Va'aiga Tuigamala playing for New Zealnd against Italy in the 1991 World Cup.
The game, watched by 15,711 spectators, was played in Leicester and resulted in
a 31-21 win for The All Blacks. Va'aiga Tuigamala scored one of New Zealnd's four tries.
Va'aiga Tuigamala died on 24th February 2022 aged 52.
Career Record: Played 19, Won 14, Lost 5
Test Points: 21
Tries: 5.
1991 v USA (Gloucester) W 46-6 (W.Cup)
1991 v Italy (Leicester) W 31-21 (W.Cup)
1991 v Canada (Lille) W 29-13 (W.Cup)
1991 v Scotland (Cardiff) W 13-6 (W.Cup 3rd/4th Place)
1992 v World XV (Christchurch) L 28-14
1992 v World XV (Wellington) W 54-26
1992 v World XV (Auckland) W 26-15
1992 v Ireland (Dunedin) W 24-21
1992 v Australia (Sydney) L 16-15
1992 v Australia (Brisbane) L 19-17
1992 v Australia (Sydney) W 26-23
1992 v South Africa (Joburg) W 27-24
1993 v British Lions (Christchurch) W 20-18
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1993 v British Lions (Christchurch) W 20-18
1993 v British Lions (Wellington) L 20-7
1993 v British Lions (Auckland) W 30-13
1993 v Australia (Dunedin) W 25-10
1993 v Western Samoa (Auckland) W 35-13
1993 v Scotland (Murrayfield) W 51-15
1993 v England (Twickenham) L 15-9
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The photo of Va'aiga Tuigamala was taken on 8th. October 1991.
Image by & © George Herringshaw.
The speed and trickery that Va'aiga "Inga" Tuigimala showed as a teenager playing for Auckland suggested that he would help himself to rich pickings at international level. Sadly, a combination of factors meant that he never demonstrated what he was capable of in a New Zealand shirt and would only really find his niche when he swapped codes. In many ways Inga was a prototype of Jonah Lomu, a big, blockbusting winger who caught the imagination of even non rugby fans. After the early promise, Inga's problems stemmed from Auckland's decision to play him in the centre as a crash ball man rather than on the wing, a position he would also occupy for the All Blacks. The switch was not the best use of the big man's talents and his try scoring rate dropped dramatically.
Thus, although Va'aiga played in New Zealand's early games in the 1991 World Cup, he did not shine as he might otherwise have done. Another problem was his fluctuating weight level which was the source of continual media speculation - at one point he tipped the scales at around 17 stone! Some accused Inga of being an indifferent trainer, while others cited the bulk he was packing on was to cope with the demands of playing in the middle of the field. However, on the 1993 tour to the UK he looked fitter than he had done for a long time and he turned in some fine performances.
However, the 15-9 loss against England at Twickenham would prove to be his last as an All Black and soon after the tour ended, Inga switched to League when he signed for Wigan. The move was an unmitigated success and Inga became a legend in Lancashire. New Zealand fans, initially indifferent to his departure, watched enviously as a much faster, sleeker Inga ran in a bagful of touch downs and illuminated the fields of Northern England with his electrifying pace. In total, he won 19 caps for New Zealand, scoring 4 tries. (Jon Collins).
Following the end of his rugby career, he acted as advisor for his cousin David Tua, a professional
heavyweight boxer, and ran a funeral director company, "Tuigamala and Sons of Glendene"
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