Rugby News

Most Recent Update: December 6, 2012

Friday December 9 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm Maui Rugby to co-host Hawaii Youth Rugby organizational meeting at
Kihei Youth Center

Saturday December 10 from 9:00 am to Noon Rugby Fun Day for the entire County of Maui at Kihei Youth Center field

December 3, 2011
USA Rugby sent U20 National Team Coach Jayson Kelly to Hawaii from its headquarters in Colorado to search for talent for the National Teams. Kelly evaluated athletes during a Neighbor Islands v Oahu High School & U20 All Stars trial match yesterday in Waikiki. Among those selected for the National Team Camps for 2012 were Maui Rugby members Vili Nakasamai Toluta'u (High School All Americans) and Solomone Anitema (U20) shown here with Coach Kelly in red Kona Coach John Nuualiitia (left) and Maui Coach Jack Breen. Anitema (left) scored the lone try for Neighbor Islands who won 13 - 5.

Toluta'u (Baldwin Class of 2012) and Anitema (Maui High 2011, currently studying Administration of Criminal Justice at Snow College in Utah) join Pila Taufa (Lahainaluna 2007, currently a USA Tomahawk on his way to a Rugby-as-a-profession program at St. Gregory's College in Australia) and Simione Vehikite (Lahainaluna then Kapolei 2009, currently studying Sociology and Art while playing linebacker for the USC football Trojans) as athletes who have been chosen for USA Rugby Age/Grade National Teams from the Maui Rugby teen program, Mana O Maui. Taufa was a USA Rugby U20 National Team member and played for the USA against Canada before the High School All American Team was created and has gone on to represent the USA at the top level of International play against Canada, Jamaica and South Africa and is a member of the USA Tomahawks squad that qualified the USA for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup just recently. Vehikite was a member of the first USA Rugby High School All-Americans but did not play in any matches due to his having accepted a football scholarship before the International Season.

October 23, 2011 USA Tomahawks Win Rugby League World Cup Qualifier, by defeating Jamaica 40 - 4 with our own Pila Taufa playing wing and Coach Jack serving as the National Team Manager.

October 15, 2011, USA Tomahawks open Rugby League World Cup Qualifier with 40-4 win over South
Africa, Maui Rugby's own Pila Taufa scores the first try for the USA.

October 8 2011. Highlights include: Rugby League World Cup Qualifier, October 15 - 23 will include members of Maui Rugby, Maui to play in December Rugby 7s Tournament on Oahu.

Pila Taufa Josh Rice

The 30 man roster for the Rugby League World Cup Qualifier Atlantic Zone Tournament kicking off next week includes Maui Rugby members Sione "Pila" Taufa, Josh Rice, Jayson Rego, Kelly McGill and Mike Tuala is listed as an injured reserve who is day to day. Taufa and Rice are on the 20 man roster for the first game against South Africa Rhinos on October 15.

Coach Jack Breen is also headed to the RLWCQ as the USA Tomahawks Team Manager. He and the players fly out on Tuesday.

Maui Rugby offers best wishes to the entire USA Tomahawks National Team and its Coaching and Professional Staff as they make their bid for the USA to qualify for our first ever Rugby League World Cup Tournament at the 14th RLWC which will be held in England and Wales in 2013.

* Maui Rugby's High Performance Training at 5:00 am paid off as more Maui players named to USA National Team

        Kelly McGill,         Josh Rice,               Jayson Rego                                   Touanga Talakai
      Earned 3rd Cap, 2 caps v Canada, made his debut in Toronto,             Debuted v Canada in Philadelphia

USA Tomahawks, with help from 3 Maui Rugby members, moved one step closer to their goal of qualifying for the Rugby League World Cup in London 2013 wwinning the Colonial Cup over Canada Wolverines. The USA won the first game in the Cup 18 - 2 in hurricane conditions in Philadelphia and held off a strong bid by Canada to rest the Cup from the Americans in Toronto when the Wolverines pulled of an upset in the second round in Toronto 16-18. The Colonial Cup remained with the USA on combined points differential, 34 -20. Check out the full stories at www.amnrl.com and wearerugby.com.

* Maui Rugby has accepted an invitation to send a 7s team to the Hawaii Islanders Rugby 7s Tournament on Oahu in December 16-17, 2011. A pledge of sponsorship has been made to cover the cost of the team entry fee.
Players seeking to make the 12 man tournament team must make 5:30 pm Thursday practices in Lahaina.
Check back for more details as registration is due to be completed by the end of September.

