51-768: Sam Tagataese pronounced ( / t eɪ ɡ ə t iː z i / ) (born 8 December 1986) is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who last played as a prop forward for the Brisbane Broncos in the NRL . He played for the Melbourne Storm , Gold Coast Titans and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League . Tagataese was part of the Cronulla team that won their maiden premiership title in
102-633: A 3-year contract with the Parramatta Eels , starting from 2018. On 6 May 2017, Evans played for Fiji against Tonga in the 2017 Pacific Cup Test , starting at prop in the 26–24 loss at Campbelltown Stadium . Evans finished his last year with the Sydney Roosters with him playing in 16 matches in the 2017 NRL season . On 7 October 2017, Evans was named in the 24-man squad for Fiji for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup . In Fiji's first pool match against USA , Evans broke his wrist while scoring his try in
153-407: A 90 metre long try, taking the score to 26-24. Tommy Makinson would then kick the conversion to tie the match. With the scores tied at 26-26, the match went to Golden Point, with England receiving the ball first. Jack Welsby made an error giving Samoa the ball, which would lead to an Anthony Milford field goal attempt but missed. England received the ball again but a Sam Tomkins error would give
204-656: A Canberra and Goulburn Stockmen Junior who previously represented American Samoa and Wayne McDade from the New Zealand Warriors while bringing back Matthew FuaSamoa into the Pacific Cup arena. Samoa took on Ireland , Scotland , and the Aotearoa Māori in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup pool stages. They would lose to 'the Irish' in their opening game, but they'd beat NZ Maori, and Scotland in their next two games, sealing
255-637: A group of up and coming players such as Matthew TuiSamoa , Lionel Perera , Aleki Maea , Paki Tuimavave , Joe Vagana , Sefo Fuimaono and Peter Lima , the team beat the Canberra Raiders and the Great Britain International team . Coached by the Richmond Bulldogs ' Head Coach Steve Kaiser, this team gave Samoa the status to create the strong foundation Western Samoa Rugby League needed to move forward. Below this strong foundation however
306-506: A high injury toll and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks supplements saga . In the 2015 NRL season , Cronulla turned their form around on the field to reach the finals. Tagataese played in the club's 39–0 defeat by North Queensland in the elimination final. In 2016, Tagataese was part of the Cronulla side which won their first ever premiership defeating Melbourne 14–12 in the 2016 NRL Grand Final at ANZ Stadium . On 13 December 2017, Brisbane Broncos announced they had signed Tagataese on
357-444: A lack of professionalism and success. Parish responded by claiming the players were coerced to sign the letter. In May 2021, Andrew Johns , Matthew Johns and Sonny Bill Williams voiced interest to jointly coach Samoa at the 2021 World Cup . Rugby League Samoa affirmed Parish would remain as head coach for the tournament in a statement. NRL.com noted that Samoa has approximately 85 NRL players to choose from in 2021, more than
408-550: A number of other players. Evans spoke to the media about being dropped saying “I've been going crap, I don't think I've been up to standard coming off injury from the World Cup and a few little injuries in pre-season. I definitely need to work on my fitness and I'll be doing that in the next couple of weeks, It's the truth, my game doesn't hide anything, You can think what you want, but I haven't been performing, You can see that in my stats and how I've been going. ” On 2 June 2018, Evans
459-578: A one-year deal."For me it is about tapping into something I don't think I have tapped into before- and that is getting the best out of myself," he said. "I am going to give it my all and I hope to make it into the 17 during the year." In 2019, he announced his retirement, playing his final game for the Souths Logan Magpies of the Queensland Cup . He scored ten tries for the Magpies during his stint in
510-571: A place in the knock-out stages. They would take on Australia in the quarter-final. Unfortunately, they ended their tournament with a thrashing 66–10 defeat (their biggest defeat up to date), sealing an end to a respectable World Cup Campaign. Samoa played in the Pacific Pool of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup Qualifiers . They beat the Cook Islands and Fiji , but lost to Tonga . On a points difference, Samoa came in third and had to play USA in
