Frank-Paul Nu'uausala

Frank-Paul Nu'uausala (born 13 February 1987), also known by the nicknames of "Frank Paul the Wrecking Ball" or "Frank the tank",[3] is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer. A New Zealand international representative forward, Nu'uausala most notably played for the Sydney Roosters with whom he won the 2013 NRL Premiership.

Frank-Paul Nu'uausala
Personal information
Born (1987-02-13) 13 February 1987
Auckland, New Zealand
Height184 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight109 kg (17 st 2 lb)
Playing information
PositionProp, Lock, Second-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2007–14 Sydney Roosters 153 15 0 0 60
2015–16 Canberra Raiders 31 1 0 0 4
2016–17 Wigan Warriors 47 2 0 0 8
2018 Sydney Roosters 2 0 0 0 0
Total 233 18 0 0 72
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2009–13 New Zealand 15 5 0 0 20
Source: [1][2]
As of 3 March 2018

Background

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Nu'uausala comes from a large family of 6 sisters and 6 brothers, he is the fifth eldest and is of Chinese, Samoan and Solomon Islander descent.[4]

Nu'uausala has played rugby league since the age of 5, originally with Mangere East Hawks. Nu'uausala played for the Otahuhu-Ellerslie Leopards in the 2004 Bartercard Cup and toured England with New Zealand 'A'.[5] Nu'uausala was signed by the New Zealand Warriors when he was 14 and played in their lower grades until 2006 when he was cut by incoming coach Ivan Cleary.[6] Nu'uausala later signed with the Sydney Roosters.

Playing career

2007

In round 7 of the 2007 NRL season against the Parramatta Eels, Nu’uausala made his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters of the interchange bench in the Roosters 16-36 loss at SFS.[7] Nu’uausala finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 3 matches for the Roosters in the 2007 NRL season.

2008

In round 5 against the Penrith Panthers, Nu’uausala first match for the Roosters in 2008, scoring his first NRL career try in the Roosters 28-12 win at Penrith Stadium.[8] Nu’uausala finished the 2008 NRL season with him playing 11 matches and scoring a try for the Roosters.

2009

Nu’uausala cemented a spot in the forwards in the Roosters squad playing in 24 matches for the Roosters in the 2009 NRL season as the club finished last on the table for the first time since 1966. Nu'uausala was named in the New Zealand national rugby league team squad for the 2009 Four Nations. Nu'uausala made his international test debut against Australia, scoring a try in the 20-20 draw against Australia at The Stoop.[9][10]

2010

For the 2010 Anzac Test, Nu'uausala was selected to play for New Zealand at prop in the Kiwis 12-8 loss against Australia at AAMI Park.[11] In Round 12 against the Gold Coast Titans, Nu’uausala scored a double in the Roosters 30-16 win at Robina Stadium.[12] On 3 October 2010, in the Roosters 2010 NRL Grand Final against the St George Illawarra Dragons, Nu’uausala played off the interchange bench in the Roosters 32-8 loss.[13][14] Nu’uausala finished the 2010 NRL season with him playing in all the Roosters 28 matches and scoring 7 tries. On 5 October 2010, Nu’uausala was selected in the New Zealand 2010 Four Nations squad,[15] playing in 4 matches including playing the interchange bench in the Kiwis 16-12 Four Nations Final victory over Australia at Suncorp Stadium.[16]

2011

Nu’uausala finished the 2011 NRL season with him playing in 19 matches and scoring 4 tries for the Roosters as the club missed out on the finals after finishing 11th on the table.

2012

Nu’uausala finished the 2012 NRL season with him playing in 19 matches and scoring 2 tries for the Roosters as the side missed out on the finals for a second consecutive year.

Nu'uausala during 2013 World Cup

2013

On 9 July 2013, Nu’uausala extended his contract for a further two years, keeping him at the club till the end of the 2015 NRL season.[17] On 6 October 2013, Nu'uausala won the 2013 NRL Grand Final with the Roosters.[18][19] Nu’uausala finished the 2013 NRL season with playing in 23 matches for the Roosters. Nu'uausala was selected in the New Zealand 2013 World Cup squad, playing in 5 matches and scoring 3 tries including in a double in the Kiwis 48-0 victory over France at Parc des Sports.[20] Nu'uausala played off the interchange bench in the Kiwis 34-2 loss to Australia in the World Cup final at Old Trafford.[21]

2014

In the Roosters 2014 World Club Challenge match against 2013 Super League champions the Wigan Warriors, Nu’uausala played at lock in the Roosters 36-14 victory SFS.[22] In Round 25 against the Melbourne Storm at SFS, Nu’uausala played up his 150th NRL career match in the Roosters 24-12 win.[23] Nu’uausala finished off the 2014 NRL season with him playing in 26 matches and scoring a try for the Roosters. On 3 December 2014, Nu'uausala signed a three-year contract with the Canberra Raiders starting in 2015 after being released from the final year of his Roosters contract.[24][25]

2015

In round 1 of the 2015 NRL season against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Nu’uausala made his club debut for the Canberra Raiders off the interchange bench in the Raiders 24-20 win at Remondis Stadium.[26] In Round 7 against the Wests Tigers, he scored his first try for the Raiders in their 30-22 comeback win at Leichhardt Oval.[27] He finished off his first season with the Raiders having played in all 24 matches and scoring 1 try.[28]