Prior Updates:

Updated August 4, 2011
AMNRL Hawaii Expansion, RLWCQ & Season Abroad for Bloomfield.

                                                                                                          Maui U21 Nella Bloomfield spent a season in Australia

*      AMNRL Hawaii was formed with the help of Maui Rugby Org and created the new Pacific Conference of AMNRL.
       There are 5 teams in AMNRL Hawaii: Marist Hawaii, Hawaii Islanders, Honolulu Titans, Kalihi Raiders and Maui
       Crusaders. The Pacific Conference also presently includes the Utah Avalanche.
       For more details about the AMNRL see www.amnrl.com

       AMNRL Hawaii play kicked off on June 25, 2011 with a very tight match between Marist and Islanders, in which
       Jerimia Lafi of Marist earned the distinction of being the first try scorer in the history of Rugby League in Hawaii.

       AMNRL Hawaii, with the help of Maui Rugby Org founder Jack Breen who spent 7 weeks on Oahu to help Rugby
       League get started, completed 7 rounds of play on Oahu, including a National Team Trial that was attended by NRL
       Head Coach Matty Elliott and AMNRL founder and President David Niu. AMNRL Hawaii also held a Referee clinic
       presented by Mr. Rob Irwin, who flew in from New York where he serves as the Director of the Rugby League
   Referees Society for the USA. Three referees were certified by AMNRL, including Mr. Rob Marsom, who was the
       top graduate of the class and has now officiated 5 of the 7 AMNRL Hawaii games and was formally evaluated as a
       Superior First Year Referee by a member of the ARL Referee Evaluation Panel, Mr. Ron Pearce, who traveled here
       from Australia to assist AMNRL Hawaii in its formative season.

       Marist proved to be the dominant team on Oahu, amassing a 4-0 record in the first 4 rounds of
       play before the first Inter-Island match of the season. Then our Maui Crusaders made their debut on Oahu against
       Marist at the USA Tomahawks Trial Match held on July 16, 2011. Led by our own USA Tomahawks, Pila Taufa, Vaka
       Manupuna, Andrew Malafu and Mike Tuala, Maui romped to a 22-10 victory.

       Malafu accounted for 2 of the 4 tries, Taufa 1 and all 4 successful conversions, and U19 Solo Anitema, who has been
       named to the U21 All America Team, scored the other try.Touanga Talakai and Mone Mamao, also played very well
       and have been named the USA Tomahawks Pool.

       Three other Maui players also did very well at the Trials and were named to the All Hawaii Team pool. They are
       Maika Latu, Dr. Joe Jeppson, and Peni Fiuangaihetau.

       Two Maui native sons presently living on Oahu played with the Crusaders at the Trials and were also named to the
       USA Tomahawks Pool, Jayson Rego, who recently graduated from UH where he was a running back with the
       Warriors Football Team, and long time member of MRO Ikavalu Sake.

       It was agreed by all present that as well as Maui played it was not a fair test of the relative strength of our team
       against Marist, who is now playing in the USA Rugby Club National Championships of Rugby Sevens, because
       Marist had to participate in the Oahu 7s Tournament earlier the same day. So, their request for a rematch has been
       honored by the Crusaders and we are now waiting to hear from Marist as to when they can come to Maui for the
       rematch. The Crusaders have promised that if Marsit comes to Maui the Crusaders will return again to Oahu for a
       third match with Marist this season to determine the AMNRL Hawaii Champion by a best of 3 series.

*     The USA Tomahawks are presently preparing for their attempt to qualify for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup in
       London at the Atlantic Region Qualifier in Philadelphia in October of 2011 in which South Africa and Jamaica will also
       be competing for the one open spot in the RLWC.

       The Tomahawks will play two Test Matches against Canada before meeting South Africa on October 15. The first
       match against Canada will be in Philadelphia on August 27 and the second will be in Toronto on September 17.

       Those named to the National Team Pool from Hawaii are currently waiting to see who is called up for the two Canada
       games that will serve as additional Trials for the RLWCQ.

