Malgene Ilaua

Malgene Ilaua (マルジーン・イラウア) (born 5 June 1993) is a Japanese international rugby union player who plays as a flanker.^[1] He currently plays for the Sunwolves in Super Rugby and Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan's domestic Top League.^[2][3]

Malgene Ilaua

Full name	Malgene Olando Ilaua
Date of birth	(1993-06-05) 5 June 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth	Auckland, New Zealand
Height	1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	105 kg (16 st 7 lb; 231 lb)
School	Kelston Boys' High School (NZ)
University	Teikyo University
Notable relative(s)	Wife (Chantè Ilaua)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker, Number 8 Current team Shizuoka Blue Revs Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2016 Toshiba Brave Lupus 10 (2) 2017 Sunwolves 5 (0) 2019 Counties Manukau 9 (10) 2020–2021 Coca-Cola Red Sparks 2 (0) 2021– Shizuoka Blue Revs () Correct as of 22 February 2021 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2016–2017 Japan 7 (5) Correct as of 22 February 2021

Club career

Born and raised in New Zealand, Ilaua came to Japan to attend Teikyo University. Upon graduation he signed for the Toshiba Brave Lupus ahead of the 2016–17 Top League season.^[4]

International

After just 7 Top League appearances, Ilaua received his first call-up to Japan's senior squad ahead of the 2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals. He debuted as a second-half replacement in new head coach, Jamie Joseph's first game, a 54–20 loss at home to Argentina.^[1]