Jordan Rapana

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Jordan Rapana
Jordan Rapana Canberra.jpg
Personal information
Born (1989-08-15) 15 August 1989 (age 32)
Wellington, New Zealand
Height187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight102 kg (16 st 1 lb)
Playing information
PositionWing, Fullback, Centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2008 Gold Coast Titans 5 5 0 0 20
2014–21 Canberra Raiders 149 82 6 0 332
Total 154 87 6 0 352
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2008 New Zealand Māori 1 0 0 0 0
2013–15 Cook Islands 3 0 2 0 4
2016–18 New Zealand 11 6 0 0 24
As of 4 June 2021
Source: [1]

Jordan Rapana (born 15 August 1989) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a winger for the Canberra Raiders in the NRL. He has played for the New Zealand Māori, New Zealand and the Cook Islands at international level.

He previously played for the Gold Coast Titans in the National Rugby League.

Background[]

Rapana was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and is of Māori, Cook Island and Italian descent.[2] From the Ngāti Toa iwi (Māori tribe), he moved to the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia as a 10-year-old.

He played his junior football for the Tugun Seahawks and attended Palm Beach Currumbin High School before being signed by the Gold Coast Titans.

Playing career[]

2008[]

In 2008, Rapana played for the Gold Coast Titans' NYC team.[3] In Round 18 of the 2008 NRL season, he made his NRL debut for the Gold Coast Titans against the Sydney Roosters.[4] At the end of 2008, he was named on the interchange bench in the 2008 NYC Team of the Year.

Rapana playing for the New Zealand Māori in 2008

He also played for the New Zealand Māori rugby league team.

2009[]

In 2009, Rapana left the NRL to serve a two-year Mormon mission in England and Wales.[5]

2011[]

In June, Rapana signed a contract with Super Rugby team, Western Force, starting in 2012.[6][7] For the 2012 season, he played for the Palmyra Rugby Union Club.

2013[]

In 2013, Rapana moved to Canberra to play for the Queanbeyan Blues in the TTM Canberra Raiders Cup and also to train with the Brumbies in the hope of gaining a contract.[8][9] On 24 June, he signed a two-year contract with the Canberra Raiders effective immediately.[9]

Rapana playing for the Mount Pritchard Mounties in 2013

At the end of 2013, he played for the Cook Islands in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

2014[]

On 7 August, Rapana re-signed with the Canberra Raiders on a one-year contract.[10] In Round 22 of the 2014 NRL season, he made his debut for the Canberra club against the Parramatta Eels,[11] his first NRL game since 2008.

2015[]

On 8 May, Rapana re-signed with the Canberra Raiders on a two-year contract.[12] On 17 October, he played for the Cook Islands in their Asia-Pacific Qualifier match against Tonga for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

2016[]

In Round 8 against the Wests Tigers, Rapana scored four4 tries in Canberra's 60–6 win at Canberra Raiders.[13] He finished the 2016 season with 23 tries, equal most with Suliasi Vunivalu,[14] and breaking the Canberra club record[15] During the season, Rapana and his centre partner Joseph Leilua became one of the most destructive duos of the year, scoring some fantastic tries and their strong friendship outside the footy field labelling them as "Leipana".[16][17] Rapana finished the 2016 NRL season as the season's equal top try-scorer with Melbourne Storm rookie Suliasi Vunivalu with 23 tries in 26 matches. Rapana broke Canberra's club record for the most tries in a season. On 4 October 2016, he was rewarded for his big year with Canberra by being selected in the New Zealand Kiwis 24-man squad for the 2016 Four Nations.[18] On 15 October 2016, he made his international debut for the Kiwis against Australia, playing on the wing in the 26–6 loss at Perth Oval.[19] In his next match against England, Rapana scored two tries in the 17–16 win at Kirklees Stadium in Huddersfield.[20]

Rapana warming up for the Kiwis in 2016

Rapana played in four matches and scored three tries in the tournament including playing in the Kiwis 2016 Four Nations final match against Australia, playing on the wing in the 34–8 loss at Anfield.[21]

Rapana was named the Kiwis rookie of the year by the New Zealand Rugby League.[22]

2017[]

After Canberra's season opening Round 1 match against the North Queensland Cowboys, Rapana received a warning from the NRL after he put up both of his middle fingers, gesturing at the officials after teammate Elliot Whitehead was denied a try in Golden Point Extra Time; the Raiders lost 20-16 shortly afterwards at 1300SMILES Stadium.[23]

On 10 March 2019, Rapana signed a two-year extension with Canberra, keeping him in the nation's capital until 2019.[24][25]