*      Taniela Bloomfield became the fourth player from Maui Rugby to spend a Season Abroad and the first to spend a
        season in Australia. Thanks to the Noosa Pirates and their Coach Dane Campbell, Nela learned a great deal about
        Rugby League and had a whale of a time playing with the Pirates. Nela is expected home any day now and we look
        forward to his sharing with us some of the things he learned down under. Noose was so pleased with Nela's work
        ethic that they are presently considering extending the opportunity to 3 players from Hawaii to spend a season with
        them next year.

Updated March 2011

Coach Jack Breen has become a member of the USA Tomahawks National Team Coaching Staff as an Assistant Coach / Manager. This will make it possible for more trials and major rugby events to be held in Hawaii, which will give more players in Hawaii the opportunity to try out for the National Team Assemblies where the Tomahawks are chosen for their international matches and more opportunities for seasons abroad.

Las Vegas once again proved in 2011 that rugby is now a major sport in the USA, that is able to generate in excess of $10 million in economic impact for a community willing to invest its time and talents to supporting a major rugby event. The 2011 Las Vegas Rugby 7s saw a paid attendance on the final day of its 4 day event of 25,036 fans in the UNLV football stadium, and an economic impact of $17 million for its community this year, up from $10 million and around 20,000 paid fans in 2010.

It was great to see our own Pila Taufa wearing a "competitor" set of credentials on the pitch and now that he has healed from the minor injury that kept him from playing in Las Vegas we are anxiously awaiting the announcement of the USA Team for the Rugby 7s in Hong Kong, as Pila is in the pool of players for that stage of the World Series of Rugby 7s and is reportedly a very likely selection for Hong Kong.

Pila Taufa and Vaka Manupuna, both Maui Rugby Org members contributed significantly to the success of the USA Tomahawks, the National Team for Rugby League in the USA during the Atlantic Cup matches against Jamaica and Canada in December and we are hopeful that more contributions of that caliber will be made by players from Maui and the rest of Hawaii as we go forward. Pila's excellent play in the Atlantic Cup matches got him the notice he needed to gain an invitation to the USA Rugby 7s Pool for the Wellington and Las Vegas Stages of the World Series of Rugby 7s, and his play in the pool events has him well on his way to playing in Hong Kong and landing an invitation to the National Team Assembly for the 2011 RWC, to which a fellow Maui Rugby Org member, Andrew Telu Malafu, is also expected to receive an invitation based on the strong showing he is making during his third season abroad in England.

Maui Rugby Org is now the recognized affiliate of the American National Rugby League in Hawaii at the men's professional level of rugby, as well as remaining the recognized affiliate of USA Rugby in Maui County at the youth, teen university, and adult level of the sports of Rugby Union and Rugby 7s for boys, girls, men and women.

Our condolences go out to the family of Rev. Kehe Malafu. Due to all of the mourning and obligations of his very large extended family, many of whom are players and/or supporters of Maui Rugby Org, only abrieviated practices were held this week. We hope that a practice can be held with scrimmages on Saturday at 3 pm at Lahaina Field but will understand if the funeral related activities make it impossible for many of our teammates to attend.

2010 was a great year for rugby in the world generally and in the USA, Hawaii and on Maui more specifically. Here are a few highlights.

* IOC votes Rugby 7s into the Olympics, starting with the Summer Games of 2016 in Rio DeJenerio.
* Maui Rugby anticipates this by announcing the creation of Maui Olympic Development Academy and Conventions
* Professional Rugby Clubs recognize Polynesian players on their sides helps success, 65% new player Polynesians
* Maui Rugby anticipates this by placing two players in the UK with a developmental club for major UK professional clubs
* Andrew Malafu earns a trial with London Scottish FC and does so well he is invited back for the clubs final trials
* David Niu, Head Coach of USA Tomahawks offers and opportunity to two Maui players to play for our country
* Pila Taufa plays magnificently for USA Tomahawks who defeat Jamaica and Canada, and scores a brilliant try
* Vaka Manupuna, formerly of the NFL, helps USA Tomahawks win over Canada with devastating tackling
* AMNRL expands to Midwest, West & Pacific
* Maui Rugby responds by arranging to host a June 2011 AMNRL Tournament
* Maui Rugby also begins negotiations for a Hawaii Division of the AMNRL
* Education 1st, NZ RFU and USA Rugby create a Game Plan Rugby Academy to bring top coaches to Hawaii
* Maui Rugby responds by sending its coach and 5 top teen players to the Coaching Clinic and Academy
* Vili Toluta'u, our U17 captain, flanker impresses the coaches from NZ and is a finalist for the NZ Academy scholarship
* Isea Finau, U17 fly half, also impresses the Game Plan coaches and is a NZ Rugby Academy scholarship finalist
* Leko Cravahlo, Loupua Hafoka and Oto Mafileo gained attention of college coaches at the Game Plan Rugby Academy
* Coach Jack earns yet another coaching certification, this one from the NZRFU, and will obtain Rugby 7s in Las Vegas
* USA Rugby introduces Accidental Health Insurance for rugby players
* Maui Rugby responds by being among the first clubs to sign up for the USAR Accidental Heath Insurance

