydney Stars as the Rising finished third to qualify for the play-offs.[4] Ili started the play-off semi-final against the UC Vikings and scored the game's opening try after 16 minutes, but was ultimately on the losing side with the Rising beaten 50–34.[5]

Auckland

Ili returned to his native New Zealand for the 2016 season, joining Auckland. He started on the wing for the team in their opening match away to Canterbury, where Auckland were beaten 43–3.[6] In September 2016, it was announced that Ili had signed for Irish side Connacht, and would be joining the team within a week, meaning he would depart before the end of the season.[7]

Connacht

Ili joined Connacht for the 2016–17 Pro12 season.[3][7]

Personal life

Ili's younger brother, Shea, is a professional basketball player. Shea Ili plays as a point guard and has played internationally for New Zealand.[8]

References
  1. "Fonoti poised for first Auckland start". Auckland Rugby Union. Retrieved 20 September 2016. Fonoti played 1st XV rugby at Onehunga High School alongside Taleni Seu, last week’s debutant Stacey Ili ad [sic] well as Josh Kaifa who is set to debut tomorrow night.
  2. "College sport: Westlake success boost for Tall Blacks". The New Zealand Herald. 29 July 2009. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  3. "Connacht strengthen squad with the arrival of Auckland back Stacey Ili". Newstalk. 14 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  4. "Player statistics - club stats: Stacey Ili". Itsrugby. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  5. "Vikings see off the Rising". Green and Gold Rugby. 23 October 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  6. "Rugby: Auckland name Olympian brothers for Mitre 10 Cup opener". The New Zealand Herald. 18 August 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  7. "Connacht announce signing of Stacey Ili from Auckland". The42. 14 September 2016. Retrieved 20 September 2016.
  8. "'I miss home, I miss the food, but I am enjoying life out west'". Irish Independent. 20 June 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2017.
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