{{short description|New Zealand rugby union player}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=March 2013}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = Lolagi Visinia | image = | image_size = | caption = | full_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|01|17|df=y}} | birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand | height = {{convert|194|cm|ftin|0|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|99|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}} | school = Kelston Boys' High School | position = Wing, fullback | currentclub = {{rut|Auckland}} | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = 2012–2016, 2024 | clubs1 = Auckland | apps1 = 44 | points1 = 83 | years2 = 2013–2016 | clubs2 = Blues | apps2 = 33 | points2 = 42 | years3 = 2017–2019 | clubs3 = Grenoble | apps3 = 40 | points3 = 85 | years4 = 2019–2020 | clubs4 = NEC Green Rockets | apps4 = 10 | points4 = 15 | years5 = 2020–2023 | clubs5 = Hawke's Bay | apps5 = 37 | points5 = 75 | years6 = 2021 | clubs6 = Hurricanes | apps6 = 1 | points6 = 0 | years7 = 2022– | clubs7 = Moana Pasifika | apps7 = 5 | points7 = 0 | repyears1 = 2013 | repteam1 = New Zealand U20 | repcaps1 = 4 | reppoints1 = 20 | repyears2 = 2022 | repteam2 = Samoa | repcaps2 = 3 | reppoints2 = 0 | clubupdate = 6 November 2024 | repupdate = 16 July 2022 | repsevensyears1 = 2012 | repsevensteam1 = New Zealand | repsevenscomp1 = 2 | ru_sevensupdate = 20 June 2021 }}
'''Lolagi Visinia''' (born 17 January 1993) is a rugby union player, who currently plays as a wing or fullback for {{Rut|Auckland}} in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition.<ref name="Auckland Rugby names the 2024 NPC squad"/> He was born and raised in New Zealand, but has represented both New Zealand (in sevens) and Manu Samoa internationally.
== Early career ==
Visinia attended Kelston Boys' High School, where he turned out for the school's first XV. Although Kelston Boys 1st XV didn't win the Auckland competition in 2011, Visinia helped his team win their first National Top 4 title in 12 years. He scored a try in the 24 – 14 win over Wesley College in the Final.<ref name="Disciplined rugby sees Kelston home">{{Cite web | url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/western-leader/5530293/Disciplined-rugby-sees-Kelston-home |title=Disciplined rugby sees Kelston home | website=Stuff NZ |language=en | date=30 August 2011 | access-date=22 February 2021}}</ref> Later that year, Visinia also played for the Kelston Boys' sevens team that won the Condor Sevens, an annual Secondary School Sevens tournament in New Zealand.<ref name="College sport: Kelston finish of stellar year with sevens win">{{Cite web | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/college-sport-kelston-finish-of-stellar-year-with-sevens-win/ZH6VH7EYIXZEBIIEUJVXPRLFTA/ | title=College sport: Kelston finish of stellar year with sevens win | website=The New Zealand Herald |language=en | date=7 December 2011 | access-date=22 February 2021}}</ref>
During his time at Kelston Boys', Visinia represented Auckland and the {{rut|Blues}} at age grade level, both in the 15-a-side game and in sevens.