Maui is uniquely well positioned to be of help to all rugby playing countries who seek to prepare their teams for the Olympics. We are still the Number 1 rated destination in the world according to several travel magazines and the number 1 in Hawaii, which is number 1 in the USA, according to others that do not choose an overall best single destination. We have year round great weather and the opportunity to train and play at every altitude that can be encountered in any major rugby venue, from sea level to 10,000 feet above sea level, and a beautiful ocean in which to cross train and relax in year round warm water. Teams can be assured that will be able to train in the sun near our leeward coast virtually every day of the year and if they want to practice playing in the rain that can do that too, near our pristine rain forest on our windward coasts, virtually any day of the year. So we are planning to help bring players from countries with Olympic hopes to Maui and the coaches who can help them bring out their full potential by creating an Olympic Rugby Academy and Associated Conventions program with will bring together professionals of various disciplines that can help rugby athletes advance their sporting career goals.

With respect to teams from around the world seeking players from Hawaii, Maui Rugby led the way on that in 2009 and followed up with a banner year in 2010, which saw the all of the Friends of Rugby in Hawaii come together for an excellent program for youth playing rugby in our State that was put on by Education 1st with the help of the NZ RFU. Five youngsters from Maui, along with our coach, participated in the Game Plan Academy and Rugby Smart Coaching Proram of the NZ RFU at BYU Hawaii in the closing month of 2010. USA Rugby sent its top coach, Eddie O'Sullivan and BYU from Utah sent its entire coaching staff to aid the coach trainers from New Zealand who put on an amazing disply of rugby knowledge and how to impart it to others.

Andrew Malafu of Kihei, a graduate of Maui High, took full advantage of the interest being expressed in players from Hawaii by teams overseas. The big center known as Telu by his Maui Warriors teammates devoted himself to regaining a level of fitness he had not enjoyed since high school and with it came some of the same sensational results with ball in hand that allowed him to set several rushing records for the Sabers. His play in 2010 with Bracknell RFC in the London SE National Three was so solid that Malafu has been scheduled for a trial with the London Scottish in early February of 2011. Andrew is very likely to become the first big league rugby union player born on Maui in a few weeks.

In the USA, the American National Rugby League (AMNRL) had a year of explosive growth on both the club level and with its National Team, the USA Tomahawks. National Team Head Coach David Niu went out on a limb to give a couple of players from Maui a chance to prove their coach right when he said to Coach Niu that Maui had some players who could add to the success of the Tomahawks.

Two players from Maui factored heavily into the success of the Tomahawks this season. Pila Taufa played sensationally in both of the Atlantic Cup matches that helped the USA retain the Cup and put itself in excellent position to qualify for the World Cup of Rugby League in 2013, which will be held in England and Wales. His try against Canada in the final match of the Cup was nothign short of brilliant and showed the maturity in his game from the year he spent in England with Bracknell, RFC. Instead of his typical display of speed around the end of his opposing winger Pila added a display of power when his opposite number took a good angle to close off the sideline Taufa simply blew threw the opposing winger before galloping along the touch line for the second try of the match that began an onslaught from which the Canadians simply could not recover.

USA Rugby also saw a huge growth year in its youth sector and saw further development of the USA Rugby Eagles under the stewardship of Coach Eddie O'Sullivan.
Players from Maui excelled this past year with Vili Toluta' and Isea Finau being identified as among the very top teams in the State who have made it to the finals in a competition for 7 scholarships to the prestigious New Zealand Rugby Academy. Vaka Manupuna joined the USA Tomahawks and help them win the Atlantic Cup by defeating Canada in a match in which his devastating tackling changed the mentality of the Canadians.

