# Vaea Anitoni > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Vaea_Anitoni > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Vaea_Anitoni.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaea_Anitoni > Source revision: 1339206341 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|Tonga & US international rugby union player|bot=PearBOT 5}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = Vaea Anitoni | image = | birth_name = Vaea Naufahu Anitoni | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1970|9|20}} | birth_place = [Tongatapu](/source/Tongatapu), Tonga | height = {{convert|5|ft|8|in|m|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|170|lb|kg|abbr=on}} | ru_currentposition = | ru_currentteam = | position = [Wing](/source/Wing_(rugby_union)) | amatyears1 = | amatteam1 = San Mateo Rugby Club | provinceyears1 = 1990-1991 | province1 = {{okina}}Eua[https://scontent.fbgy1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/69030896_2419984074924439_8835172212374765568_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=T_NUn9Y2WnUAX-9oIsT&_nc_ht=scontent.fbgy1-1.fna&oh=bae1cbb6e9aaae31e8352e43c71acd01&oe=61AB18CE Photo of the Tonga 1991 squad] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106224227/https://scontent.fbgy1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/69030896_2419984074924439_8835172212374765568_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&ccb=1-5&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=T_NUn9Y2WnUAX-9oIsT&_nc_ht=scontent.fbgy1-1.fna&oh=bae1cbb6e9aaae31e8352e43c71acd01&oe=61AB18CE |date=6 November 2021 }} on The [Tonga Chronicle](/source/Tonga_Chronicle) | apps1 = | points1 = | repyears1 = 1990 | repyears2 = 1992–2000 | repteam1 = [Tonga](/source/Tonga_national_rugby_union_team) | repteam2 = [United States](/source/United_States_national_rugby_union_team) | repcaps1 = 1 | repcaps2 = 46 | reppoints1 = 0 | reppoints2 = 130 | ru_ntupdate = 10 February 2014{{cite web |title=Vaea Anitoni |url=http://planet-rugby.com/stats/players/player_details.phtml/p_r/ENG?playerCode=UAN2&search_text=&navCode=US&tm1Code=US&setCode=country |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040816025215/http://planet-rugby.com/stats/players/player_details.phtml/p_r/ENG?playerCode=UAN2&search_text=&navCode=US&tm1Code=US&setCode=country |url-status=dead |archive-date=2004-08-16 |website=Planet Rugby |access-date=31 July 2025}} | repsevensyears1 = | repsevensteam1 = [United States](/source/United_States_national_rugby_sevens_team) | ru_sevensupdate = | repsevenscomp1 = }} '''Vaea Naufahu Anitoni''' (born 20 September 1970) is an American former [rugby union](/source/rugby_union) player who played wing. Anitoni is the all-time leading try scorer for the [U.S. national team](/source/United_States_national_rugby_union_team). Anitoni played for the [United States national team](/source/United_States_national_rugby_union_team) from 1992 to 2000. During that period, Anitoni played in 46 matches, starting 44, and scored 26 tries, a record which still stands today.{{cite web |title=US Rugby Legend Ponders HOF, Tries Record |url=https://www.florugby.com/articles/6425563-us-rugby-legend-ponders-hof-tries-record |website=Flo rugby |access-date=5 September 2021 |archive-date=2 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802105034/https://www.florugby.com/articles/6425563-us-rugby-legend-ponders-hof-tries-record |url-status=live }} == International career == Anitoni made his debut 13 June 1992 against Canada, and scored his first try in his next match for the US on 21 May 1994 against Canada.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/statsguru/rugby/player/11210.html|title=Rugby Union - ESPN Scrum - Statsguru - Player analysis - Vaea Anitoni - Test matches|website=ESPN scrum}} Anitoni's peak years for the national team were from 1996–1998, when he scored 22 tries in 28 matches. Anitoni twice scored 4 tries in a single match – once against Japan in July 1996 and again against Portugal in April 1998. Anitoni played at the [1999 Rugby World Cup](/source/1999_Rugby_World_Cup), where he started 3 matches,{{Cite web|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/player/11210.html|title=Vaea Naufahu Anitoni|website=ESPN scrum}} and was regarded as a game breaker and a key player for the US national team.{{cite web |title=Key player: Vaea Anitoni |date=17 September 1999 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/rugby_world_cup/teams/usa/449740.stm |publisher=[BBC News](/source/BBC_News) |access-date=25 July 2012 |archive-date=17 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917040811/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/rugby_world_cup/teams/usa/449740.stm |url-status=live }} Anitoni also played sevens for the [U.S. national sevens team](/source/United_States_national_rugby_sevens_team). During the mid to late 1990s Anitoni was regarded as one of the most consistent players for the U.S., due to his ability as a creator with speed.