<ref name="2011 Auckland U18 A team">{{Cite web | url=http://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/Representative/UNDER-18A.aspx | title=2011 Auckland U18 A team | website=Auckland Rugby |language=en | year=2012 | access-date=22 February 2021 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325232946/http://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/Representative/UNDER-18A.aspx | archive-date=25 March 2012}}</ref><ref name="Blues Under-18 team named">{{Cite web | url=http://www.voxy.co.nz/sport/blues-under-18-team-named/5/95671 | title=Blues Under-18 team named | website=Voxy.co.nz |language=en | date=20 July 2011 | access-date=22 February 2021}}</ref><ref name="2012 Auckland Sevens squad">{{Cite web | url=http://aucklandrugby.co.nz/Representative/SEVENS.aspx | title=2012 Auckland Sevens squad | website=Auckland Rugby |language=en | date=14 August 2012 | access-date=22 February 2021 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325232935/http://aucklandrugby.co.nz/Representative/SEVENS.aspx | archive-date=25 March 2012}}</ref>
== Senior career ==
On 14 August 2012, at the age of 19, Visinia was named in the {{rut|Auckland}} ITM Cup squad, for the first time.<ref name="2012 Auckland ITM Cup squad named">{{Cite web | url=http://aucklandrugby.co.nz/News/2012-8-14/2012-Auckland-ITM-Cup-squad-named.aspx | title=2012 Auckland ITM Cup squad named | website=Auckland Rugby | language=en | date=14 August 2012 | access-date=25 February 2021 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930182113/http://aucklandrugby.co.nz/News/2012-8-14/2012-Auckland-ITM-Cup-squad-named.aspx | archive-date=30 September 2012}}</ref> He made his provincial debut – off the bench – on 2 September 2012 against {{rut|Manawatu}}<ref name="Preview: Auckland v Manawatu">{{Cite web | url=http://www.itmcup.co.nz/itmCupnews/20329/Preview-Auckland-v-Manawatu | title=Preview: Auckland v Manawatu | website= ITM Cup | language=en | date=1 September 2012 | access-date=25 February 2021 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017103248/http://www.itmcup.co.nz/itmCupnews/20329/Preview-Auckland-v-Manawatu | archive-date=17 October 2012}}</ref> and his starting debut on 7 October 2012 against {{rut|North Harbour}}.<ref name="Brotherly love of rugby big boost for Auckland">{{Cite web | url=https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/sunday-news/20121007/281968899911475 | title=Brotherly love of rugby big boost for Auckland | work=Sunday News | date=7 October 2012| access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref> He scored his first try for Auckland on 27 October 2012 against {{rut|Canterbury}} in the 2011 ITM Cup Premiership Final that Auckland lost 18 – 31.<ref name="Canterbury make it five in a row">{{Cite web | url=http://itmcup.co.nz/itmCupnews/20915/Canterbury-make-it-five-in-a-row | title=Canterbury make it five in a row | website=ITM Cup | language=en | date=27 October 2012 | access-date=25 February 2021 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029230612/http://itmcup.co.nz/itmCupnews/20915/Canterbury-make-it-five-in-a-row | archive-date=29 October 2012}}</ref>
While not named in the Blues squad for the 2013 Super Rugby season,<ref name="Blues squad announced for 2013">{{Cite press release | url=https://blues.rugby/blues-squad-announced-2013/ | title=Blues squad announced for 2013 | website=Blues | language=en | date=31 October 2012 | access-date=25 February 2021 | archive-date=13 January 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113074145/https://blues.rugby/blues-squad-announced-2013/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> Visinia – as a member of the Blues wider training group – made his Super Rugby debut on 13 July 2013 against the {{rut|Chiefs}}.<ref name="Match centre: Blues v Chiefs">{{Cite web | url=https://super.rugby/superrugby/match-centre/?competition=205&season=2013&match=513203 | title=Match centre: Blues v Chiefs | website=SANZAAR | language=en | year=2013 | access-date=25 February 2021}}</ref> It was his only Super Rugby game that season, but he was named in the Blues squad for 2014.