Personal information
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Born |
Nuku'alofa, Tonga |
17 January 1987 ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 105 kg (16 st 7 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information
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Position | Second-row, Loose forward, Prop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 19 October 2017
Source:
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Ukuma Ta'ai (born 17 January 1987) is a Tongan professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Huddersfield Giants in the Super League. His usual position is at Second Row but he can play at Prop.
Ta'ai was educated at Tonga College and originally played rugby union.
When he moved to Auckland, New Zealand, Ta'ai played for the University club and made the Auckland Rugby Union second XV.
The following year, at the suggestion of a friend, he switched codes and joined the Mt Albert Rugby League Club and played in the Auckland Rugby League competition. In 2008 he played for the Auckland Vulcans in the NSW Cup.
Ta'ai played rugby union on Fridays for Tonga College and played rugby league on Saturdays for his home village club, the Fuekafa of Te'ekiu.
Ta'ai was signed by the New Zealand Warriors in 2009 and made his début in a trial game against the North Queensland Cowboys. He made his first grade début in Round Two 2009 against the Manly Sea Eagles. Ta'ai scored the Warriors first try against Penrith on 17 April after pouncing on a loose pass and crossing under the sticks.
He re-signed with the Warriors for the 2012 season but was told he would be released by the club at the end of the year.
On 12 September 2012 Ta'ai signed with Huddersfield Giants until 2015. His transfer was held up by red tape, until in January 2013 he was granted a British work permit. He scored his first try against Hull F.C. on 7 July 2013.