{{cite web | title=Frederick Rugby Football Club, 1999 News Archives | url=http://www.frederickrugby.org/archives/news_archive_1999.html | access-date=25 July 2012 | archive-date=4 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032407/http://www.frederickrugby.org/archives/news_archive_1999.html | url-status=dead }} Anitoni was a member of the preliminary squad for the United States during the 2000 Rugby World Cup Sevens.{{Cite web|url=http://web.usarugby.org/cgi-bin/viadesto/press/display.pl?releaseId=28|title=USA Rugby, USA Names Preliminary Squad for RWC7s|access-date=25 July 2012|archive-date=13 July 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713170824/http://web.usarugby.org/cgi-bin/viadesto/press/display.pl?releaseId=28|url-status=live}} ==Club rugby== Anitoni played for the Pomona rugby club, San Francisco's Olympic Club, and the San Mateo club which claimed the national sevens championship in 1997.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xdV_JV1fbZMC|title=Encyclopedia of Ethnicity and Sports in the United States|last=Kirsch|first=George B.|last2=Harris|first2=Othello|last3=Nolte|first3=Claire Elaine|date=1 January 2000|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=9780313299117|language=en}} ==International tries== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! scope=col| Try ! scope=col| Opposing team ! scope=col| Venue ! scope=col| Competition ! scope=col| Date ! scope=col| Result ! scope=col| Score ! scope=col class=unsortable|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- ! scope=row| 1 || {{ru|CAN}} || [George Allen Field](/source/George_Allen_Field), [Long Beach](/source/Long_Beach%2C_California) || [Test match](/source/Test_match_(rugby_union)) || {{dts|format=dmy|1994|May|21}} || Lost || 10–15 || {{Cite web | url = http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/22788.html | website = espn.co.uk | publisher = [ESPN](/source/ESPN) | access-date = 7 November 2018 | title = Canada Tour - Long Beach, 21 May 1994 | df = mdy-all | archive-date = 2 June 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190602160902/http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/22788.html | url-status = live }} |- ! scope=row| 2 || {{ru|ARG}} || [George Allen Field](/source/George_Allen_Field), [Long Beach](/source/Long_Beach%2C_California) || [1995 Rugby World Cup Qualifier](/source/1995_Rugby_World_Cup_%E2%80%93_Americas_qualification) || {{dts|format=dmy|1994|May|28}} || Lost || 22–28 || {{Cite web | url = http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/22791.html | website = espn.co.uk | publisher = [ESPN](/source/ESPN) | access-date = 7 November 2018 | title = 1995 Rugby World Cup Qualifier, Americas, Round 2 - Long Beach, 28 May 1994 | df = mdy-all | archive-date = 20 June 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180620024640/http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/22791.html | url-status = live }} |- ! scope=row| 3 || {{ru|Ireland}} || [Lansdowne Road](/source/Lansdowne_Road), [Dublin](/source/Dublin) || [Test match](/source/Test_match_(rugby_union)) || {{dts|format=dmy|1994|November|5}} || Lost || 15–26 || {{Cite web | url = http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/22862.html | website = espn.co.uk | publisher = [ESPN](/source/ESPN) | access-date = 7 November 2018 | title = United States of America Tour - Lansdowne Road, 5 November 1994 | df = mdy-all }} |- ! scope=row| 4 | {{ru|CAN}} || [Boxer Stadium](/source/Boxer_Stadium), [San Francisco](/source/San_Francisco) || [1996 Pacific Rim Championship](/source/Pacific_Rim_Rugby_Championship) || {{dts|format=dmy|1996|May|11}} || Won || 19–12 || {{Cite web | url = http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23062.html | website = espn.co.uk | publisher = [ESPN](/source/ESPN) | access-date = 7 November 2018 | title = Pacific Rim Championship - San Francisco, 11 May 1996 | df = mdy-all }} |- ! scope=row| 5 | {{ru|CAN}} || [Thunderbird Stadium](/source/Thunderbird_Stadium), [Vancouver](/source/Vancouver) || [1996 Pacific Rim Championship](/source/Pacific_Rim_Rugby_Championship) || {{dts|format=dmy|1996|May|18}} || Lost || 20–24 || {{Cite web | url = http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23069.html | website = espn.co.uk | publisher = [ESPN](/source/ESPN) | access-date = 7 