Paul Whatuira
Encyclopedia
Paul Whatuira is a professional rugby league
footballer who currently plays for the Parramatta Eels
in the NRL. A New Zealand international centre, he won National Rugby League
premierships with the Penrith Panthers
and Wests Tigers
and most recently achieved success with the Huddersfield Giants
in the UK Super League.
, near Wellington, where he played with former Huddersfield teammate David Faiumu
. He also played rugby union
as a schoolboy. He followed the Canberra Raiders
as a child and idolised Mal Meninga
.
He represented Wellington in 1999.
He made his first grade debut for Auckland Warriors against Wests Tigers in the Leichhardt Oval
on 14 February 2000, in Round 2. He played in four other first grade games for the Warriors that season, before leaving the club at the end of the year. During the 2000 season he was occasionally released to the Wainuiomata Lions
and played in the Bartercard Cup
.
He spent 2001 at the Melbourne Storm
, playing in six first grade games.
in 2002 and became a first grade regular. He played on the wing in the Panthers side that won the 2003 NRL grand final
. His 2003 premiership ring was stolen from his home along with his DVD player in 2005. Two years later the police recovered the ring when they raided a suspected criminal's home.
victory over the North Queensland Cowboys
, gaining his second premiership ring.
Whatuira had a forgettable 2006, he was sin-binned in the Tigers' loss to the North Queensland Cowboys
in Townsville
just before half-time with Matt Sing
scoring in his absence. In the return match, he suffered a hamstring injury which was aggravated during the warm-up versus Brisbane Broncos
meaning he would not play for the rest of the campaign.
with the New South Wales Waratahs
, Whatuira instead moved to England and joined the Huddersfield Giants
in 2008 where he is contracted until the end of the 2010 season. Whatuira played in the Giants 2009 Challenge Cup
final appearance, where they lost to the Warrington Wolves
.
stated that "Paul Whatuira is a proved international performer who brings class and experience to our backline". However, Whatuira retired after just appearing in one game for the Eels.
on ten occasions between 2004 and 2006, including the 24-0 win over Australia at Elland Road
in the 2005 Tri Nations tournament, in which he scored a try. Whatuira was also selected in the 19-man squad for the one-off New Zealand vs Australia Centenary test in Wellington, New Zealand on 14 October 2007.
Whatuira is also eligible for the Cook Islands and was named in their train on squad for the 2000 World Cup
. He instead represented Aotearoa Māori
at the tournament.
Paul also posed alongside former Wests Tigers teammates Robbie Farah
and Dene Halatau
for the Naked For A Cause 2008-09 calendar for the McGrath Foundation
charity.
gun to subdue him. Whatuira spent 13 days in a secure psychiatric hospital after the incident which was reportedly related to sexual abuse he suffered as a child. Whatuira was not charged over the incident as under section two of the British Crimes Act, he is exempt from potential prosecution as he was deemed "mentally ill".
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...
footballer who currently plays for the Parramatta Eels
Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
in the NRL. A New Zealand international centre, he won National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
premierships with the Penrith Panthers
Penrith Panthers
The Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan...
and Wests Tigers
Wests Tigers
The Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Sydney's mid-western suburbs. They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs...
and most recently achieved success with the Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
in the UK Super League.
Early years
Whatuira played his junior rugby league at WainuiomataWainuiomata Lions
The Wainuiomata Lions are a New Zealand rugby league club based in Wainuiomata, Wellington. They compete in the Wellington Rugby League competition.-Noted Players:...
, near Wellington, where he played with former Huddersfield teammate David Faiumu
David Faiumu
David Faiumu is a professional rugby league footballer for the Huddersfield Giants of Super League...
. He also played rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
as a schoolboy. He followed the Canberra Raiders
Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982...
as a child and idolised Mal Meninga
Mal Meninga
Malcolm Norman Meninga AM is an Australian former rugby league test captain and current coach of Queensland's State of Origin team. As a player he was a legendary goal-kicking centre, counted amongst the finest footballers of the 20th century...
.
He represented Wellington in 1999.
Auckland Warriors
Whatuira left Wellington at 17 to join the Auckland Warriors.He made his first grade debut for Auckland Warriors against Wests Tigers in the Leichhardt Oval
Leichhardt Oval
Leichhardt Oval is a football stadium in Leichhardt, New South Wales, Australia. It is a home ground for the Wests Tigers rugby league team. The stadium has a nominal capacity of 20,000, with recorded highest crowd figures of 23,000 in the 1981 KB Tooth final South Sydney Rabbitohs versus...
on 14 February 2000, in Round 2. He played in four other first grade games for the Warriors that season, before leaving the club at the end of the year. During the 2000 season he was occasionally released to the Wainuiomata Lions
Wainuiomata Lions
The Wainuiomata Lions are a New Zealand rugby league club based in Wainuiomata, Wellington. They compete in the Wellington Rugby League competition.-Noted Players:...
and played in the Bartercard Cup
Bartercard Cup
The Bartercard Cup was the top level rugby league club competition in New Zealand from 2000 until 2007. For the entire life of the tournament it was sponsored by Bartercard. The cup was administered by the New Zealand Rugby League...
.
He spent 2001 at the Melbourne Storm
Melbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
, playing in six first grade games.