<ref name="2014 Blues squad named">{{Cite press release | url=https://blues.rugby/2014-blues-squad-named/ | title=2014 Blues squad named | website=Blues | language=en | date=30 October 2013| access-date=28 February 2021}}</ref> He scored his first try for the Blues on 25 April 2014 against the {{rut|Waratahs}}.<ref name="Match centre: Blues v Waratahs">{{Cite web | url=https://super.rugby/superrugby/match-centre/?competition=205&season=2014&match=514111 | title=Match centre: Blues v Waratahs | website=SANZAAR | language=en | year=2014 | access-date=28 February 2021}}</ref>
Visinia spent four seasons at the Blues, before signing with French club Grenoble in November 2016.<ref name="Lolagi Visinia s’est engagé pour deux saisons avec le FCG">{{Cite web | url=http://fcgrugby.com/fr/articles/2016/11/18/lolagi-visinia-au-fcg-la-saison-prochaine | title=Lolagi Visinia s'est engagé pour deux saisons avec le FCG | website=FC Grenoble | language=fr | date=21 November 2016 | access-date=28 February 2021 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514213935/http://fcgrugby.com/fr/articles/2016/11/18/lolagi-visinia-au-fcg-la-saison-prochaine | archive-date=14 May 2018}}</ref> At the end of the 2017–18 Rugby Pro D2 season, his first with the club, Grenoble secured promotion to the Top 14 after winning a promotion/relegation match 47–22 against Oyonnax. Visinia scored two tries in that game.<ref name="Grenoble remporte le match d'accession contre Oyonnax et revient dans l'élite">{{Cite web | url=https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/top-14/2017-2018/grenoble-remporte-le-match-d-accession-contre-oyonnax-et-revient-dans-l-elite_sto6751932/story.shtml | title=Grenoble remporte le match d'accession contre Oyonnax et revient dans l'élite | work=Rugbyrama | language=fr | date=12 May 2018 | access-date=28 February 2021}}</ref> However, after the 2018–19 Top 14 season, Grenoble was relegated back to the Pro D2 after losing a promotion/relegation match 22 -28 against Brive.<ref name="Brive back in Top14">{{Cite web | url= https://rugby365.com/countries/brive-back-in-top14/ | title=Brive back in Top14 | work=Rugby 365 | language=en | date=2 June 2019 | access-date=28 February 2021}}</ref> It turned out to be Visinia's last season with the club.
On 3 June 2019, Japanese club NEC Green Rockets announced the signing of Visinia.<ref name="NEC RFC Notice of new players/ staff 2019">{{Cite press release | url=https://rugby.necsports.net/topics_detail1/id=1819 | title=NECラグビーフットボール部 2019年度新加入選手・スタフのお知らせ(追加) | language=japanese | date=3 June 2019 | access-date=28 February 2021}}</ref> He made his debut for the club on 22 June 2019 against Mazda Blue Zoomers, scoring 2 tries on debut.<ref name="Lolagi Visinia Top League player profile">{{Cite web | url=http://en.rugby-japan.jp/schedule/player/301704/ | title=Lolagi Visinia Top League player profile | website=Top League | language=en | year=2020| access-date=28 February 2021}}</ref> He played a total of 10 games (scoring 5 tries) for the Green Rockets; five games for the 2019 Top League Cup and five Top League games. The 2020 Top League season was cancelled after round 6 due to the COVID-19 pandemic<ref name="Japan Rugby Top League 2020 Notice of Cancellation">{{Cite press release | url=http://en.rugby-japan.jp/2020/03/23/japan-rugby-top-league-2002-notice-of-cancellation/ | title=Japan Rugby Top League 2020 Notice of Cancellation | website=Japan Rugby Top League | language=en | date=23 March 2020| access-date=28 February 2021}}</ref> and Visinia returned to New Zealand.
