The Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame (PRHF) is set to honor seven legendary Pasifika rugby players at a ceremony next month in Auckland’s Eden Park Centre. This marks the second induction since the Hall’s establishment a year ago.
Among the inductees is Monique Hirovanaa, a former Black Ferns halfback and notable for being the first woman of Pacific heritage to win the World Rugby Player of the Year Award in 2002. Hirovanaa’s distinguished rugby career includes participation in two Women’s Rugby World Cup victories in 1998 and 2022, representing New Zealand and Auckland.
The inductees also include the late Fesolai Va’aiga Tuigamala, who played for both the All Blacks and Manu Samoa, enhancing the visibility of Pasifika athletes in rugby. Other notable figures are former Wallaby Viliami Ofahengaue, former Tongan international Malakai Alatini, All Blacks Sir Michael Jones and Tana Umaga, and the Flying Fijian Seremaia Bai.
These inductees have significantly contributed to Pasifika rugby—Ofahengaue was instrumental in paving the way for Tongan players in Australia, while Alatini has played both as a competitor and a coach within the Auckland rugby community. Similarly, Umaga and Jones have focused on giving back to their heritage through coaching roles with Manu Samoa.
Sir Michael Jones, the current chairman of the Pasifika Rugby Hall of Fame, emphasized the importance of recognizing the legacies of these players and advocating for increased representation of Pasifika voices within rugby unions. He conveyed hope that the Hall would not only honor past achievements but also inspire future generations of Pasifika rugby talent.
In exciting news, Fiji Drua co-captain Tevita Ikanivere and Manusina Samoa skipper Masuisuimatama’ali’i Tauasa-Pauaraisa have been named the 2024 Pasifika Hall of Fame Players of the Year. Both will receive their awards at the ceremony on April 10, reflecting ongoing excellence in Pasifika rugby and the promise it continues to hold for the future.
The evening will celebrate the outstanding contributions of these individuals to rugby and highlight the broader impact of Pasifika athletes in the sport, fostering hope for future generations to emulate their success.
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