Brad Takairangi

Brad Takairangi

Brad Takairangi (left)
Personal information
Born	14 June 1989 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height	194 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight	108 kg (17 st 0 lb)
Playing information
Position	Centre, Second-row, Five-eighth
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2010–12	Sydney Roosters	29	3	0	0	12
2013–14	Gold Coast Titans	39	8	0	0	32
2015–	Parramatta Eels	26	8	0	0	32
	Total	94	19	0	0	76
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2009–13	Cook Islands	5	1	3	0	10
2016	New Zealand	0	0	0	0	0
Source: [1]

Brad Takairangi (born 14 June 1989) is an Australian rugby league player who currently plays for the Parramatta Eels of the National Rugby League. Takairangi is a utility player, having filled roles at lock, second-row, centre and five-eighth. A Cook Islands international representative, Takairangi previously played for the Sydney Roosters between 2010 and 2012 and the Gold Coast Titans in 2013 and 2014. On May 6th 2016 Takairangi will make his test debut for the New Zealand Kiwis after a late withdrawal from former teammate Shaun Kenny-Dowall.

Early life

Born in Sydney, New South Wales, Takairangi is of Cook Islands and Māori descent. Takairangi played his junior football with the Cronulla-Caringbah Sharks before being signed the South Sydney Rabbitohs. In 2009, Takairangi made his international debut for the Cook Islands, kicking 3 conversions in a 22-20 defeat of Samoa.^[2]

Playing career

2010

Takairangi played in the Rabbitohs NYC team in 2008 and 2009, before being signed by the Sydney Roosters in February 2010.^[3] In Round 2, he made his NRL debut for the Roosters against the Wests Tigers off the interchange bench in the 44-32 win at SFS.^[4] Takairangi played in one other match for the season.

2011

On 25 August, Takairangi signed an extension with the Roosters which would keep him there until the end of the 2013 season.^[5] In Round 24 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, he scored first NRL career try in the Roosters 36-25 at SFS.^[6] Takairangi finished the year with 2 tries from 11 matches.

2012

Takairangi played in 16 matches and scored a try for the Roosters in the 2012 NRL season.

2013

On 5 February, Takairangi signed with the Gold Coast Titans on a 3-year-deal, as part of an attempt by the Sydney Roosters to lure Luke O'Donnell back to the club. In Round 1, Takairangi made his club debut for the Titans against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at centre in the Titans 12-10 loss at Remondis Stadium.^[7] In Round 11 against the Parramatta Eels, he scored his first club try for the Titans in the 42-4 win at Mudgee Oval.^[8] Takairangi finished the NRL season with 18 matches and 5 tries. He then played for the Cook Islands in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.^[9] He played in 3 matches and scored a try.

2014

In February, Takairangi played in the Titans inaugural Auckland Nines squad.^[10] He finished the season with 21 appearances and 3 tries for the Titans. On 9 September, Takairangi was selected for the New Zealand Kiwis 2014 Four Nations train-on squad, but didn't make the final 24-man squad.^[11] On 19 September, Takairangi agreed to sign a 3-year deal with the Wests Tigers starting from the 2015 season.^[12][13] However, the Tigers back-flipped on Takairangi's deal, leaving him off contract for the 2015 season. On 30 October, he signed with the Parramatta Eels on a 1-year deal.^[14]

2015

On 26 January, Takairangi was named in the Eels Auckland Nines squad.^[15] In Round 1, he made his club debut for the Eels against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at centre, scoring a try in the 42-12 win at Parramatta Stadium.^[16] On 4 April, Takairangi re-signed with the Eels for a further 2 years.^[17] In Round 22 against the Penrith Panthers, he suffered a season ending foot injury.^[18][19] Takairangi finished his first year with the Eels with him playing in 17 matches and scoring 4 tries.

References

1. "Brad Takairangi - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
2. "Cook Islands progress to Pacific Cup". NRL.com. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
3. "Brian's Bro Mance". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
4. "Roosters Defeat Tigers 44-32". Foxpsorts.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
5. "Takairangi signs new two year deal". Zero Tackle. 2011-08-25. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
6. Daniel Lane. "Hail Mary play at death answers Roosters' prayers". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
7. "Passion Filled Cronulla Sharks Nab Gold Coast Titans in Nailbiter". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
8. "Titans Hammer Eels in NRL Round 11". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
9. "Cook Islands Announce Squad For Rugby League World Cup | NRL". Triple M. 2013-10-10. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
10. "Squads For Auckland Nines". Rugby League Week. 2014-02-14. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
11. "Six players added to Kiwis squad | Radio New Zealand News". Radionz.co.nz. 2014-09-19. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
12. "Titans lose utility Takairangi to Wests Tigers | NRL". Zero Tackle. 2014-09-19. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
13. "Titans Lose Utility Brad Takairangi to Wests Tigers; Beau Henry Talking to Parramatta". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
14. "Eels announce five signings for 2015 | NRL". Zero Tackle. 2014-10-30. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
15. "EELS NAME 2015 NINES SQUAD". Rugby League Week. 2015-01-26. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
16. "Eels v Sea Eagles : Anthony Watmough in the Thick i=of it as Parramatta Thrash Manly 42-12". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
17. "Eels Re-Sign John Folau and Brad Takairangi for Two Years; Bureta Faraimo Extends for 12 Months". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
18. "Brad Takairangi Ruled Out For Year as Parramatta Eels Injury Crisis Worsens". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-15.
19. "2015 Penrith's Season Slumps to New Low as Parramatta Escape with a Six Point Win in Darwin". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 2015-12-15.

External links

• 2016 Parramatta Eels profile