Taleni Seu

Taleni Seu (born 26 December 1993) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Japan Rugby League One club Toyota Shuttles. Born in New Zealand, he represents Samoa at international level after qualifying on ancestry grounds.[1][2][3][4]

Taleni Seu
Seu representing Samoa during the November Internationals
Date of birth (1993-12-26) 26 December 1993
Place of birthAuckland, New Zealand
Height2.02 m (6 ft 8 in)
Weight109 kg (240 lb; 17 st 2 lb)
SchoolOnehunga High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker, Number 8, Lock
Current team Toyota Shuttles
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2018 Auckland 21 (25)
2016–2019 Chiefs 44 (20)
2019– Toyota Shuttles 7 (10)
2023 Waratahs 13 (10)
Correct as of 28 August 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2022– Samoa 6 (5)
Correct as of 28 August 2023

Early life

Born in Auckland and raised in Māngere, Seu attended school at Onehunga High School in the city's suburbs where he played first XV rugby as well as playing for the school's basketball team. After graduating from high school, he joined the Auckland academy and went on to play for them at under-18, under-19 and 'B' level while playing his club rugby for Grammar TEC.[2][4][5]

Club career

Despite originally not being named in the Auckland squad for the 2015 ITM Cup, Seu was called up as injury cover and managed to force his way into the team over the course the season. He made 8 appearances and scored 2 tries in his side's run to the Premiership final where they narrowly lost to Canterbury. A full squad member in 2016, he made a further 7 Mitre 10 Cup appearances what turned out to be a disappointing campaign overall for Auckland, which ended up with them finishing outside of the play-off places, in 5th position. It was announced in April 2019 that Taleni will be joining Waikato in the Mitre 10 Cup in the 2019 season.[3][6][7]

An impressive debut season in provincial rugby was enough to earn Seu a Super Rugby contract with the Hamilton-based Chiefs for the 2016 Super Rugby season. He enjoyed plenty of game time in his first year in Hamilton, playing in all 17 of the Chiefs games and scoring 2 tries as they reached the competition's semi-finals before going down 25-9 to the Hurricanes.[8] He was retained in the squad for 2017.[1]

Career statistics

Club summary
As of 9 December 2016[3]
SeasonTeamGamesStartsSubMinsTriesConsPensDropsPointsYelRed
2016Chiefs1712598820001000
Total1712598820001000

References
  1. "Chiefs 2017 Squad Guide" (PDF). All Blacks.com. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  2. "Taleni Seu Chiefs Player Profile". Chiefs Rugby. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  3. "Taleni Seu itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  4. "Taleni Seu Auckland Player Profile". Auckland Rugby. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  5. "From struggle street to a chance at Super Rugby for Taleni Seu". Rugby Heaven. 5 February 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  6. "Rugby: Auckland ITM Cup squad has young, vibrant look". New Zealand Herald. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  7. "Auckland names talented Mitre 10 Cup squad". New Zealand Herald. 18 July 2016. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  8. "Chiefs 2016 Squad Guide" (PDF). All Blacks Rugby. Retrieved 29 October 2015.
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