UH Maui Rugby Club is now formed. If you are a male or female student at UH Maui come to our Tuesday and Thursday night practices at the Kahului Community Center from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

Rugby 7s teams will be formed for both men and women. The club is seeking players, managers, broadcasters, videographers and trainers and will assist with those seeking to obtain referee or coaching certification. Send a message through our Contact Us page if you are interested in joining. The club is open to all students and has roles for anyone interested in getting involved.

Andrew "Telu" Malafu is back in London with Bracknell RFC and is scheduled for a trial with London Scottish in early Febraury.

USA Rugby Football Foundation accepting applications for Kevin Higgins $1,000 scholarships for high school rugby players intending to play rugby in college. Here is the link to the application http://www.usrugbyfoundation.org/atf/cf/%7B79EC039B-D7DF-4D22-80E3-35791A0EB31F%7D/2010KEVINHIGGINSSCHOLARSHIPFORM.PDF

Season in England a huge success for Andrew "Telu" Malafu and Sione "Pila" Taufa. Thanks to SolidPhotos.com we have photos of both of them in action helping Bracknell with the Berkshire Cup.

Pila Tauf breaks free for a full field length try in the Berkshire Cup Final he helped win at Bracknell, England!

Telu Malafu breaks two would be tackles in Berkshire Cup Final win with Bracknell RFC, London National

Pila Taufa turns the corner on his way to a full field length try to help win the Berkshire Cup Final, Bracknell, England

Telu Malafu draws a crowd of defenders during the Berkshire Cup Final he helped win at Bracknell, England

Pila Taufa finishes off a try helping to win the Berkshire Cup Final at Bracknell, England

Three U17 Elite named for summer program with Ontario Select. Vili Toluta'u, Solo Anitema and Sione Mahe have been named as the players who will spend part of their summer in Canada training with the Ontario U17 Provincial Select Side (one of the 7 provincical programs from which Canada selects its National Teams). Fund raising to pay for their airfare is beginning. Frequent Flyer ticket donations being sought. Please contact Coach Jack at 808-344-7191 if you can help.

News from London remains great as the men from Maui keep helping Bracknell RFC win big late season matches.

Here are photos from the last two weekends. Several from the "Pit" feature our first father v. son match up as the Toluta'u family put a dad and two sons out on the pitch (and a great hit on dad was made by the younger son to the amusement of all in attendance).) The Lahaina photos are from our first annual Rugby 7s Tournament, (for which we just got a major sponsor for next year).

A great time was had by all on both weekends. A special Mahalo to our friend Cody from Bampf Canada who joined in the friendly men's match played after the conclusion of the tournament.

The Men's tournament was won by Kihei. Mone Takufua, Moona Lolohea, Siua Lolohea accept the winners' trophy, as tournament referees Kausiga Tukana, Siua Lolohea, Manase Soakai and Head Coach Jack Breen look on.

The Teen Division was won by Lahaina U20 by one try over Kihei U19 after the first match between then ended in a tie. Accepting the trophy is Coach Saia Siakumi

Most Valuable Man of the Tournament was Kihei's Saia Otuafe, who was the leading scorer by far

Most Valuable Boy Rookie Rugby Player was Simisi Soakai, shown with his dad, Manase, and Coach Jack

Most valuable U12 Boy and Rookie Rugby Girl Player were awarded to Sione Lolohea and Moona Lolohea shown with their dad, Siua, and Coach Jack

Most valuable Teen was won by 19 year old Namoori Uenroi, Maui's representative on the All Hawaii U19 Team in 2009, who had to leave for work before the award ceremony.

Two more weekends of great rugby, this past one at the Kihei Youth Center Field and the prior one at the field in front of War Memorial gym has Maui Rugby ready for its first island championships tournament on Feburary 20 at the Lahaina field. And good news from England. Pila Taufa scored two tries in his first match on English soil and Andrew Malafu Telu Malafu added another try to lift Bracknell to a huge win over one of the few sides to have beaten them earlier in the season. Then this past weekend Pila scored 4 more tries as he and Telu helped Bracknell to a Berkshire Cup quarterfinal win of 78 to 3. It looks like the BRFC is very please with its newest players with good reason. We look forward to more new from the other side of the pond as the season progresses. Here are some shots from this past weekend which saw Kihei display early dominance with a 30 to 15 win over Lahaina and a 30 to 25 win over Kahului/Wailuku.