2016

On 24 June 2016, it was announced that Nu’uausala signed a three-year deal with the Wigan Warriors in the Super League. Nu’uausala joined the club with immediate effect and is expected to arrive in the next few weeks once he receives his visa. Wigan coach Shaun Wane said: "Frank-Paul is exactly the kind of player we want at Wigan". "He's a very tough player who really throws himself into the action and is used to winning". "He's also very experienced having played in the World Cup final, the Australian Grand Final and the World Club Challenge". "We’ve not had much luck with injuries this year and this signing is exactly the kind of boost we need, at this time, as we look to mount a serious challenge for trophies". "The Wigan fans are really going to enjoy watching Frank-Paul play for us." Nuuausala said: "I’ve achieved everything that I can in my career in the NRL and, whilst still in my prime as a prop-forward, want to experience the challenge of Super League. "It would be great to win the Grand Final over there as well and the Challenge Cup at Wembley and joining a strong and successful club like Wigan gives me that best opportunity. "I’m looking forward to pulling on the famous cherry-and-white jersey for the first time and playing in the uniquely passionate environment of rugby league in England."[29] Nu’uausala played in 7 matches for the Raiders in the 2016 NRL season. On his home debut for the Warriors he was sin-binned against their old rivals St Helens which immediately made him a crowd favourite.

His running game and powerful tackles helped Wigan lift the 2016 Super League Grand Final trophy with victory over the Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford.[30]

2017

Nu'uausala starred in the World Club Championship win over the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks becoming one of only a handful of players who have won the trophy with two clubs in England and Australia.

He played in the 2017 Challenge Cup Final defeat by Hull F.C. at Wembley Stadium.[31]

2018

Nu'uausala re-joined the Sydney Roosters on a one year deal after being released from his contract at Wigan. On 22 August, it was announced that Nu'uausala would be retiring at the end of the 2018 season.[32]

References
  1. loverugbyleague
  2. "Frank-Paul Nu'uausala - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  3. Balym, Todd (4 April 2009). "Fat-free Frank-Paul ready to fire". The Age. Melbourne.
  4. Jamie Pandaram (23 July 2010). "Frank-Paul Nu'uausala speaks about his gang background". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  5. Coffey, John and Bernie Wood Auckland, 100 years of rugby league, 1909-2009, 2009. ISBN 978-1-86969-366-4, p.341.
  6. "League: Warriors reject who battled back - Rugby League - NZ Herald News". Nzherald.co.nz. 11 October 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  7. "Wing jeered as Eels ruffle feathers". smh.com.au. 23 June 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  8. "Roosters outclass Panthers 28-12 - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events". Fanatics. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  9. "BBC SPORT | Rugby League | Australia 20-20 New Zealand". BBC News. 24 October 2009. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  10. Barrett, Chris (21 September 2010). "The wooden spoon to premier gold? Roosters run recalls league history". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  11. "Kangaroos v New Zealand Trans-Tasman Test at AAMI Park in Melbourne". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  12. "Roosters crow in 30-16 win over Titans - NRL.com". M.nrl.com. 31 May 2010. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  13. "Roosters Lead the Dragons 8-6 at Half Time in the NRL Grand Final". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  14. Glenn Jackson (4 October 2010). "St George Illawarra Dragons | NRL | Premiership". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  15. Johnstone, Duncan (5 October 2010). "Kiwi squad for Four Nations announced". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  16. "Kangaroos v New Zealand Trans-Tasman Test at AAMI Park in Melbourne". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  17. "Roosters re-sign the 'Wrecking Ball'". Brisbanetimes.com.au. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  18. "Roosters v Sea Eagles Grand Final". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  19. "NRL Grand Final player ratings". NRL.com. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  20. "Shaun Johnson Stars as New Zealand Hand France 48-0 Hiding at Rugby League World Cup". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  21. "World Cup final player ratings". NRL.com. 1 December 2013. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  22. Michael Chammas (22 February 2014). "World Club Challenge: Roosters run riot in title win over Wigan". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  23. "Roostersd SEcond Half Surge Enough to End Storm's Top Four Hopes". Heraldsun.com.au. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  24. "Frank-Paul Nuuausala Leaves Sydney Roosters for Canberra". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  25. "Frank-Paul Nuuausala Released from Roosters Contract to Join Raiders". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  26. "Sharks v Raiders; Cronulla a Long Way off the Pace in Loss to Canberra". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  27. "Raiders Post 30 Unanswered Points on Wests Tigers for Stunning Win". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  28. "Frank-Paul Nu'uausala - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  29. "Wigan Warriors sign Raiders prop Frank-Paul Nuuausala". 23 June 2016.
  30. "Warrington 6-12 Wigan: Super League Grand Final – as it happened!". The Guardian. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  31. "Hull FC 18-14 Wigan recap as the Black and Whites claim back-to-back Challenge Cup triumphs". Daily Mirror. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  32. "Nu'uausala to retire at seasons end". www.abc.net.au. 22 August 2018.
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