Quentin Pongia
Encyclopedia
Quentin Lee Pongia is a New Zealand former rugby league
footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who represented his country. He is the grandson of fellow Kiwi international Jim Calder
and his sister Megan Tahapeehi has also represented the Kiwi Ferns.
, Pongia transferred east in 1988 and played in the Canterbury Rugby League
competition, representing the province in 1991 and 1992.
Pongia later played for the Canberra Raiders
, Auckland Warriors and the Sydney Roosters
in the National Rugby League
before heading to France. Pongia went to France as player coach of Paris Chattilon, but it didn’t work out and he moved to Villeneuve, winning both the Championship
and the Lord Derby Cup
with the side.
In 2003, after the French season had finished, Pongia returned to Australia and played two matches for the St. George Illawarra Dragons. He then finished his career in England playing for the Wigan Warriors
. He was forced to retire from rugby league after it was discovered that he suffered from hepatitis B.
international and played at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup
. He played in 35 tests and was the NZRL
player of the year in 1998.
team for the 2010 season. During the 2009 Four Nations Pongia was an assistant trainer and mentor for the New Zealand Kiwis. He was replaced as a Raiders assistant coach for the 2012 season by Justin Morgan
.
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 of the 1990s and 2000s who represented his country. He is the grandson of fellow Kiwi international Jim Calder
Jim Calder (rugby league)
William James "Jim" Calder is a New Zealand rugby league player who represented his country. His grandson, Quentin Pongia, also played for New Zealand.-Playing career:...
and his sister Megan Tahapeehi has also represented the Kiwi Ferns.
Playing career
Originally from the West CoastWest Coast, New Zealand
The West Coast is one of the administrative regions of New Zealand, located on the west coast of the South Island, and is one of the more remote and most sparsely populated areas of the country. It is made up of three districts: Buller, Grey and Westland...
, Pongia transferred east in 1988 and played in the Canterbury Rugby League
Canterbury Rugby League
Canterbury Rugby League is the regional body that administers rugby league in Canterbury, New Zealand. CRL manages local competitions from senior level down to age group competitions. Canterbury Rugby League also manages the Canterbury rugby league team which represents the region in New Zealand...
competition, representing the province in 1991 and 1992.
Pongia later played for 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...
, Auckland Warriors and the Sydney Roosters
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
in the 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...
before heading to France. Pongia went to France as player coach of Paris Chattilon, but it didn’t work out and he moved to Villeneuve, winning both the Championship
Elite One Championship
The Elite One Championship is the top tier French professional domestic rugby league competition....
and the Lord Derby Cup
Lord Derby Cup
The Lord Derby Cup , also known as French Rugby à XIII Cup, is the premier knock-out competition for the sport of rugby league football in France. It is open to all French rugby league clubs....
with the side.
In 2003, after the French season had finished, Pongia returned to Australia and played two matches for the St. George Illawarra Dragons. He then finished his career in England playing for the Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
. He was forced to retire from rugby league after it was discovered that he suffered from hepatitis B.
Representative career
Quentin Pongia was a New ZealandNew 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...
international and played at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup
1995 Rugby League World Cup
The 1995 Rugby League World Cup was held during October in the United Kingdom. It was the eleventh staging of the Rugby League World Cup and was marketed as the Halifax Centenary World Cup, reflecting the tournament's sponsorship and the fact that 1995 marked the 100th birthday of the sport...
. He played in 35 tests and was the NZRL
New Zealand Rugby League
The New Zealand Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league football in New Zealand. The NZRL was founded on the 25 April 1910 in preparation for a tour of Great Britain that same year....
player of the year in 1998.
Later years
In 2009 Pongia was the strength and conditioning coach for the Canberra Raiders Toyota Cup side. He was promoted to assistant coach for the Raiders National Rugby LeagueNational 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...
team for the 2010 season. During the 2009 Four Nations Pongia was an assistant trainer and mentor for the New Zealand Kiwis. He was replaced as a Raiders assistant coach for the 2012 season by Justin Morgan
Justin Morgan (rugby league)
Justin Morgan is a rugby league coach and former footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He is currently an assistant coach of the Canberra Raiders. His position of preference was at prop. He has also worked as a commentator.-Playing career:Morgan's career started with the Parramatta Eels...
.