Christian Lio-Willie

Christian Lio-Willie
Birth nameChristian Javan Lio-Willie
Date of birth (1998-08-26) 26 August 1998 (age 26)
Place of birthAuckland, New Zealand
Height187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight109 kg (17 st 2 lb; 240 lb)
SchoolMassey High School
UniversityUniversity of Otago
Rugby union career
Position(s) Number 8, Flanker
Current team Otago, Crusaders
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021– Otago 15 (0)
2022 Highlanders 2 (0)
2023– Crusaders 16 (10)
Correct as of 5 November 2022
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2022 All Blacks XV 1 (0)
Correct as of 5 November 2022

Christian Javan Lio-Willie (born 26 August 1998) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Otago in the National Provincial Championship (NPC). His playing position is loose forward.

Early life

Lio-Willie attended Massey High School in Auckland.[1] Aged 18, he moved to Dunedin to attend the University of Otago.[2] He has played club rugby for Kaikorai RFC in Dunedin.[3]

Rugby career

Lio-Willie joined the Otago wider training squad in 2020;[4][5] however, he would not make an appearance that season.

In 2021 Lio-Willie made his debut for Otago in a 26-19 win against to Southland on 7 August where he made a rampaging break in the 78th minute that set up the winning try of the match.[6] On 15 October he played 42 minutes in a 24–13 win against Northland.[7]

Personal life

As of 2021, Lio-Willie is in his fifth year studying dentistry at the University of Otago. He is of Samoan descent.[2]

Reference list

  1. ^ "Past Student Achievement - Christian Lio-Willie". Massey High School. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b Cully, Paul (12 November 2021). "NPC: Ardie Savea-inspired dentist Christian Lio-Willie ready to put smile on Otago faces". Stuff. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  3. ^ Seconi, Adrian (21 May 2021). "No taking things for granted". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  4. ^ "Plenty of newcomers in Otago squad". Otago Daily Times. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  5. ^ Goile, Aaron (9 September 2020). "Mitre 10 Cup Championship preview: Who can earn promotion rights in 2020?". Stuff. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
  6. ^ "Otago v Southland live - National Provincial Championship". Stuff. 7 August 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Christian LEO-WILLIE - Player statistics - NPC 2021". Itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 22 October 2021.