Ratu Peni Tagive (born 3 October 1988) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played for the Sydney Roosters in the Australian National Rugby League (NRL) competition. Tagive primarily played on the wing.[4] Although a large winger, Tagive was a speedy athlete, recording 6.79 seconds over 60 metres.[5] Tagive's parents are Fijian and African-American.[6]
 Tagive with the Newton Jets | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Ratu Peni Tagive | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 3 October 1988 Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 192 cm (6 ft 4 in)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 99 kg (15 st 8 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby league | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Wing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby union | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Relatives | Ratu Tagive (brother) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
He is the older brother of rugby league & union player Ratu Tagive.
Early life
editTagive was born in Campbelltown, New South Wales. Tagive played junior football with the East Campbelltown Eagles. He played S.G.Ball and Jersey Flegg for Western Suburbs Magpies before selection on the undefeated 2006 Australian Schoolboy tour alongside Tiger's teammate Chris Lawrence.[7] Tagive was side-lined during 2007 following a shoulder reconstruction.
Rugby League career
editTagive made his first-grade debut in round 1 of the 2008 season, playing for Wests Tigers against St George Illawarra Dragons.[8]
Tagive was named in the Fiji training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup,[9][10] but was not selected to play.
In July, 2009 it was announced that Tagive had signed with the Dragons for two years from 2010 onwards.[11] In his first trial match for the Dragons, he suffered an injury to his knee that was to rule him out for the season.[12] By the time Tagive made his debut for his new club, in round 9 of 2011, he had undergone 5 major surgeries, including 2 shoulder reconstructions.[13]
It was revealed on 3 August 2011 that Tagive had signed a two-year deal with the Sydney Roosters after the Dragons had released him from the final year of his contract.[14] He played five games in first grade, for one win, in the middle of the 2012 season before injuring his hamstring. He ended the year playing for feeder team Newtown Jets that won the NSW Cup grand final.[15]
At the end of 2012, Tagive retired, stating a desire to focus on his studies. "I want to thank everyone at the club for their support through the year and for supporting the decision I have made for my future, as I look ahead to life after footy," he said.[15]
American football
editTagive later moved to the United States to play collegiate American football at Baylor University. He was a defensive-end for the Baylor Bears.[16]
Rugby Union
editSince returning to Australia, he has been playing rugby union for Wests in Canberra. In August 2015, he was named in the Canberra Vikings for the 2015 National Rugby Championship.
References
edit- ^ Andrew Webster (12 March 2008). "Eels tell TT to put heat on Hayne". Fairfax Digital. Archived from the original on 15 March 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2008.
- ^ Rugby League Project
- ^ League Central
- ^ James Hooper (16 March 2008). "Sheens unveils Tuqiri double". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved 16 March 2008.
- ^ Adrian Proszenko (28 February 2008). "Flying Fijian to make name for himself". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved 16 March 2008. [dead link]
- ^ Christian Nicolussi (14 March 2008). "Benji's in best shape of his life". Fox Sports News (Australia). Retrieved 5 March 2009.
- ^ "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust". Queensland Rugby League. 2006. Archived from the original on 23 July 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2008.
- ^ "Player Page: Peni Tagive". NRL Stats. Retrieved 11 October 2008. [dead link]
- ^ "Bati pencil in new Newcastle pace ace Uate". Fiji Times Online. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2008.
- ^ "Fijian preliminary squad". RLWC08.com. 6 August 2008. Archived from the original on 10 August 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2008.
- ^ James Phelps (5 July 2009). "Dragons master coach signs Tigers' Tuqiri clone". Courier Mail. Australia. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
- ^ Steve Jancetic (20 February 2010). "Dragons too good for Bulldogs". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
- ^ Josh Rakic (1 May 2011). "Tagive hoping to avoid any more hospital passes". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
- ^ "Roosters sign Dragons flyer". Sydney Roosters. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 3 August 2011.
- ^ a b "Roosters winger Tagive retires". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
- ^ Peni Tagive Archived 14 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine baylorbears.com