Iosia Soliola
Encyclopedia
Iosia Soliola is a New Zealand international rugby league
player currently playing for the St. Helens in the Super League
. He is of Samoan
descent.
in which he won a premiership with the Roosters in 2004.
In 2005, Soliola made his first grade debut for the Roosters against South Sydney
and went on to play 19 games for the club that season, crossing the line 6 times and making more tackles than any other centre in the game that year with 19.7 per game.
He was chosen to make his international debut at the age of 19 for New Zealand
in the Tri-nations series
of 2005, however was forced to pull out due to injury.
Soliola then went on to represent New Zealand in the 2006 Tri-nations tournament
. In 5 games, Soliola scored 4 tries including a double against the Australians
at the Telstra Dome
in Melbourne
.
, and in September, 2008 he was selected in the final 24-man New Zealand. He was forced to withdraw from the squad due to a shoulder injury.
club St. Helens midway through the 2009 NRL Season. Soliola played his last match for the tri colours against the North Queensland Cowboys
, ending his 6 year stint with the famous club. Soliola also represented the Kiwis in the 2009 Four Nations tournament.
against England
at Headingley on 10
June 2011.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
player currently playing for the St. Helens in the Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
. He is of Samoan
Samoans
The Samoan people are a Polynesian ethnic group of the Samoan Islands, sharing genetics, language, history and culture. Due to colonialism, the home islands are politically and geographically divided between the country of Samoa, official name Independent State of Samoa ; and American Samoa, an...
descent.
Playing career
After making his debut in Jersey Flegg, Soliola moved onto Premier LeagueNew South Wales Premier League
The New South Wales Premier League is the highest state-level men's soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. Nationally, it is considered one grade lower than the A-League...
in which he won a premiership with the Roosters in 2004.
In 2005, Soliola made his first grade debut for the Roosters against South Sydney
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
and went on to play 19 games for the club that season, crossing the line 6 times and making more tackles than any other centre in the game that year with 19.7 per game.
He was chosen to make his international debut at the age of 19 for New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
in the Tri-nations series
Rugby League Tri-Nations
The Rugby League Tri-Nations was a rugby league tournament involving the top three nations in the sport: Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand...
of 2005, however was forced to pull out due to injury.
Soliola then went on to represent New Zealand in the 2006 Tri-nations tournament
2006 Rugby League Tri-Nations
The 2006 Rugby League Tri-Nations was hosted for the second time by Australia and New Zealand. Sponsored by Gillette the tournament followed the same format as in 2004 and 2005, with each team meeting the other two teams twice, and the top two teams at the end of the group stages proceeding to the...
. In 5 games, Soliola scored 4 tries including a double against the Australians
Australian national rugby league team
The Australian national rugby league team have represented Australia in senior men's rugby league football competition since the establishment of the game in Australia in 1908. Administered by the Australian Rugby League, the Kangaroos' are ranked number one in the RLIF World Rankings...
at the Telstra Dome
Telstra Dome
Docklands Stadium is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands precinct of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
.
2007
Soliola was dropped to premier league in the middle of the 2007 season before returning to first grade in round 14 and regained his form before he badly injured his knee in round 22 against the West Tigers. He missed the rest of the 2007 season.2008
Soliola returned from his lengthy spell on the sidelines in the off season to come off the bench in the Roosters' opening centenary clash against South Sydney in round 1. He also represented the Kiwis in the 100 year centenary test match where he scored one try.2008 World Cup
In August, 2008 Soliola was named in the New Zealand training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
, and in September, 2008 he was selected in the final 24-man New Zealand. He was forced to withdraw from the squad due to a shoulder injury.
2009
The Sydney Roosters confirmed that Soliola had signed a three year deal to play with English Super LeagueSuper League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
club St. Helens midway through the 2009 NRL Season. Soliola played his last match for the tri colours against the North Queensland Cowboys
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
, ending his 6 year stint with the famous club. Soliola also represented the Kiwis in the 2009 Four Nations tournament.
2010
Soliola officially made his debut for St. Helens in 2010 making the 2010 engage super league championship final.Rugby League International Origin Match
Iosia Soliola was selected for the Exiles squad for the Rugby League International Origin MatchRugby League International Origin Match
The Rugby League International Origin Match is an annual rugby league fixture between the English national side and an Exiles side consisting of foreign players currently playing in the English Super League competition. The match was held for the first time at Headingley Carnegie Stadium in Leeds...
against England
England national rugby league team
The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...
at Headingley on 10
June 2011.