Born: July 26, 1969
Test record: 4 Tests (1994-95) – 0 points
Tours: 1994 tour of Papua New Guinea

Gifted back-rower Tony Tatupu played four Tests for New Zealand in 1994-95, debuting as one of the last players to represent the Kiwis from domestic football and wrapping up his short tenure as a foundation Auckland Warrior.

The tall, skilful Mt Albert Lions product broke into the Auckland team in 1991 and represented Western Samoa at the 1992 Pacific Cup. He also played for Auckland against Great Britain and for Mt Albert in its grand final loss to Northcote in 1992.

Tatupu starred for North Harbour Sea Eagles in their capture of the inaugural Lion Red Cup in 1994 at centre, subsequently touring Australia with the New Zealand Residents and earning a spot on the Kiwis’ tour of Papua New Guinea. The 25-year-old forced his way into the second-row for a Test debut in the first Test against the Kumuls and came off the bench in the second.

Shining early in the Warriors’ first season – including scoring a try in their premiership debut against Brisbane Broncos – Tatupu played two Tests as a back-row starter in the mid-1995 series against Australia.

But his club form tapered off, while he aligned with Western Samoa for the end-of-year World Cup, featuring in both matches against France (scoring two tries) and Wales.

Tatupu was tagged as an enigma and struggled to hold down a spot at the Warriors in 1996 (he was a centre in Frank Endacott’s reserve grade grand final line-up). He spent the following season with English club Warrington before returning to Auckland, departing the club for good at the end of 1999 after 67 top-grade appearances.

During his 2000-01 stay with Wakefield Trinity, Tatupu played all four matches of Samoa’s 2000 World Cup campaign in England.