What a great day of rugby last Saturday as we wished good luck to Telu Malafu and Pila Taufa who fly to London on Monday for a season with Bracknell Rugby Football Club and the opportunity to try out for professional contracts that pay six figures per year in US dollars.

The Kihei U12 team earned its new name "The Kihei Heat" as they played two blazing "touch rugby" matches, one after the U19s had a full tackle scrimmage and one after the men had their full tackle scrimmage. Here are some photos of the fun.

USA Rugby Runs IRB Referee Certification Program on Maui, 3 Maui Rugby Members Certified as Level I Referees

Manasi Sokai, Peta Totau and Moli Pousima passed the IRB Certification Course for Level I Referee, Congratulations to all three of them. This gives Maui a total of 5 certified referees as we look to begin the 2010 Rugby season.

Here are some photos from the recent match with the Pacific Coast Rugby Union Grizzlies U17

Maui Fearless in Lahaina before match with Grizzlies Oto Mafileo leads the Fearless in the Sipitau at Lahaina

The Fearless Sipitau up close Moving on to the next phase, an area to work on

Fearless Scrum against the Pacific Grizzlies Siueli Vaha disrupts a Grizzly through and Vili Tolata'u wins the ball

Lack of support costs a turn over, notice how the Grizzlies have all backs lined up and ready, check out body position of man over ball, compare team positions in support, more to work on

Fearless winning a ruck A couple of our youngest fans enjoying a half time snack

Photos from last season

Maui U16s looking good in their new orange uniforms, provided by the National Guard.

Referee Mac Schwenke sets the scrum in Maui U16 match v. Kahuku

Solo Malafu Anitema breaks the line during the U-16 State Championship semi-final against Waimea

Sione Tukuafu, Kiko Fonehema and Duke Waring follow in support.

The National Guard sponsored HYR State Championships Tournament was held at Kapiolani Park in Waikiki on May 1 and 2.

Kahuku are again the U19s State Champions after defeating UH Youth in a hard hitting final. Congratulations to the Rhinos and all the U19 teams who played this season.

Maui's U16s made it to the State Championships thanks to the sponsorship of Uncle Buddy Smith and the hosting of the National Guard and showed very well, scoring tries in the final seconds of each match.

Maui defense swarms a Waimea player in the U16 State Championships semi-final match.

However, in the semi-finals Maui were bettered by a single point by the Mud Hogs of Waimea,
28-29, the U16 HYR 2009 State Champions. Congratulations to Waimea on the win and to Maui on meeting their goal of finishing strongly in every match.

Thanks also to Kahuku for giving Maui another match, won by Kahuku, and congratulations to Kona's U16s on their second place finish.

Vili Tolutau takes a line out throw from Kahuku at State Championships

Kahuku forward makes a strong tackle on Vili Tolutau as Poini Kafoa comes to support

This year there were also U13s in the State Championships, but none yet from Maui. Next year, when Maui hosts the tournament, Maui plans to have teams in all three categories and in the girls divisions as well.

Mana O Maui U19s at Kapiolani Park at the foot of Diamond Head in Waikiki (From left standing) Coach Finau Hafoka, Timote "Valu" Kauvaka, Taniella Palavi, Peter Lino, Tulia Tei, Coach Jack Breen, (middle row from left) Selu Tulia, Aisea Fonua, Vili Toluta'u, Namoori Uenraoi, Taniella Bloomfield (seated) Stefano Sulanga, Nutie Pousima (captain) Jared "Leti" Langi, Uame Toluta'u

Maui captain Nuti Pousima eluding a would be defender at Aloha 7s where he scored 9 tries.

Namoori Uenroi breaks a tackle in an Aloha 7s U19 match while Nella Bloomfield supports him

Big Nella Bloomfield runs strong with ball in hand while Simeone Vehikite comes to support

Nuti Pousima scores one of his 9 tries at the Aloha 7s

Sepu Tulia breaks through on a pick and go as Peter Lino comes to support him at the Aloha 7s

