Weight 105 kg (16 st 7 lb) 2009–12 New Zealand Warriors 7 0 Height 1.85 m Career end 2012 | Position Second-row, Prop 52 7 Career start 2006 | |
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Born 17 January 1987 (age 30)Nuku'alofa, Tonga ( 1987-01-17 ) | ||
Ukuma Ta'ai (born 17 January 1987) is a Tongan professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Huddersfield Giants of the Super League. His usual position is at Second Row but he can play at Prop.
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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.
Ta'ai played rugby union on Fridays for Tonga College and played rugby league on Saturdays for his home village club, the Fuekafa of Te'ekiu.
Warriors
Ta'ai was signed by the New Zealand Warriors in 2009 and made his debut in a trial game against the North Queensland Cowboys. He made his first grade debut in Round Two 2009 against the Manly Sea Eagles. Ta'ai scored the Warriors first try against Penrith on 17 April after pouncing on a loose pass and crossing under the sticks.
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 Giants 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.
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.