In Round 8 against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Rapana scored one of the season's best tries by leaping high and somehow getting a hand to a Blake Austin grubber that looked destined to go too deep in the corner during Canberra's 20-18 golden point extra time loss at Canberra Stadium.[26]

On 5 May 2017, Rapana played for New Zealand in the 2017 ANZAC Test against Australia, playing on the wing in the 30–12 loss at Canberra Stadium.[27] Rapana finished the 2017 NRL season as the club's highest try-scorer with 21 tries in 23 matches. On 5 October 2017, Rapana was named in the New Zealand Kiwis 24-man squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.[28] Rapana played in 3 matches and scored 2 tries in the Kiwis shock disappointing campaign.

2018[]

Rapana finished the 2018 NRL season by playing in 21 matches and scoring 10 tries for the Raiders. On 1 October 2018, he was selected in the Kiwis' 23-man squad for their tour of England and the test match against Australia.[29]

In the second match in the Baskerville Shield against England, Rapana suffered a dislocated shoulder during the Kiwis 20–14 loss at Anfield.[30] The injury was expected to sideline him for at least six months. The Raiders sought a salary cap exemption of up to $350,000, possible where a player suffers a long-term injury while on rep duty.[31]

2019[]

Rapana made a shocking return for Canberra two months earlier than expected, slotting back into his wing spot in Round 2 against the Melbourne Storm in the 22–10 loss at Canberra Stadium.[32][33] In Round 4 against the North Queensland Cowboys, he played his 100th NRL career match and scored two tries in the 30–12 win at 1300SMILES Stadium.[34]

Rapana made 21 appearances for Canberra as the club reached their first grand final in 25 years, playing on the wing as Canberra were defeated 14-8 by the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium.[35][36][37]

In October 2019, Rapana announced that he had signed a one-year deal to join Japanese rugby union team the Panasonic Wild Knights. On 30 October, the NRL announced that Rapana would not be allowed to return to Canberra during the 2020 season. However, that decision was overturned when he returned to the Raiders in May 2020 following the suspension of the Japanese rugby season due to COVID-19.[38][39]

2020[]

Rapana played 19 games for Canberra in the 2020 NRL season and scored only two tries. He played in all three of Canberra's finals matches including the preliminary final loss to Melbourne.[40]

2021[]

In round 1 of the 2021 NRL season, he scored two tries in a 30-12 victory over Wests Tigers.[41]

In round 7, he scored two tries in a 26-24 loss against North Queensland.[42] In round 8 against South Sydney, he scored two tries and kicked two goals in a 34-20 loss at GIO Stadium.[43]

Rapana played 22 games for Canberra in the 2021 NRL season and scored 12 tries in total. Canberra would finish the season in 10th place and missed out on the finals.[44][45]

On 27 September, Rapana was arrested by Queensland Police after failing a roadside breath test recording an blood alcohol limit of 0.098. On 25 October, Rapana was handed a $500 fine and suspended from driving for three months at Maroochydore Magistrates Court.[46]

Statistics[]

Season by season
Season Team Games (win-draw-lose) Tries Goals Field goals Points
2008 Gold Coast Titans colours.svg 5 (1-0-4) 5 0 0 20
2014 Canberra colours.svg 2 (0-0-2) 1 0 0 4
2015 Canberra colours.svg 19 (9-0-10) 7 0 0 28
2016 Canberra colours.svg 27 (18-1-8) 23 0 0 92
2017 Canberra colours.svg 23 (10-0-13) 21 0 0 84

References[]