November 2018 | title = Pacific Rim Championship - Vancouver, 18 May 1996 | df = mdy-all | archive-date = 8 November 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181108025636/http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23069.html | url-status = live }} |- ! scope=row| 6 | rowspan=2| {{ru|JPN}} || rowspan=2| [Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium](/source/Chichibunomiya_Rugby_Stadium), [Tokyo](/source/Tokyo) || rowspan=2| [1996 Pacific Rim Championship](/source/Pacific_Rim_Rugby_Championship) || rowspan=2| {{dts|format=dmy|1996|June|16}} || rowspan=2| Lost || rowspan=2| 18–24 || rowspan=2| {{Cite web | url = http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23080.html | website = espn.co.uk | publisher = [ESPN](/source/ESPN) | access-date = 7 November 2018 | title = Pacific Rim Championship - Tokyo, 16 June 1996, 14:00 local, 05:00 GMT | df = mdy-all | archive-date = 12 June 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142442/http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23080.html | url-status = live }} |- ! scope=row| 7 |- ! scope=row| 8 | rowspan=2| {{ru|HKG}} || rowspan=2| [Boxer Stadium](/source/Boxer_Stadium), [San Francisco](/source/San_Francisco) || rowspan=2| [1996 Pacific Rim Championship](/source/Pacific_Rim_Rugby_Championship) || rowspan=2| {{dts|format=dmy|1996|June|29}} || rowspan=2| Won || rowspan=2| 42–23 || rowspan=2| {{Cite web | url = http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23087.html | website = espn.co.uk | publisher = [ESPN](/source/ESPN) | access-date = 7 November 2018 | title = Pacific Rim Championship - San Francisco, 29 June 1996 | df = mdy-all | archive-date = 12 June 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142052/http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23087.html | url-status = live }} |- ! scope=row| 9 |- ! scope=row| 10 | rowspan=4| {{ru|JPN}} || rowspan=4| [Boxer Stadium](/source/Boxer_Stadium), [San Francisco](/source/San_Francisco) || rowspan=4| [1996 Pacific Rim Championship](/source/Pacific_Rim_Rugby_Championship) || rowspan=4| {{dts|format=dmy|1996|July|6}} || rowspan=4| Won || rowspan=4| 74–5 || rowspan=4| {{Cite web | url = http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23090.html | website = espn.co.uk | publisher = [ESPN](/source/ESPN) | access-date = 7 November 2018 | title = Pacific Rim Championship - San Francisco, 6 July 1996, 16:00 local, 23:00 GMT | df = mdy-all }} |- ! scope=row| 11 |- ! scope=row| 12 |- ! scope=row| 13 |- ! scope=row| 14 | {{ru|URY}} || [Fletcher's Fields](/source/Fletcher's_Fields), [Markham](/source/Markham%2C_Ontario) || [1996 Pan-American Championship](/source/PARA_Pan_American_Championship) || {{dts|format=dmy|1996|September|21}} || Won || 27–13 || {{Cite web | url = http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23112.html | website = espn.co.uk | publisher = [ESPN](/source/ESPN) | access-date = 7 November 2018 | title = Pan-American Championship - Markham, 21 September 1996 | df = mdy-all }} |- ! scope=row| 15 | {{ru|JPN}} || [Boxer Stadium](/source/Boxer_Stadium), [San Francisco](/source/San_Francisco) || [1997 Pacific Rim Championship](/source/Pacific_Rim_Rugby_Championship) || {{dts|format=dmy|1997|June|7}} || Won || 51–29 || {{Cite web | url = http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23241.html | website = espn.co.uk | publisher = [ESPN](/source/ESPN) | access-date = 7 November 2018 | title = Pacific Rim Championship - San Francisco, 7 June 1997, 13:00 local, 20:00 GMT | df = mdy-all }} |- ! scope=row| 16 || {{ru|WAL}} || Wilimington || [Test match](/source/Test_match_(rugby_union)) || {{dts|format=dmy|1997|July|5}} || Lost || 20–30 || {{Cite web | url = http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23269.html | website = espn.co.uk | publisher = [ESPN](/source/ESPN) | access-date = 7 November 2018 | title = Wales Tour - Wilmington, 5 July 1997 | df = mdy-all }} |- ! scope=row| 17 || {{ru|WAL}} || [Boxer Stadium](/source/Boxer_Stadium), [San Francisco](/source/San_Francisco) || [Test match](/source/Test_match_(rugby_union)) || {{dts|format=dmy|1997|July|12}} || Lost || 23–28 || {{Cite web | url = http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23270.html | website = espn.co.uk | publisher = [ESPN](/source/ESPN) | access-date = 7 November 2018 | title = Wales Tour - San Francisco, 12 July 1997 | df = mdy-all | archive-date = 8 November 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181108025707/http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23270.html | url-status = live }} |- ! scope=row| 18 | rowspan=4| {{ru|PRT}} || rowspan=4| [Estádio Universitário de