David Lemi
Encyclopedia
David Lemi is a professional rugby player who plays on the wing
for Glasgow Warriors
in the RaboDirect Pro12 after signing from London Wasps
in November 2011. Weighing in at 75 kg and only measuring 1m75, he is one of the smaller professional rugby players. However, his electric pace and low centre of gravity enabled him to be the 2nd highest Premiership try scorer for 2005-06 season, and top scorer in 2006-07 season.
His skills and leadership made him one of the best ever 7s
player for his country
, and as well as representing the 7s side he has also played for the senior 15-a-side team
, and represented his nation at the 2007 World Cup
and the2011 World Cup
.
He caught Bristol coach Richard Hill's eye in the 2005 Safari Sevens
in Kenya and joined Bristol
on a one year deal.
Lemi quickly impressed in 2005-6 and scored 8 tries in 12 appearances, and having become a crowd favourite at the Memorial Stadium
. He signed a two year contract extension in spring 2006.
Despite Bristol Rugby's relegation at the end of the 2008–9 season, Lemi still managed to win The Sunday Times
Try of the Season Award for the try he scored against Bath Rugby
in the first game of the season. He was the joint second top try scorer in the 2008-09 Guinness Premiership
season.
Following Bristol's relegation it was confirmed in April that Lemi would be leaving the club. He was linked with Llanelli Scarlets
initially. However in May it was confirmed that Lemi had signed a contract with Wasps.
Wing
A wing is an appendage with a surface that produces lift for flight or propulsion through the atmosphere, or through another gaseous or liquid fluid...
for Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors
The Glasgow Warriors, formerly Glasgow Rugby, are one of two professional rugby union teams in Scotland, Edinburgh being the other. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12 and their home ground is Firhill Stadium, also the home of Partick Thistle Football Club.-History:Glasgow Rugby were created to...
in the RaboDirect Pro12 after signing from London Wasps
London Wasps
London Wasps is an English professional rugby union team. The men's first team, which forms London Wasps, was derived from Wasps Football Club who were formed in 1867 at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London, at the turn of professionalism in 1999...
in November 2011. Weighing in at 75 kg and only measuring 1m75, he is one of the smaller professional rugby players. However, his electric pace and low centre of gravity enabled him to be the 2nd highest Premiership try scorer for 2005-06 season, and top scorer in 2006-07 season.
His skills and leadership made him one of the best ever 7s
Rugby sevens
Rugby sevens, also known as seven-a-side or VIIs, is a variant of rugby union in which teams are made up of seven players, instead of the usual 15, with shorter matches. Rugby sevens is administered by the International Rugby Board , the body responsible for rugby union worldwide...
player for his country
Samoa national rugby union team (sevens)
The Samoa national rugby union team represent Samoa internationally in rugby sevens, a competitive sports tournament titled the IRB Sevens World Series which takes place annually in seven countries; United Arab Emirates, South Africa, New Zealand, United States, Hong Kong, Australia, England and...
, and as well as representing the 7s side he has also played for the senior 15-a-side team
Samoa national rugby union team
The Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was...
, and represented his nation at the 2007 World Cup
2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
and the2011 World Cup
2011 Rugby World Cup
The 2011 Rugby World Cup was the seventh Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. The International Rugby Board selected New Zealand as the host country in preference to Japan and South Africa at a meeting in Dublin on 17 November 2005...
.
He caught Bristol coach Richard Hill's eye in the 2005 Safari Sevens
Safari Sevens
The Safari Sevens, known as the Safaricom Sevens after main sponsors Safaricom is an annual rugby sevens tournament held in Kenya. The tournament is run by the Kenya Rugby Football Union...
in Kenya and joined Bristol
Bristol Rugby
Bristol Rugby is a rugby union club based in Bristol, England. The club currently plays in the RFU Championship and competes in the British and Irish Cup. They rely in large part on the many junior rugby clubs in the region, particularly those from 'the Combination'...
on a one year deal.
Lemi quickly impressed in 2005-6 and scored 8 tries in 12 appearances, and having become a crowd favourite at the Memorial Stadium
Memorial Stadium (Bristol)
The Memorial Stadium, also commonly known by its previous name of The Memorial Ground, is a sports ground in Bristol, England, dedicated to the memory of the rugby union players of the city killed during World War I...
. He signed a two year contract extension in spring 2006.
Despite Bristol Rugby's relegation at the end of the 2008–9 season, Lemi still managed to win The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times is a British Sunday newspaper.The Sunday Times may also refer to:*The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times...
Try of the Season Award for the try he scored against Bath Rugby
Bath Rugby
Bath Rugby is an English professional rugby union club that is based in the city of Bath. They play in the Aviva Premiership league...
in the first game of the season. He was the joint second top try scorer in the 2008-09 Guinness Premiership
2008-09 Guinness Premiership
-Table:-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-Round 4:-Round 5:-Round 6:-Round 7:-Round 8:-Round 9:-Round 10:-Round 11:-Round 12:-Rearranged fixtures:-Round 13:-Round 14:...
season.
Following Bristol's relegation it was confirmed in April that Lemi would be leaving the club. He was linked with Llanelli Scarlets
Llanelli Scarlets
The Scarlets are one of the four professional Welsh regional rugby union teams. Based in Llanelli, south-west Wales the team play at the Parc y Scarlets stadium. They play in the RaboDirect Pro12, as well as competing in the LV= Cup and the Heineken Cup...
initially. However in May it was confirmed that Lemi had signed a contract with Wasps.
External links
- David Lemi on bristolrugby.co.uk