Sam Rapira
Encyclopedia
Sam Rapira is a New Zealand rugby league
player who currently plays in the National Rugby League
for the New Zealand Warriors
. His usual position of choice is at prop-forward
. He was part of the New Zealand Kiwis side that won the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
.
He is the older brother of New Zealand Warriors
player, Steve Rapira
.
and played for the Hukanui club. He later played for the Waicoa Bay Stallions
in the Bartercard Cup
.
. In 2007 he played in all 26 games for the club. In 2011 Rapira extended his contract with the club until the end of the 2014 season.
in 2004, and played for them again in 2005. Also in 2005 he was named in the New Zealand Residents squad. In 2006 Rapira played for New Zealand 'A'.
He made his international debut for the Kiwis in 2007, playing in the 2007 Anzac Test against Australia.
In August 2008, Rapira was named in the New Zealand training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
, and in October 2008, he was named in the final 24-man Kiwi squad. He was part of the team that won the World Cup Final.
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 who currently plays 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...
for the New Zealand Warriors
New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
. His usual position of choice is at prop-forward
Rugby league positions
A rugby league football team consists of thirteen players on the field, with four substitutes on the bench. Players are divided into two general categories: "forwards" and "backs"....
. He was part of the New Zealand Kiwis side that won the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
2008 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...
.
He is the older brother of New Zealand Warriors
New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
player, Steve Rapira
Steve Rapira
Steve Rapira is a New Zealand professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition. He plays in the Second Row...
.
Early years
Rapira attended Hamilton Boys' High SchoolHamilton Boys' High School
Hamilton Boys' High School is a boys' secondary school in Hamilton, New Zealand. The school was established as Hamilton High School in 1903 but was later split into separate boys' and girls' schools. The school crest features a lion, sash and star, and bears the motto "Sapiens Fortunam Fingit Sibi"...
and played for the Hukanui club. He later played for the Waicoa Bay Stallions
Waicoa Bay Stallions
The Waicoa Bay Stallions are a rugby league team that represent the Upper Central Zone in the Albert Baskerville Trophy. This is a vast area that includes Hamilton, Rotorua and Taupo...
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...
.
Playing career
Rapira made his debut for the Warriors in 2006 against the Wests TigersWests 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...
. In 2007 he played in all 26 games for the club. In 2011 Rapira extended his contract with the club until the end of the 2014 season.
Representative career
Rapira first made the Junior KiwisJunior Kiwis
The Junior Kiwis side represents New Zealand in the sport of rugby league. They are commonly known as the Junior Kiwis, after the native bird of that name. They are not necessarily an age grade side, but the second national team behind the New Zealand national rugby league team. They are...
in 2004, and played for them again in 2005. Also in 2005 he was named in the New Zealand Residents squad. In 2006 Rapira played for New Zealand 'A'.
He made his international debut for the Kiwis in 2007, playing in the 2007 Anzac Test against Australia.
In August 2008, Rapira was named in the New Zealand training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
2008 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 October 2008, he was named in the final 24-man Kiwi squad. He was part of the team that won the World Cup Final.