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Pita Gus Sowakula
Full namePita Gus Nacagilevu Sowakula
Date of birth (1994-10-26) 26 October 1994 (age 30)
Place of birthLautoka, Fiji
Height195 cm (6 ft 5 in)
Weight110 kg (243 lb; 17 st 5 lb)
SchoolCentral College Lautoka
Rugby union career
Position(s) Number 8, Flanker, Lock
Current team Taranaki, Chiefs
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017–2023 Taranaki 47 (30)
2018–2023 Chiefs 66 (55)
2023– Clermont 0 (0)
Correct as of 5 June 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2020 Moana Pasifika 1 (0)
2022 New Zealand 2 (5)
Correct as of 9 July 2022

Pita Gus Nacagilevu Sowakula (/soʊˈwɑːˈkuːlə/; born 26 October 1994) is a Fijian professional rugby union footballer who plays as a flanker for New Zealand franchise Chiefs. In his youth career, he played basketball and was selected in the 2012 FIBA Oceania Under 19 Championships for Fiji.

Sowakula represents the Taranaki provincial team and made his professional debut for the union in 2017 at the age of 22.[1] He spent a season at the Mitre 10 Cup side, before earning a short-term place in the Chiefs 2018 Super Rugby squad.[2] He has defended the Ranfurly Shield with Taranaki in 2017 and was named Most Promising Player of the Year at the TRFU Amber and Black awards.[3] He has scored 15 career tries in all competitions. Sowakula made his senior basketball international debut for Fiji in 2013 aged 19, becoming one of the youngest players to represent Fiji.[4] He played in the 2013 Oceania Championships

Early life

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Pita Gus Nacagilevu Sowakula was born on 26 October 1994 in Lautoka, a son of Selina Balenacagi and nephew of Ropate Robanakadavu.[5] Growing up, Robanakadavu raised Sowakula when he was only eight months old after his mother was in school.[6] He attended Suva Grammar School and Central College Lautoka, where he learned to play basketball and rugby union.[6] After secondary school, Sowakula was chosen to play for the Nadro rugby league team that toured Brisbane and was named in the Fiji Residents representative side.[7] He was also a member of the Fiji national sevens training squad during their preparation towards the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.[5]

In the most part of Sowakula's early basketball career, he played predominantly as an amateur in Fiji. He featured for the Raiwaqa-based Boston White side, playing in local Fijian tournaments such as the Raiwaqa Basketball Super League.[8] His form saw him make his international debut during the Oceania Youth Championship competition in Melbourne in 2012.[9] He was also selected to be part of the Oceania Youth All Stars and the Oceania Open team in the same year whilst winning a bronze medal.[10]

Basketball career

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Pita Gus Sowakula
Career information
CollegeIowa Central Community
Playing career2012–2017
PositionCenter
Number15, 24
Career history
2015Fiji
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Fiji
Pacific Games
Silver medal – second place 2015 Port Moresby Team
FIBA Oceania U19 Championship
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Melbourne Team

2013–15

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In 2013, Sowakula was a member of the Fijian national basketball team that took part in the Oceania Championships in New Zealand where he was also awarded the best player of the tournament, making the competitions All Stars side.[11] His performances during the competition led to him being scouted by Iowa Central Community College for the following year.[12] He joined siblings Milika and Mataika Koyamainavure after Fiji Basketball development officer Laisiasa Puamau confirmed the news in May 2014.[12]

Sowakula was brought into the Otago Nuggets to participate in their 2014 campaign after a respectable showing at the Oceania Championships in New Zealand.[13] Player-coach, Mark Dickel decided to sign Sowakula to the squad as they were looking for a replacement for fellow Fijian, Marques Whippy. He suited up for the Nuggets during their match against the Taranaki Mountainairs after arriving in Dunedin the week before.[13] He didn't live quite up to Dickel's standards after he stated his belief that Sowakula was not ready for the New Zealand National Basketball League, and instead called in former representative Tom Rowe as cover.[14] Sowakula did not make his debut for the Nuggets.[15]

2015 saw Fiji name a strong squad to compete in the Pacific Games in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea in July. The side included the services of Sowakula.[16] They defeated Papua New Guinea in the semi-final, giving them a chance to reach the World Championship Asia qualifiers.[17] Sowakula and experienced players Marques Whippy and Joshua Fox stood out after putting together a good combination of tactics which was too much for their opposition to handle.[17] Overall, Sowakula won a silver medal after Fiji lost to Guam in the final.[18]

