Amanaki Lelei Mafi (born 11 January 1990) is a Tongan-born, Japanese professional rugby union player who currently plays as a number 8 for the Japanese Sunwolves, Japan national rugby union team and the Bath Rugby Union team for a short period of time.
| Date of birth | 11 January 1990 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Tofoa, Tonga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 189 cm (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 112 kg (17 st 9 lb; 247 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Tonga College 'Atele | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Hanazono University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Debut
editMafi represented Tonga U20 in the 2009 Junior World Cup, before moving to Hanazono University in Japan in 2010. After a breakout first season in the Top League for NTT Communications Shining Arcs, Mafi was named in both the Tonga and Japan squad for the 2014 November tests.[1] He opted to play for Japan though, and made an immediate impact which was noted as 'pretty special' by coach Eddie Jones.[2]
Mafi was then sidelined for eight months with a career-threatening dislocated hip injury but recovered just in time to make it back into the 2015 Rugby World Cup squad, where he again impressed. Following the 2015–16 Top League season, he moved to England to join for Bath on a short-term loan deal where he was described as a 'sensation',[3] However his stay was ended early in controversial circumstances following an altercation with the club's medical officer.[4]
Mafi made four appearances for Japan, including scoring two tries, at the 2015 Rugby World Cup and played an important role in the team's historical 34–32 win over the Springboks by providing the winning pass that secured the biggest upset of the tournament.
Career
editBefore Mafi's 2014 call up for the Brave Blossoms for his senior international debut against Romania he played in Japan's Kansai Collegiate Rugby Championships.
In 2016, Mafi joined Bath Rugby Team on a short-term contract and made immediate impact with four tries in his first four matches.
In August 2016 Mafi signed to join the Melbourne Rebels to train for the 2017 Super Rugby season.[5]
On November 19, 2016, Mafi won the Man of the Match award in Japan's 33–30 loss to Wales at the Principality Stadium in the Under Armour Autumn Series.
On May 30, 2017, Mafi was named to be in the Brave Blossoms Rugby Union team that represents Japan in international rugby union competitions.
In July 2018 Mafi was charged with assault with intent to injure after allegedly assaulting teammate Lopeti Timani at a party in Dunedin.[6] He was subsequently selected for the 2019 Rugby World Cup while still awaiting trial.[7] In December 2019 he pleaded guilty to assault, but avoided a conviction after paying Timani NZ$50,000.[8]
Super Rugby Statistics
edit| Season | Team | Games | Starts | Sub | Mins | Tries | Cons | Pens | Drops | Points | Yel | Red |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Rebels | 15 | 15 | 0 | 1168 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | Rebels | 15 | 15 | 0 | 1138 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 30 | 30 | 0 | 2306 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 0 | |
References
edit- ^ "Le dilemme d'Amanaki Lelei Mafi". Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- ^ "Goromaru's Boot Helps Japan Keep Win Streak Alive Vs. Romania". Archived from the original on 5 February 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- ^ "Bath Rugby sensation Amanaki Mafi wants to go back to Japan". Archived from the original on 14 May 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- ^ "Bath Rugby: Amanaki Mafi has left after an altercation with the club's medical chief". 16 May 2016.
- ^ Melbourne Rebels (4 August 2016). "Rebels secure marquee international No.8 Amanaki Mafi" (Press release). Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
- ^ "Former Super Rugby player pleads not guilty over teammate assault". Stuff. 11 September 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ "Amanaki Mafi set for controversial first appearance at Rugby World Cup in Japan". Stuff. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ "Mafi pleads guilty to Timani assault, makes $50,000 payment". Rugby.com.au. 17 December 2019. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ "Player Statistics". It's Rugby.
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