Chase Tiatia

Chase Tiatia (born 14 October 1995) is a rugby union player, who currently plays as a utility back for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition.[1] He has signed with the Western Force for the 2023 and 2024 Super Rugby season.[2] He was born and raised in New Zealand, but is eligible to represent Manu Samoa internationally due to his Samoan heritage.

Chase Tiatia
Full nameChase Jackson Tiatia
Date of birth (1995-10-14) 14 October 1995
Place of birthLower Hutt, New Zealand
Height181 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight93 kg (205 lb; 14 st 9 lb)
SchoolSt. Patrick's College Silverstream
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback, wing, midfield back
Current team Hawke's Bay, Western Force
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014 Wellington 3 (0)
2015–2021 Bay of Plenty 61 (110)
2017, 2021–2022 Chiefs 14 (20)
2019–2020 Hurricanes 16 (17)
2022– Hawke's Bay 21 (43)
2023– Western Force 14 (0)
Correct as of 21 October 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015 Samoa U20 5 (5)
Correct as of 6 June 2022

Early career

Born in Lower Hutt, Tiatia initially attended Hutt Valley High School before moving to St. Patrick's College Silverstream for his final 3 years of schooling between 2010 and 2013. While at St. Patrick's, he played first XV rugby and after graduation, he moved on to represent Wellington at under-19 level, helping them to win the first ever Jock Hobbs Memorial National Under-19 tournament in 2014. During his time in Wellington, he made a name for himself turning out for Hutt Old Boys-Marist in the Jubilee Cup Premier Division, Wellington's top club competition, where he finished as leading try scorer in 2014.[3]

Senior career

Tiatia got his first chance at provincial level with the Wellington Lions in 2014. It proved to be a difficult environment for a 19-year-old to get his first taste of rugby in, as the Lions – generally one of the competitions strongest sides – were relegated from the Premiership down to the Championship. Initially held back by a broken thumb, he went on to make 3 appearances during the campaign and was named as Wellington's most promising player, before heading north to join the Bay of Plenty Steamers for the 2015 ITM Cup.[4]

In Rotorua, Tiatia was reunited with former Wellington under-19s coach Clayton McMillan, now head coach of the Steamers. The move proved to be a fruitful one as he played in all 11 of Bay of Plenty's games in 2015 and netted 4 tries, which saw him win his province's rookie of the year and back of the year awards. An elbow injury restricted him to just 3 appearances in 2016 as the Steamers reached the Championship semi-finals before losing to Otago.[5][3]

After seven seasons playing for Bay of Plenty, Tiatia decided to move. On 29 June 2022, the Hawke's Bay Rugby Union announced that Tiatia had signed with the Hawke's Bay Magpies for the 2022 Bunnings NPC season.[6] He made his debut for the province on 6 August 2022 against Waikato.[7]

Super Rugby

Tiatia's excellent domestic form for the Bay of Plenty in 2015 brought him to the attention of New Zealand's Super Rugby franchises and he was subsequently named in the Chiefs squad for the 2016 Super Rugby season.[8] As a young back in a star studded line up, Tiatia's first season at Super Rugby level was largely one of learning and he didn't get on the field at all in 2016, with his year being ended early with an elbow injury. Despite this, head coach Dave Rennie retained him in the squad for 2017.[9][10]

International

Although born and raised in New Zealand, internationally Tiatia elected to represent the land of his ancestors, Samoa, at under 20 level. He was a member of their under-20 side which participated in the 2015 World Rugby Under 20 Championship where he scored 1 try in 5 appearances.[11]

References
  1. "2023 Magpies squad release". Hawke's Bay Rugby Union. 5 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  2. "X factor Tiatia signs with the Force". Hawke's Bay Rugby Union (Press release). 29 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  3. "Chase Tiatia Chiefs Player Profile". Chiefs Rugby. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  4. "Chase Tiatia leaves Wellington for two-year deal with Bay of Plenty". Stuff.co.nz. 21 April 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  5. "Chase Tiatia itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  6. "Chase Tiatia signs with the Magpies for 2022". Hawke's Bay Rugby Union (Press release). 29 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  7. "Hawke's Bay Magpies poised for NPC season 'legacy'". Hawke's Bay Today. 5 August 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2022.
  8. "Chiefs 2016 Squad Guide" (PDF). All Blacks Rugby. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
  9. "Chiefs 2017 Squad Guide" (PDF). All Blacks.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 May 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  10. "Chiefs suffer injury blows as Glen Fisiiahi and Johan Bardoul ruled out for season". Rugby Heaven. 10 June 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  11. "Chase Tiatia enjoying his rugby with Bay of Plenty". Club Rugby.co.nz. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
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