Josh Aloiai

Josh Aloiai
Aloiai playing for the Eels' NYC team in 2014.
Personal information
Born (1995-11-11) 11 November 1995
Auckland, New Zealand
Height 185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 110 kg (17 st 5 lb)
Playing information
Position Prop, Second-row, Lock
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2016– Wests Tigers 24 2 0 0 8
As of 28 August 2016
Source: [1]

Josh Aloiai (born 11 November 1995) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League. He plays at prop and second-row.

Background

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Aloiai is of Samoan descent and played his junior rugby league for the Glenora Bears, before being signed by the Parramatta Eels.

Playing career

Early career

In 2014 and 2015, Aloiai played for the Parramatta Eels' NYC team.[2] On 18 October 2014, he played for the Junior Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos.[3] His 2015 season was hampered by injury. He said, "I was running and as I was getting tackled my hip subluxed and it the process fractured my posterior wall of my hip."[4] On 11 November, he signed a 1-year contract with the Wests Tigers starting in 2016.[5]

2016

Despite missing the pre-season with his hip injury, Aloiai made his NRL debut in round 1 against the New Zealand Warriors, playing off the interchange bench in the Tigers' 34-26 win at Campbelltown Stadium.[6][7] He re-signed with the club for a further season soon after.[8]

Playing as a reserve in the early weeks of the season, Aloiai progressed to the starting team from round 11 onward. He was the first Wests Tigers player to appear in every game of their rookie season. He said, "This year has definitely exceeded my expectations. I just feel really thankful and blessed how the year's gone."[4]

Personal life

Aloiai is a devout Christian. "I think the sport they play in heaven is rugby league. I reckon God loves it. A big part of what I'm trying to do now is incorporate my faith into my footy, a lot of people don't understand how that works but it works awesome for me. God has given me a gift so I'm trying to use it is through rugby league and glorify his name," he has said.[9]

References

  1. "Josh Aloiai - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. 1995-11-11. Retrieved 2016-04-10.
  2. "A". Nyc Database. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
  3. "2014 JUNIOR KIWIS TEAM ANNOUNCED". Rugbyleagueweek.com.au. 2014-10-10. Retrieved 2015-03-13.
  4. 1 2 Chris Kennedy. "Tigers cub set for new rookie record". nrl.com.
  5. "Wests Tigers sign Junior Kiwi". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
  6. "Updated: Round 1 NRL team lists". NRL.com. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
  7. NRL. "Late Changes: NRL Round 1 vs. Warriors - Tigers". Weststigers.com.au. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
  8. "Aloiai re-signs with Wests Tigers". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  9. Adrian Proszenko. "Sorry rugby but it's NRL they play in heaven, says Wests Tigers rookie Josh Aloiai". Sydney Morning Herald.
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