Karl Haitana

Karl Haitana is a rugby union player born in Marton, New Zealand on 29 March 1984. He has represented New Zealand at international level at a number of age groups and currently plays for English side Tunbridge Wells RFC as a Prop.[1]

Karl Haitana
Birth nameKarl Haitana
Date of birth (1984-03-29) 29 March 1984
Place of birthMarton, New Zealand
SchoolPalmerston North Boys' High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Current team Tunbridge Wells
Youth career
  Hurricanes
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2005-2008
2008
2009-2010
2010
2013
2014-		 North Harbour
Manawatu Turbos
Northland
Manawatu Turbos
Blackrock College
Tunbridge Wells		 ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
  New Zealand Schools
New Zealand U-19
New Zealand U-21

Career

Haitana started playing rugby while at Palmerston North Boys' High School, where he was selected to play for the Hurricanes Schools.[2][3] In 2005, Haitana started to play for North Harbour Rugby Union. In 2008 Haitana started to play for Manawatu Turbos however he was injured while playing for them. During recovery Haitana was approached in 2009 to play for Northland Rugby Union in the Air New Zealand Cup by his former All Black under 21 coach Bryce Woodward.[4][5] During his time with Northland, he was popular due his facial hair and mullet, which he grew and later had removed for a charity.[6] In 2010, Haitana left Northland to return to Manawatu Turbos however after a second hamstring injury, he was released by Manuwatu. After a few years, Haitana played a few games for Freyberg in Palmerston North before being signed by Irish club Blackrock College RFC in 2013.[2] In 2014, Haitana signed with English team Tunbridge Wells RFC.[1]

International career

While at school, Haitana was selected to play for the New Zealand national schoolboy rugby union team.[2] He has also been selected to play for the New Zealand national under-19 rugby union team.[3] Haitana was also selected for the New Zealand national under-21 rugby union team in the 2004 Under 21 Rugby World Championship[3] and the 2005 Under 21 Rugby World Championship.[7]

References
  1. "Wells in testing start". Courier. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  2. Peter Lampp (5 July 2013). "Haitana scores Dublin contract". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  3. Lamp, Peter (17 March 2010). "Haitana returns to fill gap for Manawatu". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  4. "Air NZ Cup preview. North Harbour v Northland". NZRU. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  5. "Haitana has a point to prove". NZ Herald. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  6. "Haitana: our new pin-up". NZ Herald. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  7. "New Zealand U21 60-15 Wales U21". BBC Sport. 10 June 2005. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.