561-451: A two-year deal to join English side Hull F.C. In round 4 of the 2022 Super League season, Evans made his club debut for Hull F.C. against Castleford . The following week, he was sent to the sin bin during the club's victory over Leeds. Evans played a total of 17 games for Hull F.C. in the 2022 season as the club finished 9th. Evans played 6 games to start the season. On 16 May, Evans
SECTION 10
#1732851450236612-534: Is available for the successful Tongan (60) and Fijian (40) teams, however, according to reports, there are some players not willing to represent Samoa under the current coaching set-up. In October 2022, Samoa opened the 2021 Men's Rugby League World Cup against host nation England . Despite high expectations for Samoa, due to high profile players such as Penrith Panthers premiership winning trio Jarome Luai , Brian To'o , and Stephen Crichton pledging allegiance to Samoa over Australia , Samoa went on to lose
663-494: The 1986 Pacific Cup . Joe Raymond coached this side to a final where they went down to a strong NZ Maori side. Joe Raymond went on to coach them again in 1988 and would return again to coach them 10 years later in 1998 in a one-off game against a Samoan team of Samoan resident players at Carlaw park. William John "Swanny" Stowers and his wife Lyndsay Stowers operated Samoa Rugby League out of their North Shore home in Auckland and from
714-650: The 2014 NRL season having played in 9 matches for the Roosters. On 31 January and 1 February, Evans played for the Roosters in the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines . On 3 May, he played for New South Wales City against New South Wales Country in the 2015 City vs Country Origin , playing off in the interchange bench in City's 22–34 loss in Wagga Wagga . In round 15, against the St. George Illawarra Dragons , he scored his first NRL career try in
765-592: The 2014 NRL season , Evans made his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters, coming off the interchange bench against the Parramatta Eels in the Roosters 56–4 win at the SFS . On 9 April 2014, Evans extended his contract for a further 3 years, keeping him at the Roosters until the end of the 2017 season. In May 2014 Evans was selected to play for Fiji in the 2014 Pacific Rugby League International against Samoa . Evans played at prop in Fiji's 16–32 loss at Penrith Stadium . Evans finished
816-570: The 2014 Pacific Rugby League International . Tagataese made headlines in the match after being sent off for a head-butt on Fijian player Kane Evans . On 8 September 2014, Tagataese was selected for the Samoa Four Nations train-on squad. On 7 October 2014, Tagataese was selected in the Samoa national rugby league team final 24 man squad for the 2014 Four Nations series. On 7 May 2016, Tagataese traveled down from Hull to Sydney to captain Samoa in
867-476: The 2016 Melanesian Cup , where he started at prop in the 24–22 loss at Parramatta Stadium . Evans finished the 2016 NRL season with him playing in 23 matches for the Roosters. On 8 October 2016, Evans played for Fiji against Samoa , starting at prop in the 20–18 win in Apia, Samoa . In February 2017, Evans was selected in the Roosters tournament winning 2017 NRL Auckland Nines squad. On 4 May 2017, Evans signed
918-494: The 2016 Polynesian Cup against Tonga , playing off the interchange bench in the 18–6 win at Parramatta Stadium . Samoa national rugby league team The Samoa national rugby league team represents Samoa in rugby league football and has participated in international competition since 1986. Known as Western Samoa before 1997, the team is administered by Rugby League Samoa and are nicknamed Toa Samoa ( English : Samoan Warriors ). Western Samoa made their debut in
969-596: The 2024 tour of England was announced on 9 October 2024. Jarome Luai was appointed captain. Statistics in the table include the Second Test against England . Notes: Kane Evans Kane Evans (born 9 January 1992) is a former Fiji international rugby league footballer who is currently playing for Glebe Dirty Reds , having last played as a prop for the Hull FC in the Super League . He previously played for
1020-520: The Gold Coast Titans immediately to join the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks on a three-year contract. Tagataese managed eight appearances for the Gold Coast in the 2011 NRL season as the club finished last and claimed the wooden spoon. In the 2014 NRL season , Tagataese played 18 games as Cronulla-Sutherland endured a horror year on and off the field with the club finishing last on the table due to
