Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu

Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu

South Africa vs Samoa at 2011 Rugby World Cup
Date of birth	(1980-10-31) 31 October 1980
Place of birth	Apia, Samoa
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	102 kg (225 lb)
School	Auckland Boys Grammar School(A.G.S)
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position	Centre, Fly half
Professional / senior clubs
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
2006–2009 2009–2012 2012–	Bath Rugby Gloucester Rugby Coca Cola West Red Sparks	43 54	(15) (30)
National team(s)
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
2005–2011	Samoa	23	(15)

Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu (born 31 October 1980 in Apia, Samoa) is a Samoan rugby union footballer. He is a centre who can also play at fly half. He currently plays for Coca Cola West Red Sparks in the Japanese Top League.

Fuimaono-Sapolu first played club rugby as a junior for Manurewa RFC in South Auckland, New Zealand. His coach Gary Healey commented "Eli didn't need much coaching. He was a naturally gifted player who could read the game. His commitment, discipline and sheer exuberance showed at an early age, and he was clearly destined for higher honours".

Fuimaono-Sapolu moved to England in January 2006, signed by Bath Rugby after outstanding performances in the internationals against Scotland (his international debut) and England. He had initially been signed as a temporary replacement to cover for the players playing in the Six Nations Championship, but soon his contract was made permanent. Since arriving at Bath he has won the approval of many fans due to his exciting running and quick hands.

More recently he displayed his all round ability in back play at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, in which he represented Samoa playing out of position at fly-half. Although his side lost to England, South Africa and – surprisingly – Tonga while beating only the USA in the pool stages of the tournament, Fuimaono-Sapolu was one of the standout performers.

In the summer of 2009 Fuimaono-Sapolu left Bath to join Gloucester Rugby on a one-year contract that was later extended for two further seasons. In 2011 Eliota completed a wonderful season by sweeping up all the club's major awards at the end of Season prize giving. He won Player of the year, Try of the Year, Player's Player of the year and Season Ticket Holder's Player of the year. In March 2012, it was announced Sapolu would leave Gloucester to sign with Japanese side Coca Cola West Red Sparks on a two-year contract.

In 2011 he was shortlisted by the Rugby Players' Association for their Players' Player of the Year award alongside Chris Ashton, Chris Budgen, Nick Evans, Thomas Waldrom and Tom Wood.

During the 2011 Rugby World Cup Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu made a Twitter post linking the scheduling of the world cup to slavery, the holocaust and apartheid, after Samoa had 3 days to prepare for their match against Wales, while Wales had a week to prepare. Officials that met with the Samoa team management accepted an official apology and decided that no further action was necessary. Later in the tournament when Samoa lost to South Africa Fuimaono Sapolu tweeted that referee Nigel Owens was "racist" and "biased", which resulted in him being suspended from rugby for six months. However, this punishment is suspended for two years.

Fuimaono-Sapolu has been openly critical of the sporting elite and racism, saying their attitude "buys into the narrative of the savage Polynesian". Critical of the IRB handling of his comments in 2011 he said they just wouldn't tolerate a Polynesian speaking up. "I got smashed by the IRB - it was absolutely the corporate hammer coming down."

Fuimaono-Sapolu has worked extensively to broaden popular knowledge of the contribution of Pacific Island culture and science. He moved to Samoa where he works on raising awareness of domestic abuse and misogynistic attitudes.

External links

• ESPN Scrum Profile