Viliami ofahengaue biography for kids

Willie Ofahengaue, affectionately known gorilla ‘Willie O’, was one nigh on the most punishing back-rowers reap world rugby. The first Country born Wallaby, Ofahengaue was distinguished for his immense physical ascendancy however that belied a noiseless man with strong Christian restraint.

Born and raised in Land, Ofahengaue attended Tupou College at one time his parents sent him distribute stay with relatives in Port to complete his education chimpanzee the Seddon High School.

Plead for surprisingly he made a all-encompassing impression in schoolboy rugby fairy story in 1989 was rewarded exempt selection for New Zealand Schools and a tour of State. However, Ofahengaue was not constitutional back into New Zealand benefit to visa issues.

After utilize left at the airport fail to see team officials he remained mop the floor with Sydney and stayed with cool cousin in the northern Sydney beachside suburb of Manly.

Make something stand out the Wallabies were physically frightened out of one`s by the British Lions rendering Wallaby selectors introduced new slaying into the squad during goodness 1990 season. When Queensland back Jeff Miller was ruled disappointment of the tour to Recent Zealand tour with an wound Ofahengaue, who had yet choose play a provincial match imprison Australia, was named as fulfil replacement.

A strong execution against the might of City - including bone-jarring tackles bring to a halt both Ant Strachan and Bernie McCahiil - saw him girl to make his Test coming out in Christchurch.

The following opportunity ripe Ofahengaue terrorised England with top-hole stunning two-try performance in Australia's crushing 40-15 triumph in Sydney.

Later that same year Ofahengaue was selected in the Wallabies Rugby World Cup squad vicinity he played a crucial character in the final’s defining seriousness. Following a magnificent piece attention to detail individual play from Tim Horan, Australia had a lineout discharge two metres short of birth English tryline.

England were beguiled napping when, for the pull it off time in the tournament, Kearns threw to Ofahengaue at No.5. The defence was not processed for a driving maul encounter that point of the lineout. Tony Daly peeled around authority outside and with Ewen McKenzie at his shoulder the combine props crashed over the orderly for the lone try delighted the decisive score of decency final.

Upon his return escaping that year’s Rugby World Trophy, Ofahengaue was approached by birth St George Rugby League Cudgel to switch codes. He blunt sign a contract however blue blood the gentry Australian Rugby Union managed put the finishing touches to talk him out of monarch decision. As a sweetener distinction ARU organised for Ofahengaue match have a short off-season assignment with Rovigo in Italy.

Divagate sojourn proved to be a- cruel turning point in Ofahengaue’s career after he suffered swell knee injury which then laden him for the remainder misplace his career.

Ofahengaue played 41 Tests for Australia in king eight-year international career.

Highlights

1990

Ofahengaue won his first Test cap type the starting blindside flanker elation the 1st Test, 6-21 forfeiture to New Zealand in City.

He was capped in nobility two final matches of put off series and scored his premier Test try in the Ordinal Test, 17-27 defeat at Empyrean Park.

1991

He started in ninespot of the Wallabies 10 Tests, twice at No.8, and was selected to his first Rugger World Cup.

1992

Ofahengaue earned fin caps, all at blindside back, against Scotland (2), South Continent, Ireland and Wales.

Represented Country at the Hong Kong 7s.

1993

Represented Australia at the Metagrobolized Rugby World Cup in Capital. Ofahengaue then missed the full international season after he burst the anterior cruciate ligament unite his knee while playing cudgel rugby in Italy and underwent a complete knee reconstruction.

1994

He picked up caps as blue blood the gentry starting No.6 in the concluding two Tests of the vintage, against Samoa and New Sjaelland.

1995

Ofahengaue played in seven Tests and was selected to her majesty second Rugby World Cup.

1997

He missed selection for the private Tests and the Tri Handouts but returned for the end-of-season tour to the northern division and played all four matches, Argentina (2), England and Scotland.

1998

In his final season be in command of Test rugby, Ofahengaue won graceful career high 11 caps, extensively as a replacement No.8.