Va'aiga Tuigamala
Va'aiga Tuigamala
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1947129

Va'aiga Tuigamala

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1947129

Va'aiga Tuigamala

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Va'aiga Tuigamala

Va'aiga Lealuga Tuigamala Pulelua Fesola'i MNZM (4 September 1969 – 24 February 2022), often known as Inga Tuigamala, was a professional rugby union and rugby league footballer. Born in Western Samoa, he represented New Zealand in rugby union, winning 19 caps, and later Samoa in both rugby league (two caps) and rugby union (23 caps). He played in one rugby league and two rugby union World Cups.

Tuigamala began his career in rugby union, and played provincially for Auckland. He changed codes from rugby union to rugby league, and became an integral part of the successful Wigan team of the 1990s. He returned to rugby union, winning English championships with London Wasps and Newcastle Falcons.

A centre or wing, he was known as a powerful runner, much larger than most rugby wingers of the time.

Born in Faleasiu, Samoa, Tuigamala and his family moved to New Zealand when he was 4 years old. He grew up in southern Glendene in West Auckland, New Zealand. He was from Tongan and Samoan Descent.

He played in New Zealand for Ponsonby and Auckland. He represented New Zealand (the All Blacks) in rugby union as a winger from 1989, playing his first test match against the United States in 1991. At the time, Tuigamala was the first person born in Samoa to play for the All Blacks. He won 19 caps, including playing at the 1991 World Cup.

He was the first player to score a try worth 5 points on July 4, 1992, in a match against Australia.

Nicknamed "Inga the Winger", he converted to rugby league, signing with English club Wigan in 1993. His biography Inga the Winger by Bob Howitt was also published in 1993.

In rugby league, Tuigamala played as a centre in a successful Wigan team, winning several trophies over four seasons. Tuigamala played from the interchange bench in Wigan's 1994 World Club Challenge victory over Australian premiers, the Brisbane Broncos, in Brisbane.

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