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Epi Taione

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Epi Taione
Taione in action for Harlequins
Full nameEpeili Taione
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight272 lb (123 kg)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker, Number Eight, Template:Wing, Template:Rugbycentre
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1998–2005
2005–2006
2006–2007
2007–2008
2008–2009
2009–present
Newcastle Falcons
Sale Sharks
Sanyo Wild Knights
Natal Sharks
Harlequins
Racing Métro
()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1999–present
2006–present
Tonga
Pacific Islanders

Epi Taione (born March 2, 1979) is a Tongan rugby union footballer who currently plays for Racing Métro 92 Paris. He normally plays at Template:Rugbycentre but can cover Template:Wing or back row forward.

He is often referred to as a 'giant' as at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) tall and 19 stone 6 pounds (123 kg) he is extremely large for a centre or wing.

He started his career at Newcastle Falcons. In the summer of 2005 he joined Sale Sharks on a two year contract. However, his contract was cancelled when he was banned for biting. After his ban he went to Japan to play for Sanyo Wild Knights.

Taione controversially changed his name to Paddy Power for the duration of the 2007 Rugby World Cup in a sponsorship deal agreed with the Irish bookmaker.[1]

He then went to play for the Natal Sharks but in the 2008 Super 14 he was suspended for five weeks after headbutting a Wellington Hurricanes player, and was also suspended for 2 weeks in the Pacific Nations Cup after dangerously tackling New Zealand Maori Number Eight Tom Waldrom. He next moved on to Harlequins but had little game time so moved on to french side Racing Métro 92 Paris in 2009.

References

  1. ^ "Paddy to Power Tonga to victory?". bbc.co.uk. 2007-09-04. Retrieved 2007-09-05. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)