In July 2020, it was announced that Visinia would join {{rut|Hawke's Bay}} for the Mitre 10 Cup.<ref name="Club rugby: New signing lends muscle to Magpies backline">{{Cite web | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/club-rugby-new-signing-lends-muscle-to-magpies-backline/KVJGISUCBR62J3MRXKSMGGFL3Y/ | title=Club rugby: New signing lends muscle to Magpies backline | work=Hawke's Bay Today | language=en | date=11 July 2020 | access-date=28 February 2021}}</ref> He made his debut for the Magpies – off the bench – against {{rut|Southland}} on 13 September 2020. A week later he was named in the starting line-up against {{rut|Counties Manukau}} and scored his first try for the Magpies in that game.<ref name="Visinia earns starting role for Magpies against Steelers">{{Cite web | url=https://cdn.hbapp.co.nz/news/visinia-earns-starting-role-for-magpies-against-steelers | title=Visinia earns starting role for Magpies against Steelers | work=Hawke's Bay App | language=en | date=19 September 2020 | access-date=28 February 2021}}</ref> He went on to play 11 games – in which he scored 5 tries – in his first season for Hawke's Bay, helping the Magpies win the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup Championship title and the Ranfurly Shield.<ref name="Magpies crowned kings of the Championship">{{ cite web | url=https://www.provincial.rugby/news/magpies-kings-of-the-championship/ | title=Magpies crowned kings of the Championship | work=New Zealand Rugby | date=27 November 2020 | access-date=17 January 2021}}</ref> At the end of the season, he was named the Magpies' Rookie of the Year.<ref name="Flanders named player of the year as four other Magpies make Māori All Blacks">{{Cite web | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/flanders-named-player-of-the-year-as-four-other-magpies-make-maori-all-blacks/TZRDURYUSLTXEY6CYPYAVUTW4U/ | title=Flanders named player of the year as four other Magpies make Māori All Blacks | work=Hawke's Bay Today | language=en | date=25 November 2020 | access-date=28 February 2021}}</ref>
On 2 December 2020, Visinia was named in the {{rut|Hurricanes}} squad for the 2021 Super Rugby season.<ref name="Hurricanes 2021 squad announced">{{Cite press release | url=https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/hurricanes-2021-squad-announced/ | title=Hurricanes 2021 squad announced | website=Hurricanes | language=en | date=2 December 2020| access-date=28 February 2021}}</ref> He made his debut for the franchise on 21 May 2021 against the {{Rut|Rebels}},<ref name="Laumape returns to Hurricanes squad to face Rebels">{{Cite press release | url=https://www.hurricanes.co.nz/news/article/laumape-returns-to-hurricanes-squad-to-face-rebels/ | title=Laumape returns to Hurricanes squad to face Rebels | website=Hurricanes | language=en | date=19 May 2021| access-date=23 May 2021}}</ref> in what turned out to be the only game he played for the Hurricanes.
On 26 October 2021, Moana Pasifika announced that it had signed Visinia for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.<ref name="YOU ASKED, WE LISTENED! AFIO MAI LOLAGO & DANNY!">{{cite tweet | number=1452800063898480645 | user=MoanaPasifika_ | title=YOU ASKED, WE LISTENED! AFIO MAI LOLAGO & DANNY! | date=26 October 2021 | access-date=30 October 2021}}</ref> On 29 March 2022, he made his debut for the new franchise – via the bench – in their home game against the {{rut|Blues}}.<ref name="Moana Pasifika team named for home game against Blues">{{Cite press release | url=https://moanapasifika.co.nz/mp-blues-home-game/ | title=Moana Pasifika team named for home game against Blues | work=Moana Pasifika | language=en | date=28 March 2022 | access-date=29 March 2022}}</ref> His first start for Moana Pasifika followed on 12 April 2022 against the {{rut|Hurricanes}}.<ref name="Moana Pasifika team named for Hurricanes">{{Cite press release | url=https://moanapasifika.co.nz/mp-hurricanes-april/ | title=Moana Pasifika team named for Hurricanes | work=Moana Pasifika | language=en | date=11 April 2022 | access-date=12 April 2022}}</ref>
In 2024, after four seasons playing for {{rut|Hawke's Bay}}, Visinia returned to where it all began. On 29 July 2024, he was named in the {{rut|Auckland}} squad for the 2024 NPC season.<ref name="Auckland Rugby names the 2024 NPC squad">{{cite press release | url=https://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/newsarticle/143611 | title=Auckland Rugby names the 2024 NPC squad with a novel 'reverse jersey presentation' | work=Auckland Rugby | date=29 July 2024 | access-date=1 August 2024}}</ref>
== International career ==
