Ukuma Taʻai

Ukuma Taai

Personal information
Full name	Ukuma Taʻai
Born	(1987-01-17) 17 January 1987 Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight	16 st 7 lb (105 kg)
Playing information
Position	Second-row, Loose forward, Prop
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2009–12 New Zealand Warriors 52 7 0 0 28 2013–20 Huddersfield Giants 196 47 0 0 188 2021–22 Newcastle Thunder 34 13 0 0 52 2023– York Knights 44 6 0 0 8 Total 326 73 0 0 276 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2006– Tonga 10 2 0 0 8
Source: As of 28 September 2022

Ukuma Ta'ai (born 17 January 1987) is a Tongan professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row, loose forward or prop for the York Knights in the Championship and Tonga at international level.

He previously played for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL and the Huddersfield Giants in the Super League.

Background

Ta'ai was born in Nuku'alofa, Tonga.

Early years

Ta'ai was educated at Tonga College and originally played rugby union. When he moved to Auckland, New Zealand, Ta'ai played for the University club and made the Auckland Rugby Union second XV. The following year, at the suggestion of a friend, he switched codes and joined the Mt Albert Rugby League Club and played in the Auckland Rugby League competition. In 2008 he played for the Auckland Vulcans in the NSW Cup.

Club career

New Zealand Warriors

Ta'ai was signed by the New Zealand Warriors in 2009 and made his début in a trial game against the North Queensland Cowboys. He made his first grade début in Round Two 2009 against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. Ta'ai scored the Warriors first try against Penrith on 17 April after pouncing on a loose pass and crossing under the posts. He re-signed with the Warriors for the 2012 season but was told he would be released by the club at the end of the year.

Huddersfield Giants

On 12 September 2012 Ta'ai signed with Huddersfield until 2015. His transfer was held up by red tape, until in January 2013 he was granted a British work permit. He scored his first try against Hull F.C. on 7 July 2013.

Newcastle Thunder

On 5 February 2021, it was reported that he had signed for the Newcastle Thunder in the RFL Championship.

York City Knights

On 28 September 2022, it was reported that he had signed for York in the RFL Championship.

Representative career

In 2006 Ta'ai played for Tonga in the Pacific Cup, picked from Tonga College's Under 19 rugby union team at the age of 19. The Tongan team won the tournament. He played for Tonga in the 2009 Pacific Cup. At the conclusion of the 2015 season, Ta'ai played for Tonga in their Asia-Pacific Qualifier match against the Cook Islands for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

External links

• Huddersfield Giants profile
• New Zealand Warriors profile
• SL profile
• 2017 RLWC profile