Charlie Faumuina

Charles Chris Faumuina (born 24 December 1986) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a prop for Top 14 club Toulouse. Born in New Zealand, he represents Samoa at international level after qualifying on ancestry grounds.[1][2]

Charlie Faumuina
Faumuina representing Toulouse during the Top 14
Full nameCharles Chris Faumuina
Date of birth (1986-12-24) 24 December 1986
Place of birthAuckland, New Zealand
Height1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight127 kg (280 lb; 20 st 0 lb)
SchoolPapatoetoe High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Current team Toulouse
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007–2016 Auckland 50 (10)
2009–2017 Blues 99 (35)
2017− Toulouse 129 (5)
Correct as of 28 August 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007 New Zealand U21 1 (0)
2012–2017 New Zealand 50 (20)
2023– Samoa 3 (0)
Correct as of 28 August 2023

Club career

Faumuina was a late recruit to rugby union, and played only rugby league until selected for the Papatoetoe High School 1st XV rugby team.[3] His progress in rugby union was rapid and in 2007 he was selected to make his first-class rugby debut for the New Zealand Colts against Canada. The same year he made his debut for Auckland as a substitute against the Counties Manukau Steelers in the Air New Zealand Cup.[4] On 7 March 2009, Faumuina made his Super Rugby debut against the Sharks when international prop John Afoa was ruled out through injury.

In 2011, due to extended injury layoff to Tony Woodcock, Faumuina started the majority of games for the Blues in a successful season.

In 2012, Faumuina played 10 of the Blues first 11 games in the Super Rugby season and missed only the game against the Chiefs due to injury.[1]

Blues head coach at the time Pat Lam believed Faumuina, despite his size, has a dancer's agility. "He's a big man but his footwork is unbelievable, he's got footwork like a ballerina and I think it's a massive asset," said Lam.[1]

On 28 October 2016, it was announced Faumuina would join top French club Toulouse in the Top 14 for the 2017-18 season.[5]

International career

New Zealand

On 8 September 2012, he made his debut for the All Blacks as a substitute in the 73rd minute in a test against Argentina.

On 15 September 2014, he scored his first international try for the All Blacks in a 24–21 victory against England.

Faumuina was selected for the 2015 Rugby World Cup's 31-man All Black squad and played in many games including the knockout stages, where the squad made history as the first to retain their World Cup title, and the first to win three tournaments.

Samoa

Having not played international rugby for 3 years he became eligible to play for Manu Samoa. It was announced Faumuina had been selected as a substitute for the game against Japan being played at the Sapporo Stadium on 22 July 2023.[6] He came on as a substitute in the 52nd minute of the game, winning his first cap for Manu Samoa.[7] He then made the cut and was selected for the Manu Samoa Rugby World Cup 2023 squad to be played in France. [8]

References
  1. "Faumuina emerges as All Black contender". theblues.co.nz. Archived from the original on 12 February 2013.
  2. "Charlie Faumuina #1116". Stats.allblacks.com. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  3. "Charlie Faumuina - Auckland Team Player". Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 2022-04-20.
  4. Akers, CA & Miller, GD (2008). 74th Edition Sky Sport 2008 Rugby Almanack. Hodder Moa Books ISBN 978-1-86971-130-6
  5. "Toulouse sign All-Black prop Charlie Faumuina". Sky Sports. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 February 2017.
  6. "Former All Black Faumuina set for Manu Samoa debut". 1 News. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  7. "Japan vs Samoa | International | Latest Rugby Fixtures & Results | RUGBY.com.au". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  8. "Three former All Blacks in Samoa squad for Rugby World Cup". Supersport. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
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