1071-538: The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at BankWest Stadium . Evans scored his first try of the 2020 NRL season in round 2 as Parramatta defeated the Gold Coast 46–6. On 12 August, Evans signed a two-year deal to join the New Zealand Warriors starting in 2021. In round 5 of the 2021 NRL season , he made his debut for New Zealand against Manly-Warringah . On 19 July, it was announced that Evans
SECTION 20
#17328514502361122-513: The Melbourne Storm on 7 April 2007, against the Newcastle Knights at Energy Australia Stadium . He made 11 appearances for Melbourne in his debut year. In the 2008 NRL season , Tagatese played 6 games for Melbourne before he joined the Gold Coast . Tagatese played in the Gold Coast's first ever finals campaign in the 2009 NRL season . On 11 June 2011, Tagataese announced he was leaving
1173-705: The Sydney Roosters , Parramatta Eels , and the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL , and New South Wales City and the World All Stars at representative level. Evans was born in Sydney, Australia. Evans played his junior football for the Leichhardt Wanderers, Balmain Police Boys and Leichhardt Juniors before being signed by the Sydney Roosters . In 2011 and 2012, Evans played for the Roosters' NYC team. At
1224-601: The World All Stars team to play the Indigenous All Stars on 16 February 2016. On 13 January, Evans was named in the emerging New South Wales Blues squad. On 13 February, he played for the World All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars in the 2016 All Stars match , playing off the interchange bench in his team's 12–8 win at Suncorp Stadium . On 7 May, he played for Fiji against Papua New Guinea in
1275-468: The '2013 Pacific Rugby League Test' at Penrith Stadium . The International was created as a World Cup warm-up match. Tonga targeted Samoa's weak defence, and it paid off, thrashing the Toa Samoans by 36–4. Australian Matt Parish was appointed head coach ahead of the 2013 World Cup . In the group stage, Samoa lost to New Zealand 42–24, and defeated Papua New Guinea 38–4 and France 22–6. They lost
1326-452: The 15-man game. Samoa lost the Pacific Cup in 1996. The 1998 Pacific Cup team saw a new and old talent. Joe Raymond, one of the first Samoan Rugby League Rep coaches returned after coaching Tonga and the NZ Maori, the late Eddie Poching managed the team and the introduction of Francis Meli to Samoan Rugby League and Junior Papalii a loyal American Samoan Representative. Pati Tuimavave from
1377-681: The 1992 Pacific Cup over Tonga in an action filled thriller that went into two (2) overtimes and sent the NZ Rugby League and Polynesian rugby league public into a frenzy. The 1992 Tournament showcased all of NZ Rugby league talent and Australian Rugby league scouts were already booked to witness the 1994 Pacific Cup held in Fiji. In 1993 Western Samoa were invited to the International Coca-Cola Sevens in Sydney. With Auckland based Samoan players such as Mark Elia , Tony Tuimavave , Tony Tatupu , Faausu Afoa and Des Maea followed by
1428-549: The 1992 squad and Matthew TuiSamoa, the only survivor from 1990 Pacific Cup champion team returned. Samoa battled Tonga for the 1998 Pacific Cup again at Carlaw park and again Samoa regained the Pacific Champions Title. The Pacific Cup was taken to Australia's Gold Coast in 2000 where Auckland coach John Ackland took over the reins. Ackland added another dimension to Samoa Rugby League in selecting rising stars Itikeri Samani
1479-524: The 2016 season. Born in Wellington, New Zealand . Tagataese attended St. Bernard's College, Lower Hutt , playing first fifteen Rugby, and received Sportsman of the year in 2003. He left Wellington to play with Melbourne Storm feeder Brisbane Norths . He was educated at Wavell State High School was selected for the Queensland under 19's and 2004 Junior Kiwis squad. Tagataese made his NRL debut for
1530-503: The 58–12 rampaging win at 1300SMILES Stadium , ruling him out for the rest of the tournament with him only playing in 1 match. In Round 1 of the 2018 NRL season, Evans made his club debut for the Parramatta Eels against the Penrith Panthers , playing off the interchange bench in the 24–14 loss at Penrith Stadium . After losing their opening six games of the season, Evans was dropped to reserve grade by coach Brad Arthur along with
1581-473: The NRL. I'm assuming that's going to be today and I told Kane this morning to be ready for something. So we'll wait and see what happens, but from a club perspective we'll work with the NRL and see where we land with everything". On 21 July, Evans was fined $ 5000 by the NRL over the incident. In round 21, Evans was sent to the sin bin twice during New Zealand's 18-16 victory over Cronulla . In one incident, Evans