Penrith Panthers
Whatuira joined the Penrith PanthersPenrith Panthers
The Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan...
in 2002 and became a first grade regular. He played on the wing in the Panthers side that won the 2003 NRL grand final
2003 NRL grand final
The 2003 NRL grand final was the conclusive and premiership-deciding match of the 2003 NRL season. In what was a contest of Sydney's east versus west, defending premiers and match favourites, the Sydney Roosters played against minor premiers and underdogs, the Penrith Panthers...
. His 2003 premiership ring was stolen from his home along with his DVD player in 2005. Two years later the police recovered the ring when they raided a suspected criminal's home.
Wests Tigers
Whatuira joined the Wests Tigers in 2005 and played at centre in the Tigers' 2005 NRL Grand Final2005 NRL Grand Final
The 2005 NRL Grand Final was the conclusive and premiership-deciding game of the 2005 National Rugby League season. It was played on the night of Sunday, 2 October at Sydney's Telstra Stadium between 4th-placed Wests Tigers and 5th-placed North Queensland Cowboys, the only two clubs in the...
victory over 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...
, gaining his second premiership ring.
Whatuira had a forgettable 2006, he was sin-binned in the Tigers' loss to 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...
in Townsville
Dairy Farmers Stadium
The Willows Sports Complex, currently known as Dairy Farmers Stadium due to sponsorship rights, is a grass football stadium situated in Townsville, Queensland, Australia. It has historically been used mainly for rugby league, and is the home ground of the National Rugby League club the North...
just before half-time with Matt Sing
Matt Sing
Matthew Charles Sing is an Australian semi-retired professional rugby league footballer for the Central Comets in the Queensland Cup. His first grade career spanned much of the 1990s and 2000s...
scoring in his absence. In the return match, he suffered a hamstring injury which was aggravated during the warm-up versus Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
meaning he would not play for the rest of the campaign.
Huddersfield Giants
After considering a switch to rugby unionRugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
with the New South Wales Waratahs
New South Wales Waratahs
The New South Wales Waratahs are an Australian rugby union football team, representing the majority of New South Wales in the Super 15 Super Rugby competition...
, Whatuira instead moved to England and joined the Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
in 2008 where he is contracted until the end of the 2010 season. Whatuira played in the Giants 2009 Challenge Cup
2009 Challenge Cup
The 2009 Carnegie Challenge Cup began in January 2009. The Challenge Cup is the most prestigious knock-out competition in European rugby league. Teams from England, Scotland, Wales, France and Russia are included in the tournament....
final appearance, where they lost to the Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
.
Parramatta Eels
On 21 December 2010 Whatuira signed a one year deal with the Parramatta Eels for the 2011 season. Whatuira is expected to fill the void left in the backline by departing senior players Eric Grothe and Timana Tahu. Eels CEO Paul OsbornePaul Osborne
Paul Osborne is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer, administrator and politician. He played first-grade rugby league for the St George Dragons and Canberra Raiders before serving as a member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly from 1995 until 2001...
stated that "Paul Whatuira is a proved international performer who brings class and experience to our backline". However, Whatuira retired after just appearing in one game for the Eels.
Representative career
Whatuira represented the New Zealand national teamNew 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...
on ten occasions between 2004 and 2006, including the 24-0 win over Australia at Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
in the 2005 Tri Nations tournament, in which he scored a try. Whatuira was also selected in the 19-man squad for the one-off New Zealand vs Australia Centenary test in Wellington, New Zealand on 14 October 2007.
Whatuira is also eligible for the Cook Islands and was named in their train on squad for the 2000 World Cup
2000 Rugby League World Cup
The 2000 Rugby League World Cup was the twelfth staging of the Rugby League World Cup and was held during October and November of that year in Great Britain, Ireland and France...
. He instead represented Aotearoa Māori
New Zealand Maori rugby league team
-See also:* New Zealand national rugby league team* New Zealand Māori rugby union team* New Zealand Māori cricket team-External links:* Google Books...
at the tournament.
Charity work
During 2006, Paul posed for the Naked Rugby League 2007-08 charity calendar, which was produced to raise money for the National Breast Cancer Foundation of Australia.Paul also posed alongside former Wests Tigers teammates Robbie Farah
Robbie Farah
Robert Peter "Robbie" Farah is an Australian professional rugby league player for the Wests Tigers club in the National Rugby League competition. He primarily plays at hooker and can operate as a half-back...
and Dene Halatau
Dene Halatau
Dene Halatau is a professional rugby league footballer for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the National Rugby League . A New Zealand international representative forward, he previously played club football for the Wests Tigers, with whom he won the 2005 NRL Premiership.-Bipgraphy:Halatau is...
for the Naked For A Cause 2008-09 calendar for the McGrath Foundation
McGrath Foundation
The McGrath Foundation is a breast cancer support and education charity in Australia, funding McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia as well as educating young women to be breast-aware...
charity.
Arrest
On 13 October 2009, Whatuira was arrested and underwent a psychiatric assessment after he allegedly assaulted two men. Police used a TaserTaser
A Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles. Its manufacturer, Taser International, calls the effects "neuromuscular incapacitation" and the devices' mechanism "Electro-Muscular Disruption technology"...
gun to subdue him. Whatuira spent 13 days in a secure psychiatric hospital after the incident which was reportedly related to sexual abuse he suffered as a child. Whatuira was not charged over the incident as under section two of the British Crimes Act, he is exempt from potential prosecution as he was deemed "mentally ill".