City v Country junior rugby: City U16 gun Sam Niumataiwalu following in fast footsteps in rugby
He’s got footy running through his veins with a father and rugby and rugby league dual code international uncle playing the game at a high level. Now this teen is out to make his own mark.
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When he was young Sam Niumataiwalu would listen to his father and uncle’s stories about playing rugby and be enthralled.
Now the 16-year-old is hoping to write his own story in the sport.
Niumataiwalu has been selected to play for City against Country in the under 16 game at Bathurst on Sunday. PREVIEW, SQUADS
It’s is another opportunity for the teenager and his teammates and rivals to impress selections pulling together the Gen Blue U16 squad.
“My goal is to make the Gen Blue under 16 team and keep progressing from there,” said the Cronulla high student.
“My dream is to play rugby as a career. To play for Australia.’’
His uncle David Niumataiwalu, better known as David Niu, was a dual code Australian-American international rugby league and rugby union player, while father Mark also played both sports with the Manly Marlins.
“My first sport was soccer and then my brother started playing footy because of my dad and so I followed him into it,” Niumataiwalu said.
“Dad told us some stories about playing, what happened and some of the memories and that’s all I wanted to do, was play the game.
“I love rugby, I love playing with my mates, I love the way it makes me feel.
“Dad played rugby union and rugby league with Manly Marlins and St George and my uncle David with the Dragons in league and rugby union for America.’’
The 16-year-old started his rugby career with the Burraneer Dolphins and is now playing Colts at Southern Districts.
He also played Green Shield cricket for Sutherland over summer.
Niumataiwalu has numerous Southern District teammates in the NSW Junior Rugby City squad in Lama Afu, Laurence Talatauna, Chris Alaelua, Cameron Mackenzie, Jonathan Matualoto and Nate Glendinning.
CITY U16 SQUAD
1 Dempsey Connor Northern Suburbs, 2 Warner James Northern Suburbs, 3 Christodoulou Daniel West Harbour, 4 Niulala Samuel Northern Suburbs, 5 Paull Cameron Manly, 6 Cleverley Luca Randwick, 7 Aboud Oliver Randwick, 8 Mackenzie Cameron Southern Districts, 9 Howells Taite Eastwood, 10 Glendinning Nate Southern Districts, 11 Farr-Jones Tom Randwick, 12 Afu Lama Southern Districts, 13 Talataina Laurence Southern Districts, 14 Alaelua Chris Southern Districts, 15 Warner Baxter Manly, 16 Harvison Felix Manly, 17 Matualoto Jonathan Southern Districts, 18 Sete-Falemaka Luini Randwick, 19 Filipo Ethan Western Sydney Two Blues, 20 Logo Ezekiel Western Sydney Two Blues 21 Niumataiwalu Samuel, Southern Districts, 22 Jecks Tye Warringah, 23 Rinakama Jethro West Harbour.
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Originally published as City v Country junior rugby: City U16 gun Sam Niumataiwalu following in fast footsteps in rugby
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