Tevita Vaikona was born on 18 August 1974 and is a Tongan professional rugby league and rugby union footballer, a winger who played rugby league and picked up many honours before switching codes to rugby union.
19 Facts About Tevita Vaikona
1.
2.
In 2002, Vaikona was voted best rugby league winger in the world.
3.
Tevita Vaikona started playing rugby league when he was studying in Christchurch, New Zealand, at Lincoln University.
4.
Tevita Vaikona made the Junior Kiwis in 1994 and in 1994 Vaikona played for the Canterbury Country Cardinals in the Lion Red Cup and represented both Canterbury, New Zealand Universities and the New Zealand Residents.
5.
Tevita Vaikona moved to Hull FC in 1994 and played alongside fellow Cantabrian Shane Endacott.
6.
Tevita Vaikona was selected for Tonga in the 1995 World Cup.
7.
Tevita Vaikona played for the Bradford Bulls on the wing in the 1999 Super League Grand Final which was lost to St Helens.
8.
Tevita Vaikona played for Tonga in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup and was his country's top try-scorer for the tournament.
9.
Tevita Vaikona played for the Bradford Bulls on the wing in their 2001 Super League Grand Final victory over the Wigan Warriors.
10.
Tevita Vaikona was a Junior Kiwi and was called up for New Zealand in 2002 but did not play a match.
11.
Tevita Vaikona played for the Bradford Bulls on the wing in their 2002 Super League Grand Final loss against St Helens.
12.
Tevita Vaikona played for the Bradford Bulls on the wing in their 2003 Super League Grand Final victory over the Wigan Warriors.
13.
Tevita Vaikona joined North London-based Saracens from Bradford Bulls in 2004 and went on to score a try on his debut a few months later.
14.
Tevita Vaikona was not selected for the squad for the 2007 World Cup.
15.
Tevita Vaikona is a rugby sevens athlete, having represented Tonga in the Commonwealth games and both the Bradford Bulls and the Saracens in the Twickenham sevens.
16.
Tevita Vaikona was named Player of the Season during his first year at the Saracens.
17.
Tevita Vaikona is known for his offloading ability, which has led to numerous tries for his club.
18.
In February 2008 Tevita Vaikona signed for Hull Rugby Union Football Club on a two-year contract and made a try scoring debut against Birkenhead Park on 1 March 2008.
19.
Tevita Vaikona worked as the Director of Rugby at Hull Rugby Union Football Club and later as the Director of Sport at Bishop Burton College in the East Riding.