Va'aiga Tuigamala

Va'aiga Tuigamala

MNZM

Tuigamala in 2008
Birth name	Va'aiga Lealuga Tuigamala
Date of birth	(1969-09-04)4 September 1969
Place of birth	Faleasiu, A'Ana, Western Samoa
Date of death	24 February 2022(2022-02-24) (aged 52)
Place of death	Auckland, New Zealand
Height	180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	110 kg (17 st 5 lb; 240 lb)
School	Kelston Boys' High School
Notable relative(s)	David Tua (cousin)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing Centre Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) Ponsonby () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 1996–1997 Wasps 13 (20) 1997–2002 Newcastle 113 (160) Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1988–1993 Auckland 49 (140) International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1989–1993 New Zealand 19 (21) 1996–2001 Samoa 23 (15)
Rugby league career
Playing information
Position	Centre Wing
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1993–1997 Wigan 102 254 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1995 Samoa 2 8

Va'aiga Lealuga Tuigamala Pulelua Fesola'i^[1][2] MNZM (4 September 1969 – 24 February 2022), sometimes known as Inga Tuigamala, was a professional rugby union and rugby league footballer. Born in 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 rugby football codes from rugby union to rugby league, and became an integral part of the successful Wigan team of the 1990. He later returned to union winning championships with London Wasps and Newcastle Falcons.^[3][4]

A centre or wing, he was known as a powerful runner, much larger than most wings in rugby union.