  1. ^ "Jordan Rapana". Rugby League Project.
  2. ^ Helmers, Caden (23 October 2017). "Rugby League World Cup: New Zealand jersey means the world to Jordan Rapana". Canberra Times. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  3. ^ [1] Archived 16 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "NRL 2008 - Round 18". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  5. ^ Walshaw, Nick (15 September 2016). "Raiders' Jordan Rapana on his faith and return to NRL football". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  6. ^ "Force sign cross-code youngster | Live Rugby News". Espnscrum.com. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  7. ^ Chadwick, Justin. "Force recruit NRL's Will Tupou". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  8. ^ Wilson, Chris (5 August 2014). "Anthony Milford to halves as Canberra Raiders make massive changes". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  9. ^ a b "Jordan Rapana signs with the Raiders | NRL". Zerotackle.com. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  10. ^ "Jordan Rapana Re-Signs with the Raiders for 2015". Raiders.com.au. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  11. ^ "Late Mail NRL: Raiders v Eels". Raiders.com.au. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  12. ^ "Rapana Re-Signs". Raiders.com.au. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  13. ^ Tuxworth, Jon. "NRL: Jordan Rapana runs rampant as Canberra Raiders thrash awful Tigers". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  14. ^ "NRL Stats - National Rugby League". www.nrl.com.
  15. ^ "Rugby League Tables / Canberra Point Scorers". afltables.com.
  16. ^ "The 'Leipana' bromance between Jordan Rapana and Joey Leilua driving the Canberra Raiders' finals charge". Sydney Morning Herald. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  17. ^ Walshaw, Nick (15 September 2016). "Raiders jokers keep doing serious damage". dailytelegraph.
  18. ^ "Four Nations: New Zealand Kiwis David Kidwell names rookies Jordan Rapana, Joseph Tapine". 3 October 2016.
  19. ^ Connolly, Paul (15 October 2016). "Australia too good for rusty Kiwis in Perth league Test – as it happened" – via www.theguardian.com.
  20. ^ Walsh, Dan (29 October 2016). "Magic Johnson's new trick seals NZ thriller". Herald Sun.
  21. ^ Mascord, Steve (20 November 2016). "Four Nations final: Australia hammer New Zealand 34-8". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  22. ^ "Jesse Bromwich retains Kiwis Player of Year honours". 20 January 2017 – via www.nzherald.co.nz.
  23. ^ Chammas, Michael (5 March 2017). "Canberra Raiders' Jordan Rapana issued warning notice for flipping the bird to referees". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  24. ^ Polkinghorne, David. "Jordan Rapana re-signs with Canberra Raiders until end of 2019 NRL Season". canberratimes.com.au. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
  25. ^ stuff.co.nz. "Kiwis winger Jordan Rapana re-signs with Canberra Raiders until end of 2019". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
  26. ^ Polkinghorne, David (4 June 2017). "NRL: Canberra Raiders winger Jordan Rapana shows he's world's best against Manly Sea Eagles". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  27. ^ Connolly, Paul (5 May 2017). "Australia beat New Zealand in the rugby league Anzac Test – as it happened" – via www.theguardian.com.
  28. ^ "Kiwis World Cup squad named". National Rugby League. 5 October 2017.
  29. ^ "Five debutants join returning stars in Kiwis squad". National Rugby League. 1 October 2018.
  30. ^ "Makinson hat-trick seals England series win over Kiwis". National Rugby League. 4 November 2018.
  31. ^ "Canberra flyer Jordan Rapana out for six months with shoulder injury". NewsComAu. 12 November 2018.
  32. ^ Polkinghorne, David (23 March 2019). "Jordan Rapana confident Raiders' Leipana have blown out the rust". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  33. ^ "NRL 2019: Jordan Rapana, Canberra Raiders; Winger's miracle recovery". 20 March 2019.
  34. ^ Polkinghorne, David (6 April 2019). "Rapana brings up the century in style as Raiders hold off Cowboys". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  35. ^ "NRL grand final player ratings: Roosters and Raiders hits and misses". SMH.
  36. ^ "Sydney Roosters beat Canberra Raiders to win NRL Grand Final". BBC.
  37. ^ "How Ricky Stuart reacted to grand final 'six-again' refereeing shocker". WWOS.
  38. ^ "Where is the harm in allowing Jordan Rapana to return to the NRL for Canberra Raiders in 2020?". Sporting News.
  39. ^ "Hodgson questions nrl block on rapana's return after rugby stint". SMH. 30 October 2019.
  40. ^ "Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart storms out of press conference after one question". wwos.nine.com.au.
  41. ^ "Cronulla Sharks win scrappy clash with Dragons; Canberra Raiders beat Wests Tigers with dominant second half". ABC News. 14 March 2021.
  42. ^ "Cowboys beat Raiders 26-24 for third straight NRL win, Bulldogs defeat Sharks 18-12 for maiden victory". ABC News. 24 April 2021.
  43. ^ "South Sydney Rabbitohs claim seventh straight NRL win with 34-20 triumph over Canberra Raiders". ABC News. 29 April 2021.
  44. ^ "Roosters' 'Mr Fix It' stuns with hat-trick, Sloppy Raiders' final fade out ends season: 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au. 2 September 2021.
  45. ^ "Tough conversations coming for senior Canberra stars as interest grows in Parramatta young gun Dylan Brown". www.theaustralian.com.au.
  46. ^ "Raiders star expecting 'huge' sanction from NRL after pleading guilty to drink driving". www.foxsports.com.au.

External links[]

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