After a successful 1st XV season with Kelston Boys' High School, Visinia was named in the 2011 New Zealand Secondary Schools team that played matches against Australian Schools and Australian Schools 'A'.<ref name="NZ Schools selection to play Australia named">{{Cite press release | url=http://allblacks.com/News/17292/nz-schools-selection-to-play-australia-named | title=NZ Schools selection to play Australia named | website=allblacks.com | language=en | date=28 August 2011| access-date=28 February 2021 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804083237/http://allblacks.com/News/17292/nz-schools-selection-to-play-australia-named | archive-date=4 August 2014}}</ref>
Fresh out of school, at the age of 19, he was part of the 2012 New Zealand Sevens squad. He played in the Hong Kong and Japan rounds of the 2011–12 IRB Sevens World Series.<ref name="Four new faces for NZ Sevens as Gear wings in">{{Cite web | url=https://www.world.rugby/news/31193 | title=Four new faces for NZ Sevens as Gear wings in | website=World Rugby | language=en | date=26 January 2012 | access-date=28 February 2021}}</ref><ref name="One new cap for Tietjens' NZ sevens squad">{{Cite web | url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/editors-picks/6592719/One-new-cap-for-Tietjens-NZ-sevens-squad | title=One new cap for Tietjens' NZ sevens squad | work= Stuff NZ | language=en | date=17 March 2012 | access-date=28 February 2021}}</ref>
A year later, Visinia was named in the New Zealand Under-20 squad for the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship. He played in 4 games and scored 4 tries during the tournament.<ref name="NZU20 squad named for IRB World Champs in France">{{Cite press release | url=https://www.allblacks.com/news/22109/NZU20-squad-named-for-IRB-World-Champs-in-France | title=NZU20 squad named for IRB World Champs in France | website=allblacks.com | language=en | date=24 April 2013 | access-date=25 February 2021 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130427040532/https://www.allblacks.com/news/22109/NZU20-squad-named-for-IRB-World-Champs-in-France | archive-date=27 April 2013}}</ref>
As a result of a change in international eligibility rules – adopted by World Rugby on 24 November 2021 – which allows captured players to change to a new country ''once,'' provided they or their (grand)parents were born in the new country, Visinia – who is of Samoan descent – was able to play for Manu Samoa despite having represented New Zealand in sevens.<ref name="World Rugby approves birthright amendment for players to transfer unions">{{cite news|url=https://www.world.rugby/news/672653/world-rugby-approves-birth-right-framework-for-players-to-transfer-unions|title=World Rugby approves birthright amendment for players to transfer unions|work=World Rugby|date=24 November 2021|access-date=23 February 2022}}</ref> On 2 June 2022, he was named in the Manu Samoa squad for the first time.<ref name="Manu Samoa Head Coach, Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua announces his squad">{{cite tweet | number=1532216993109377024 | author=Manu Samoa | user=manusamoa | title=Manu Samoa Head Coach, Vaovasamanaia Seilala Mapusua announces his squad for the up-coming Pacific Nations Cup (PNC) 2022 in July to be held in Fiji. | date=2 June 2022 | access-date=2 July 2022}}</ref> He made his international debut for Samoa on 2 July 2022 against Australia A in their first game of the 2022 Pacific Nations Cup, which they won 31–26.<ref name="Team Naming: Your Manu Samoa vs Australia A">{{cite tweet | number=1542300758171090944 | author=Manu Samoa | user=manusamoa | title=Team Naming: Your Manu Samoa vs Australia A | date=30 June 2022 | access-date=2 July 2022}}</ref>
==See also== * International rugby union eligibility rules
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Sport links}} * [https://www.rugbyhistory.co.nz/player/lolagi-visinia NZ Rugby History Profile]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Visinia, Lolagi}} Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:New Zealand people of I-Taukei Fijian descent Category:New Zealand people of Samoan descent Category:Sportspeople of Samoan descent Category:People educated at Kelston Boys' High School Category:New Zealand rugby union players Category:New Zealand male rugby sevens players Category:New Zealand international rugby sevens players Category:Samoan rugby union players Category:Samoa international rugby union players Category:Rugby union players from Auckland Category:Rugby union wings Category:Rugby union fullbacks Category:Auckland rugby union players Category:Blues (Super Rugby) players Category:FC Grenoble Rugby players Category:Hawke's Bay rugby union players Category:Green Rockets Tokatsu players Category:Hurricanes (rugby union) players Category:Moana Pasifika players Category:New Zealand expatriate rugby union players in France Category:New Zealand expatriate rugby union players in Japan Category:21st-century New Zealand sportsmen