Sam Tagataese - Misplaced Pages Continue
1632-637: The Queensland Cup. Tagataese is of Samoan heritage, and was named in the Samoa training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup . In 2009 he was named as part of the Samoan side for the Pacific Cup . In 2013, Sam made his international début, he played for Samoa in the Pacific Rugby League International against fierce pacific rivals Tonga . In May 2014, Sam played for Samoa in
1683-604: The Repecharge Semi-final. Samoa won this match 42–10 and then played Lebanon on 14 November 2007 in the Repecharge Final to see who would take the 10th and final World Cup place. Samoa came out eventual winners of the 10th and final 2008 Rugby League World Cup place beating Lebanon 38–16 at the Chris Moyles Stadium, Featherstone. For the 2008 Rugby League World Cup tournament Samoa's main jersey sponsor
1734-670: The Richmond Rugby League Club house where Lyndsay ran the canteen. This resilient couple were known to have put a mortgage on their home to assist with funding the thirty (30) men representing Samoa in the Pacific Cup held in Tonga, 1990. This commitment lead to a historical win over the Maori team for the first time and a win in the 1990 Pacific Cup . Coached by the Richmond Bulldogs Head Coach, Steve Kaiser. Samoa then won
1785-551: The Roosters' 19–14 win at the Sydney Football Stadium. In round 21, against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs , he made headlines by producing shoulder charge on Bulldogs forward Sam Kasiano in the Roosters' 38–28 win at the Sydney Football Stadium. Evans finished off the 2015 season having played in 26 matches and scoring 3 tries for the Roosters. On 15 December, he was named on interchange bench for
1836-813: The ball back to Samoa once again and Stephen Chrichton kicked the field goal to win the match, 27-26. Sending Samoa to their first ever World Cup final against Australia , and just the fifth team to qualify for the final. (Great Britain, England, France, New Zealand) Samoa's kit consists of a blue jersey with usually a white V on the chest, paired with blue shorts and socks. Since 2023, Samoa's kits are currently supplied by Dynasty Sport. Former suppliers were Classic Sportswear (2022), FI-TA (2013-2021), SAS (2006–2013), SportM (1995–2000), Zeus (1992–1995) and Adidas (1990–1992). The current sponsors are Pacifcast . Former sponsors were DB Bitter (1992–1996), Yazaki (Rugby League World Cup 2000), SIFA.WS (2008–2015), Investsamoa.ws , and Vailima . The Samoa national team for
1887-672: The end of 2011, Evans was named at prop in the 2011 NYC team of the year. In 2012, Evans played for the New South Wales under-20 team and the Junior Kangaroos . In 2013, Evans moved on to the Roosters' New South Wales Cup team, the Newtown Jets . At the end of 2013, Evans was named on the interchange bench in the 2013 New South Wales Cup team of the year and played for Fiji at the World Cup . Evans played 5 matches. In round 2 of
1938-418: The final round, Samoa still had a chance to qualify for the final, making this Four Nations the toughest ever. This Samoan performance added credential to the rugby league game showing that the game is not all about the big three. An annual series against New Zealand was proposed to run likewise to Australia's State of Origin series . In May 2015, Samoa took on Tonga . The game was an absolute thriller with
1989-470: The first 5 games of the year from the bench but was demoted to reserve grade by coach Brad Arthur after the club suffered a 19–0 defeat against the Canberra Raiders . In round 12, Evans made his first start of the season for the run on side as Parramatta defeated a depleted South Sydney side 26–14 at Western Sydney Stadium . In round 25, Evans played his 100th NRL game in Parramatta's 32–16 win over
2040-458: The lead alternating between the teams and the biggest margin throughout the match was only 6 points. Samoa won 18–16. The following year, in May 2016, Samoa defeated Tonga 18–12. Samoa were winless at the 2017 World Cup , losing 38–8 to New Zealand and 32–18 Tonga , and drawing 14–14 with Scotland . However, due to the tournament structure, they advanced to the knock-out stage thanks to the draw. In
2091-602: The loyal players of Mike Setefano , Matthew TuiSamoa , Alex Tupou and Mark Faumuina . Henry Suluvale and Rudy David led the contingent of first class players from Canterbury however this arsenal were well contained by the Tongan stars Jim Dymock, John Hopoate, Solomon Haumono and Albert Fulivai. The 1995 Samoan team had the benefit of ex- All Blacks John Schuster and Va'aiga Tuigamala in their backline. When rugby union went openly professional players such as Apollo Perelini and Fereti Tuilagi left rugby league to return to