The U19s took 4th place with 4 wins at the Aloha 7s Youth Rugby Tournament over spring break. The scoring was well spread out with 8 Maui players contributing to the 128 points scored, compared to 77 allowed. Captain Nuti Pousima, playing at wing, led the scoring, notching 45 points on 9 tries in the 6 matches. Namoori Uenraoi, playing at scrum half, added 27 points with 3 tries and 5 drop kick conversioins. Simione Vehikite, playing at center, added 20 points with 4 tries in the 2 matches he played in on Friday (druing which the team out scored its opponents 82 - 5), Peter Lino, playing at hooker, and Leti Langi, playing at wing, each added 10 points with 2 trys apiece, including the first one ever for Leti and the first in 7s for Peter, Tulie Tei, also playing at wing, contributed 6 points on 3 drop kick conversions and Valu Kauvaka, playing at prop, and Fano Sulanga, playing at center, each contributed 5 points with a try a piece. Maui won twice against Waipahu (17 - 12 on Thursday and 44 - 5 on Friday) and once against Kapolei (38-0) and collected a win against Kahuku (by forfiet) after opening with a 7 - 17 loss to Parkside, the eventual champion. In what many spectators dubbed the best match of the tournament Maui and Kalihi battled each other evenly in the semi-finals down to the last second, with Kalihi avenging the double overtime loss to Maui in the semi-finals the last time the two met at the Aloha 7s, by sqeeking out a 19 -21 win over Maui. Spent from that fantastic match Maui lost in the consolation match with UH Youth 7 - 22 in a contest Maui used to even out the playing time at the tournament for all of our players.

Peter Lino joins in a tackle being made by Nella Bloomfield in the match against Kapolei at the Aloha 7s

Simione Vehikite and Fano Sulanga close on a Waipahu runner at the Aloha 7s

Aisea Fonua heads to support a teammate making a tackle on a Kapolei player at the Aloha 7s.

Transportation costs to the Aloha 7s were donated by Marco's Grill & Deli, to whom we say Mahalo!

Uncle Buddy Smith, along with All American Framing, M.D.L. Builders, and Happy Kids Maui

sponsored us for team shirts (again), so our players look good when playing touch and traveling to tournaments and matches. Uncle Buddy and his pals have now provided 180 shirts to young rugby players on Maui, for which we say Mahalo!

Mouth guards for this season were donated by Maui Smile Works for all teens, Mahalo Dr. D.

U19s and U16s are now preparing for 15s rugby and the State Championships in Waikiki in May.

Men make playoffs, despite dropping last 2 matches.

This year's Aloha State Games will include Rugby and Maui will be sending players. Check back here for more information on the Games which will be held on Oahu on June 18, 19 & 20.

Mana O Maui was again represented on a USA National Age/Grade Team this year and has two players already selected for future National Teams!

Simione Vehikite was named to the USA U18 National Team shown here before their match as part of the

San Diego 7s Tournament. Congratulations to SImione and the other 2 players from Hawaii selected to

represent our country on the rugby pitch.

2009 USA U18 National Team (Eagles)

Simione Vehikite, Maui's second USA Age/Grade Eagle

And congratulations to Simione too for earning a football scholarship to USC. In honor of that accomplishment Mana O Maui's U17s are being nicknamed the Trojans. The U19s will keep the name Spartans, selected by the first team to represent our club in 2007. When we field our U14s we will name them the Lunas in honor of the high school most of the players on our first team. So that players who go all through our tackle programs will be Lunas first, Trojans next, and Spartans before graduating to the Maui Warriors, our men's side, or the Akala Wahine, our women's side.

U16 Lopua Hafoka selected as future USA Age/Grade Eagle, as was U19 Paula Toa

Congratulations Lopua and Paula!

Sione Pila Taufa, Maui's first USA Age/Grade Eagle

Maui born and raised Sione Pila Taufa played with the USA U-19 against Canada at the 2008 Freedom Cup, making him the first ever Eagle from Maui. Thanks to all who helped make this possible. Congratulations Pila!

*Josh Aquinde, 2007 U-19 Captain, now starting scrum half for California Luthern University,

Josh Aquinde, a 2007 graduate of Kamehameha Schools, Maui, who will forever be known as the "First Spartan" of Maui teen rugby, is in his 4th semester of studies and rugby at California Luthern (7-0), where he is the A side scrum half. Way to go Josh!

Maui Rugby Org, a Hawaii Non Profit Corp. 449 Kuikahi Drive, Wailuku HI 96793

Helping young people grow in a safe, fun and disciplined way by growing FREE Rugby on Maui is what Maui Rugby Org is all about. To help us keep our programs FREE please donate to Maui Rugby Org. Free Maui Rugby T shirt to those who donate $25 US.