Casey Laulala

Casey Laulala
Laulala in 2015
Birth nameCasey Daniel Eti Laulala
Date of birth (1982-05-03) 3 May 1982 (age 42)
Place of birthApia, Samoa
Height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight101 kg (15.9 st; 223 lb)
SchoolWesley College, Pukekohe
Notable relative(s)Nepo Laulala (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009–2012 Cardiff Blues 65 (75)
2012–2014 Munster 51 (20)
2014–2018 Racing 92 55 (30)
Correct as of 19 May 2017
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2001–2002 Manukau 23 (0)
2003–2009

Canterbury

Marist Albian Beacons 2023		 48 (65)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2004–2009 Crusaders 61 (100)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2004–2007 New Zealand 3 (5)
2013–2014 Barbarians 2 (5)
Correct as of 1 June 2014

Casey Daniel Eti Laulala (born 3 May 1982) is a Samoan-born New Zealand former rugby union player.

Career

Born and raised in Samoa, Laulala started boarding at Wesley College when he was 15.[1]

Laulala made his test debut for New Zealand during the team's November–December 2004 end of year tour against Wales. He has played three games for the All Blacks, including two tests. Laulala played for the Crusaders Super 14 team and for Canterbury during the Air New Zealand Cup. Laulala attended Wesley College, Auckland for his schooling.

Laulala scored the match winning try for his side during the 2006 Super 14 Final, the match nicknamed "Fog Final" because of the dense fog. The next day he was recalled to the All Blacks, being named in the squad to play Ireland. He later went on to earn his second Test cap against Ireland in Auckland.

Cardiff Blues

Laulala signed for Welsh side Cardiff Blues for the 2009/10 season.[2] He won the European Challenge Cup with the side in May 2010. Laulala scored 14 tries during his 58 appearances for the club.[3]

Munster

On 9 February 2012, Munster Rugby confirmed Laulala as their second major signing for the 2012/13 season, alongside Northampton's Irish centre James Downey.[4] He arrived to join up with Munster in May 2012.[5]

Laulala made his full Munster debut on 1 September 2012, starting at outside centre in his side's opening 2012–13 Pro 12 fixture against Edinburgh.[6] He scored his first try for Munster on 2 November 2012, against his old club Cardiff Blues.[7] Laulala scored his second try for Munster on 30 March 2013, in a heavy loss to Glasgow Warriors.[8]

He won the Man-of-the-Match award for Munster in their 10–31 away win against Cardiff Blues on 23 November 2013.[9] It was confirmed on 15 December 2013 that Laulala would be leaving Munster at the end of the 2013–14 season.[10] Laulala scored a try in Munster's 47-23 Heineken Cup quarter-final win against Toulouse on 5 April 2014.[11] He was named in the 2013-14 Pro 12 Team of the Season on 5 May 2014.[12]

Racing 92

Laulala currently plays for French Top 14 side Racing 92.[13]

Barbarians

On 23 May 2013, Laulala was named in the Barbarians team to face England on 26 May.[14] He also played against the British & Irish Lions in their opening tour fixture on 1 June 2013.

References

  1. ^ "Following the footsteps of Lomu".
  2. ^ "Blues sign wing James and Laulala". BBC Sport. 22 July 2009. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  3. ^ "New Zealand centre Casey Laulala leaving Blues for Munster". BBC Sport. 2 September 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  4. ^ "Laulala Joining Munster". munsterrugby.ie. 9 February 2012. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
  5. ^ "Downey and Laulala in Cork". munsterrugby.ie. 17 May 2012. Archived from the original on 20 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  6. ^ "Munster Show True Grit". munsterrugby.ie. 1 September 2012. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  7. ^ "Laulala's Try Wins It". munsterrugby.ie. 2 November 2012. Archived from the original on 1 April 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  8. ^ "Munster Lose The Plot and the Game". munsterrugby.ie. 30 March 2013. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  9. ^ "Munster Claim Cardiff Victory". munsterrugby.ie. 23 November 2013. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  10. ^ "Laulala Move Confirmed". munsterrugby.ie. 15 December 2013. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  11. ^ "Vintage Munster March On". munsterrugby.ie. 5 April 2014. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  12. ^ "Kilcoyne And Laulala Named in Dream Team". munsterrugby.ie. 5 May 2014. Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  13. ^ "Laulala honour shows Munster new boy size of boots to fill". Irish Examiner. 6 May 2014. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  14. ^ "Tindall to Face England". planetrugby.com. 23 May 2013. Archived from the original on 8 June 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2013.