Maama Vaipulu

Maama Vaipulu (born 21 July 1989) is a New Zealand rugby player of Tongan descent. He represented Counties Manukau and the Chiefs in New Zealand and Tonga on an international level. Currently he plays in the number 8 and occasionally flanker position for the France based Top 14 side, Castres.^[2][3][4]

Maama Vaipulu

Full name	Maama 'oe Mo'ui Vaipulu
Date of birth	(1989-07-21) 21 July 1989 (age 36)
Place of birth	Kawakawa, New Zealand
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight	112 kg (17 st 9 lb; 247 lb)
School	Wesley College
Notable relative(s)	Lemeki Vaipulu (father)[1]
Rugby union career
Position(s) Number 8 Current team Castres Senior career Years Team Apps Points 2012–2015 Counties Manukau 40 (55) 2015–2016 Chiefs 18 (0) 2016– Castres 65 (45) Correct as of 11 September 2019 International career Years Team Apps Points 2017– Tonga 8 (0) Correct as of 11 September 2019

Career

Vaipulu started his professional career with the Counties Manukau Steelers during the 2012 ITM Cup, playing in the number eight position he immediately became a regular in the starting 15 and helped his side to become established in the ITM Cup Premiership. His physical play and explosiveness for the Steelers saw him named in the Chiefs squad for the 2015 Super Rugby season.^[5][6]

As of 2016 Vaipulu has been with Castres Olympique in France where they took out the French title in 2018 and representing Tonga's 'Ikale Tahi team in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan where they finished 4th in their round after a win against USA.

Honours

Club

Castres

• Top 14: 2017–18^[7]