Sam Tagataese - Misplaced Pages Continue
2142-490: The match in embarrassing fashion, 60-6. Samoa rebounded from the loss in the competition opener with big wins over Greece and France , 72-4 and 62-4 respectively. Samoa qualified for the finals, coming second place in their pool behind England, and went on to face rivals Mate Ma'a Tonga in the quarter-finals. Samoa would go on to win the match despite a late resurgence from Tonga to win 20-18, qualifying for their first ever world cup semi final. Samoa would face England in
2193-556: The quarter-final to Fiji 22–4. In May 2014, Samoa defeated Fiji 32–16 in a one-off Test match to qualify for the 2014 Four Nations . In the Four Nations, Samoa was the fourth nation and the underdogs against rugby league's three big heavyweight nations England, New Zealand and Australia. But they proved that they were anything but underdogs, losing to England by six points in a sea-sawing battle, and they were within four minutes of creating rugby league history by beating New Zealand. By
2244-502: The quarter-final, Samoa lost 46–0 to defending champions Australia . Former rugby league players Reni Maitua and Willie Mason were heavily critical of the team after the tournament, claiming the players were staying up late at night and had no respect for coach Matt Parish . In February 2021, it was reported that 34 current and former Samoan players had co-signed a letter to Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi requesting for Parish to be removed as coach, citing
2295-461: The semi-final, who they lost their first match against. In a back and forth encounter, the scores were tied at 20-20 with less than 8 minutes to go in the match but Stephen Crichton would intercept a pass from Victor Radley running more than 60 metres to score a try to put Samoa ahead. Several minutes later, with just 3 minutes left in the match, England halfback George Williams broke Samoas defence and passed to Herbie Farnworth who would complete
2346-410: Was accused of making a racial slur in a match involving Wentworthville and The New Zealand Warriors reserve grade side. With 4 minutes remaining, Evans allegedly said a racist slur at New Zealand player Joseph Vuna. Vuna made a complaint to the on-field referee Todd Smith, who placed Evans on report. On 7 June 2018, The NSWRL withdrew their racial slur charges against Evans. On 4 August 2018, Evans
2397-427: Was recalled to the Parramatta side for the first time in over 2 months to take on the Gold Coast. Parramatta went on to win the match 28–12. Evans finished 2018 with 8 appearances for the club as Parramatta finished in last position on the table and claimed its 14th wooden spoon. Despite his poor form in 2018, Evans managed to remain in the Parramatta starting 17 for the beginning of the 2019 season. Evans played in
2448-438: Was sent to the bin after punching Cronulla player Will Chambers twice in the face. In round 25, Evans was sent to the sin bin for fighting in the club's 44-0 loss against the Gold Coast. The following week, Evans was suspended for five matches in relation to the incident. On 8 October, Evans was released by the New Zealand Warriors even though the player still had one year left on his contract. On 27 October, Evans signed
2499-670: Was the Samoa International Finance Authority . Samoa took on Tonga and Ireland in the Tournament's pool stages. They beat their Pacific rivals 20–12, but they then lost to the Irish by 34–16. This big losing margin, sent the Samoans into battle against the French in the Tournament's 9th place play-off. Samoa easily won, winning 42–10 and capping off an undesirable World Cup Tournament. In April 2013, Samoa took on Tonga in
2550-520: Was the strength and commitment of two people: Swanny and Lyndsay Stowers. These two held together the concept of Samoa Rugby League and without their dream, Samoa RL will not be where it is today. Steve Kaiser in his sixth year as the Samoan Coach had an array of NZ based quality players for the 1994 Pacific Cup with the likes of Se'e Solomona , Tony Tatupu , the Tuimavave brothers Paki and Tony plus
2601-482: Was under investigation by the NRL after cameras at the ground spotted an obscene message on Evans wrist tape which read “Fold some c**t”. Evans did not feature in New Zealand's round 18 match against Penrith as he was 18th man. New Zealand CEO Cameron George spoke to the media saying “We don't accept that, we don't condone it, or think it's appropriate and I'm waiting to see if there is anything that comes from it from
SECTION 50
#1732851450236#235764