Lisboa](/source/Est%C3%A1dio_Universit%C3%A1rio_de_Lisboa), [Lisbon](/source/Lisbon) || rowspan=4| [Test match](/source/Test_match_(rugby_union)) || rowspan=4| {{dts|format=dmy|1998|April|8}} || rowspan=4| Won || rowspan=4| 61–5 || rowspan=4| {{Cite web | url = http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23373.html | website = espn.co.uk | publisher = [ESPN](/source/ESPN) | access-date = 7 November 2018 | title = United States of America Tour - Lisbon, 8 April 1998 | df = mdy-all | archive-date = 12 June 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180612184803/http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23373.html | url-status = live }} |- ! scope=row| 19 |- ! scope=row| 20 |- ! scope=row| 21 |- ! scope=row| 22 | rowspan=2| {{ru|ESP}} || rowspan=2| [El Puerto de Santa María](/source/El_Puerto_de_Santa_Mar%C3%ADa) || rowspan=2| [Test match](/source/Test_match_(rugby_union)) || rowspan=2| {{dts|format=dmy|1998|April|12}} || rowspan=2| Won || rowspan=2| 49–3 || rowspan=2| {{Cite web | url = http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23375.html | website = espn.co.uk | publisher = [ESPN](/source/ESPN) | access-date = 7 November 2018 | title = United States of America Tour - El Puerto de Santa Maria, 12 April 1998 | df = mdy-all | archive-date = 12 June 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180612185039/http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23375.html | url-status = live }} |- ! scope=row| 23 |- ! scope=row| 24 | {{ru|HKG}} || [Aberdeen Stadium](/source/Aberdeen_Sports_Ground), [Hong Kong](/source/Hong_Kong) || [1998 Pacific Rim Championship](/source/Pacific_Rim_Rugby_Championship) || {{dts|format=dmy|1998|May|16}} || Lost || 25–43 || {{Cite web | url = http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23399.html | website = espn.co.uk | publisher = [ESPN](/source/ESPN) | access-date = 7 November 2018 | title = Pacific Rim Championship - Hong Kong, 16 May 1998 | df = mdy-all | archive-date = 8 November 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181108025726/http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23399.html | url-status = live }} |- ! scope=row| 25 | {{ru|ARG}} || Cricket and Rugby Club, [Buenos Aires](/source/Buenos_Aires) || [1999 Rugby World Cup Qualifier](/source/1999_Rugby_World_Cup_%E2%80%93_Americas_qualification) || {{dts|format=dmy|1998|August|15}} || Lost || 24–52 || {{Cite web | url = http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23438.html | website = espn.co.uk | publisher = [ESPN](/source/ESPN) | access-date = 7 November 2018 | title = 1999 Rugby World Cup Qualifier, Americas, Round 4 - Buenos Aires, 15 August 1998 | df = mdy-all | archive-date = 13 June 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180613040702/http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23438.html | url-status = live }} |- ! scope=row| 26 | {{ru|CAN}} || Stanley Park, [Toronto](/source/Toronto) || [1999 Pacific Rim Championship](/source/Pacific_Rim_Rugby_Championship) || {{dts|format=dmy|1999|June|19}} || Won || 18–17 || {{Cite web | url = http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23621.html | website = espn.co.uk | publisher = [ESPN](/source/ESPN) | access-date = 7 November 2018 | title = Pacific Rim Championship - Toronto, 19 June 1999 | df = mdy-all | archive-date = 14 June 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180614021234/http://en.espn.co.uk/statsguru/rugby/match/23621.html | url-status = live }} |} ==Honors== ;Individual *US Rugby Hall of Fame{{cite web |title=Fairfield man first Polynesian native into US Rugby Hall of Fame |url=https://www.dailyrepublic.com/all-dr-news/sports/fairfield-man-first-polynesian-native-into-us-rugby-hall-of-fame/ |website=Daily Republic |access-date=25 December 2020 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127083654/https://www.dailyrepublic.com/all-dr-news/sports/fairfield-man-first-polynesian-native-into-us-rugby-hall-of-fame/ |url-status=live }} *US all time leading try scorer ==References== {{Reflist}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Anitoni, Vaea}} Category:American rugby union players Category:Living people Category:1970 births Category:United States international rugby union players Category:Tonga international rugby union players Category:Rugby union wings Category:1999 Rugby World Cup players Category:American people of Tongan descent --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Vaea Anitoni](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaea_Anitoni) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaea_Anitoni?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.