Halatoa Vailea
| Born | February 14, 1999 Tonga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 105 kg (16 st 7 lb; 231 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Kashiwa High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Nippon Sport Science University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Halatoa Vailea (プロフィール); born February 14, 1999) is a Tongan Japanese-raised rugby union player[1] who currently plays as a centre or wing for the Kubota Spears in Japan's League One.[2]
Early career
[edit | edit source]Vailea is from Tonga before moving to Japan for schooling, where he attended Kashiwa High School.[3] After school, he moved to Japan to study at Nippon Sport Science University where he also played rugby between 2018 and 2022, playing originally as a loose forward.[4] Having been schooled in Japan and being eligible on residency grounds, he represented Japan at U19 level, scoring a hat-trick against Ireland,[5] In the same year he represented Japan U20.[6]
Professional career
[edit | edit source]Vailea signed for Kubota Spears in 2022.[7] Having made 28 appearances in his first three seasons, he had a break out season in 2025, scoring eleven tries, the fifth most in the competition.[8] His performances earned him selection for the Japan national side, making his debut against Wales scoring a try.[9] In October of the same year, he represented Japan XV in their match against Australia A.[10]
References
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External links
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- 1999 births
- Living people
- Japanese rugby union players
- Japan international rugby union players
- Tongan rugby union players
- Rugby union wings
- Rugby union centres
- Kubota Spears players
- Nippon Sport Science University alumni
- Naturalised rugby union players
- Naturalized citizens of Japan
- 21st-century Japanese sportsmen
- Japanese rugby union biography stubs