Salesi Tu'ipulotu Piutau (born 31 October 1991), often known as Charles Piutau, is a professional rugby union player who plays as a fullback for Japan Rugby League One club Shizuoka Blue Revs.
 Piutau representing Bristol Bears during the Gallagher Premiership | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Salesi Tu'ipulotu Piutau | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 31 October 1991 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Auckland, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 100 kg (220 lb; 15 st 10 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Wesley College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Siale Piutau (brother) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Born in New Zealand to Tongan parents, he represented both Tonga and New Zealand at Under-20 level. He won 17 senior caps for New Zealand between 2013 and 2015. He made his debut for Tonga in 2022, following a change in eligibility rules, and has since won 5 caps.
Early life
editPiutau was born in New Zealand to Tongan parents. He grew up on the Auckland suburb of Māngere and attended Wesley College.[1] He is the youngest of 10 children.[2]
In 2010, Piutau represented Tonga at the IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina. Piutau was the top try scorer for the New Zealand Under-20s in their 2011 World Championship-winning campaign.
Charles played club rugby for Pakuranga United Rugby Club. He is the younger brother of ex Bristol Bears centre Siale Piutau.
Club career
editPiutau made his debut for Auckland in 2010.[3] He was brought into the Blues squad in 2012 and confirmed as fullback in 2014.[4]
On 1 April 2015, it was announced Piutau would join Irish club Ulster from the start of the 2016–17 season.[5]
Piutau signed for English club Wasps in the Aviva Premiership during the 2015–16 season.[6] During his season at Wasps, Piutau had a strong impact. He scored a try in the 80th minute against Exeter Chiefs in the European Rugby Champions Cup quarter-final to help Wasps reach the semi-final. Piutau was nominated for the Aviva Premiership Player of the Season and was named in the Team of the Season.
In August 2017, Ulster confirmed that Piutau would be leaving the province at the end of the 2017–18 Pro14 season to join Bristol Bears.[7]
International career
editPiutau joined the All Blacks training squad during the 2013 Super Rugby season. On 22 June, he made his test debut against France in New Plymouth. He was not selected for the 2015 World Cup, a factor in his decision to move to play club rugby in Europe.[8]
Personal life
editPiutau married in July 2018.[9]
Piutau has invested in multiple houses in Auckland New Zealand, Singapore, Australia and the United Kingdom.[10]
Career statistics
editInternational analysis by opposition
edit| Opposition | Played | Win | Loss | Draw | Tries | Points | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1.000 |
| Australia | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| England | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Fiji | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
| France | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1.000 |
| Japan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 1.000 |
| Samoa | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Scotland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| South Africa | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| United States | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1.000 |
| Wales | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| Career | 18 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 25 | .944 |
References
edit- ^ Kitson, Robert (9 January 2021). "Bristol's Charles Piutau: 'I'd love to play in a Pacific Islanders team'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
- ^ "Piutau on leaving New Zealand to become a trailblazer in England". 4 January 2019.
- ^ "Piutau the new breed of fullback". Stuff. 24 October 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ "Rugby: Piutau finds home at fullback for Blues". Otago Daily Times. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- ^ "Ulster complete signing of All Black Charles Piutau". BBC Sport. 1 April 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
- ^ "Wasps sign former All-Black versatile back Charles Piutau". BBC Sport. 17 September 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2015.
- ^ "Shock Bristol move for Piutau". Planet Rugby. 10 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
- ^ "Piutau on leaving New Zealand to become a trailblazer in England". 4 January 2019.
- ^ "Piutau on leaving New Zealand to become a trailblazer in England". 4 January 2019.
- ^ "Piutau on leaving New Zealand to become a trailblazer in England". 4 January 2019.
- ^ "Rugby Union – ESPN Scrum – Statsguru – Player analysis – Charles Piutau – Test matches".
External links
edit- Charles Piutau at the World Rugby Men's Sevens Series
- Charles Piutau at Premiership Rugby
- Charles Piutau at ESPNscrum
- Charles Piutau at ItsRugby.co.uk
- Blues player profile at the Wayback Machine (archived 9 February 2013)
- Auckland player profile
