Steve Rapira
Encyclopedia
Steve Rapira is a New Zealand
professional rugby league
player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors
in the National Rugby League
(NRL) competition. He plays in the Second Row. He is the younger brother of New Zealand international, Sam Rapira
.
competition and the Waicoa Bay Stallions
in the Bartercard Cup
before becoming a New Zealand Warriors
junior and playing in their inaugural Toyota Cup team. He played for the Junior Warriors 10 times in 2008 and scored two tries.
In 2009 Rapira joined North Queensland Cowboys
, playing for the Mackay Cutters
in the Queensland Cup
. He made his first grade debut on 11 April 2010 against the Gold Coast Titans
. He was named the club's rookie of the year in 2009.
In 2010 Rapira signed a two year contract to re-join the New Zealand Warriors for the 2011 and 2012 seasons, with an option on a third year.
He made his Warriors debut in Round 13 on 4 June 2011.
in 2005.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
professional rugby league
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 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...
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...
(NRL) competition. He plays in the Second Row. He is the younger brother of New Zealand international, Sam Rapira
Sam Rapira
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...
.
Playing career
Rapira played for Hukanui in the Waikato Rugby LeagueWaikato Rugby League
Waikato Rugby League is the local sporting body responsible for the administration of Rugby league in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The WRL are represented by the Waikato rugby league team...
competition and 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...
before becoming a 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...
junior and playing in their inaugural Toyota Cup team. He played for the Junior Warriors 10 times in 2008 and scored two tries.
In 2009 Rapira joined 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...
, playing for the Mackay Cutters
Mackay Cutters
The Mackay Cutters RLFC are a semi-professional rugby league football club founded in 2007 based in Mackay, Queensland. They, along with the Northern Pride, will be one of two expansion teams for the 2008 season of the Queensland Cup. Their home ground will be at the Mackay & District Junior Rugby...
in the Queensland Cup
Queensland Cup
The Queensland Cup is the premier rugby league football competition in the State of Queensland, Australia.It is a statewide competition with the majority of teams based in South East Queensland but also including sides based in Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton.The competition began in 1996 as a...
. He made his first grade debut on 11 April 2010 against the Gold Coast Titans
Gold Coast Titans
Gold Coast Titans are an Australian professional rugby league football club, based in the Gold Coast, Queensland. The club competes in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership. It is the newest of the sixteen clubs in the league, having commenced its...
. He was named the club's rookie of the year in 2009.
In 2010 Rapira signed a two year contract to re-join the New Zealand Warriors for the 2011 and 2012 seasons, with an option on a third year.
He made his Warriors debut in Round 13 on 4 June 2011.
Representative career
Rapira played for the New Zealand Under-16's in 2004 and 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 2005.
External links
- Steve Rapira North Queensland Cowboys