Yee-Huang "Young" Tonumaipea (born 6 September 1992) is a Samoan professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre or winger for the Melbourne Storm.
Tonumaipea played for Melbourne's S. G. Ball Cup team in 2009 and their NYC team in 2011 and 2012.[4] At the end of 2012, Tonumaipea won Melbourne's NYC player of the year award.
In February 2014, Tonumaipea was included in Melbourne's inaugural 2014 Auckland Nines squad.[6] In round 1 of the 2014 NRL season, Tonumaipea made his NRL debut for the Melbourne Storm against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on the wing in Melbourne's 23–22 golden point win.[7] In round 3, against the Newcastle Knights, Tonumaipea scored his first NRL career try in Melbourne's 28–20 win at AAMI Park.[8] In round 6, in a match against the St George Illawarra Dragons, Tonumaipea scored a try after the full-time siren to win to the game for Melbourne 28–24 after they had been behind 24–10 in the second half.[9] Tonumaipea was selected to play for Samoa in the 3 May 2014 Pacific Rugby League International against Fiji. Tonumaipea played on the wing in the 32–16 win at Penrith Stadium; Tonumaipea had a try disallowed in the match.[10] On 28 May 2014, Tonumaipea re-signed with the Melbourne club for a further two years, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2016 season.[11] Tonumaipea finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 14 matches and scoring three tries for Melbourne.
Tonumaipea was named in Melbourne's 2017 Auckland Nines squad and he was co-captain for the Storm with Kenny Bromwich. On 5 February at 2017 Auckland Nines against the Newcastle Knights, he scored a try in the 20–10 win, a try in Melbourne's 25–12 win at the quarter-finals against the North Queensland Cowboys and a try in Melbourne's 16–21 loss over the Sydney Roosters in the semi-final at Eden Park. He played five matches and scored three tries in the Nines tournament, while in the NRL, he played seven matches scoring two tries.
Tonumaipea signed a train and trial deal with the Gold Coast Titans.[14] He made his debut for the Gold Coast in their 28–23 win against the Wests Tigers, playing in the centres.
2022 - present: Melbourne Storm
In June 2022, Tonumaipea rejoined Melbourne Storm, signing a train and trial contract following the completion of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season where he played for Melbourne Rebels.[15][16] Following a four-year absence, Tonumaipea featured twice for Melbourne during the 2022 season scoring two tries.[17]
Tonumaipea played nine games for Melbourne in the 2023 NRL season as they finished third on the table. He played in the clubs 26-0 qualifying finals loss to Brisbane which caused him to be demoted from the team and replaced by Justin Olam for the semi-final against the Sydney Roosters.[18]
In October 2020, Tonumaipea returned to Melbourne, but this time signing a contract with Super Rugby franchise Melbourne Rebels.[19] He played two seasons with the Rebels before returning to the NRL.[20][21]