Rugby career

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2016–18

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Sowakula arrived in New Zealand from Fiji at the end of 2016 after his agent promised a deal with Taranaki Rugby to place him in the union's academy. Originally a winger, he converted to the back row and represented the side's development team as they went through their representative season unbeaten, winning the northern regions competition in the process.[19] After a stand-out year and being named one of the club players of the year for Spotswood United Rugby Club, Sowakula earned his call-up into the Taranaki Mitre 10 Cup side for their 2017 campaign.[20] He made his debut for the province, making the match-day fifteen at blindside flanker against Waikato.[1] Sowakula took time to adjust but produced some stand-out displays, starting in all nine appearances and scoring three tries. He also was a part of Taranaki's historic Ranfurly Shield victory over Canterbury and their impressive top of the table finish.[21] At seasons-end Sowakula was awarded most promising player of the year for the union.[3]

Sowakula was signed short-term for the Chiefs in their 2018 Super Rugby season. He joined during the sides injury crisis after season-ending injuries to Dominic Bird, Mitchell Brown and Fin Hoeata.[2] Sowakula was named in the reserves against the Highlanders in Hamilton in cover of locks Brodie Retallick and Tyler Ardron. He made his first appearance in the competition replacing Liam Messam in the 66th minute.[22] Sowakula made a further six appearances for the franchise.[23]

In August 2018, Sowakula returned to play for Taranaki in a Ranfurly Shield defense against Manawatu.[24] He was involved in an accidental head collision with Counties Manukau captain Sam Henwood in Pukekohe. Sowakula was unaffected by the incident but Henwood was taken to the hospital after suffering a concussion.[25] He was later ruled out for the remainder of the season after sustaining a minor shoulder injury.[26] Sowakula received three Duane Monkley Medal points for his performance against Auckland but featured in a disappointing Taranaki campaign that finished in last place.[27]

2019–2022

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Sowakula rejoined the Chiefs squad for their upcoming season after head coach Colin Cooper named his inclusion during the 2019 Super Rugby side announcement in October 2018.[28] He made consecutive appearances from the reserves and started at both flanker and number 8 after being called up midway through the year once recovered from an injury that had him earlier sidelined.[29] Sowakula scored his maiden Super Rugby try against the Reds in Hamilton and lead the game in most individual tackles with 25.[30] He was also named in SANZAAR round fifteen team of the week after making the most tackles of any player, scoring a try and was the only forward in the round to make multiple clean breaks in his performance against the Reds.[31]

Near the end of his second season with the Chiefs, Sowakula made comment on possible selection for the Fiji national team for their 2019 Rugby World Cup squad. After discussions with coach John McKee, he chose not to make himself available.[32] In August 2019, he received player of the match and picked up three Duane Monkley Medal points in his return to the Mitre 10 Cup competition with Taranaki against Manawatu.[33] He would later overcome a minor injury sustained against Northland to be reselected for a Ranfurly Shield challenge against Otago midway into the season.[34] Sowakula scored his fourth domestic try in a defeat to Waikato in Hamilton.[35]

In 2021, Sowakula had another great season for the Chiefs. Having earned a surprise call-up to the Chiefs midway through the 2018 season, the 1.95m, 110kg power player has gone from strength to strength in 33 appearances for the club, being a standout in a losing cause in 2020, and now hitting his straps again on a comeback from injury.[36]

In 2022, Sowakulas was in excellent form for the Chiefs and lead him to being named in the All Blacks squad for the Ireland series. His impressive performances in 2018 earned him a full-time spot in the Chiefs and since then has been a regular face in the match day 23. His performances in the 2022 DHL Super Rugby Pacific Season has seen many take note of the powerful number 8, who impressed with his work-rate and explosive ball carrying.[37] The All Blacks won the first test with Sowakula coming off the bench and scoring on his debut against Ireland as the All Blacks won 42-19. His second test appearance would be disappointing as the All Blacks lost 30-24. Sowakula had less of an impact knocking on a first up pass and was dropped for the 3rd test which was lost 32-22 to Ireland. The sacking of All Black assistant coaches Brad Mooar and John Plumtree in the aftermath of the Irish series and the hiring of Jason Ryan as forwards coach would impact Sowakula.[38] When the Rugby Championship squad was named Sowakula's name was missing. Shannon Frizell was named in the squad with Sowakula being the man to make way after two shaky appearances off the bench in the first two tests against Ireland – despite scoring a try off the back of the scrum at Eden Park he dropped the first passes to come his way in both games.[39] Sowakula returned to Taranaki and the NPC in the hopes of rediscovering his form. However he suffered a knee injury during the competition and his match time was curtailed. When the wider squads for the All Blacks and NZ 15 teams Northern Hemisphere tour were named he was not included in the top 60 players. Two appearances off the bench mark the extent of Sowakula's international career to date after missing selection in both the Rugby Championship and upcoming Northern Tour. Ryan explained that the wealth of competition for loose forward positions was all that separated Sowakula from a return to the jersey, saying that based on form, other players were better suited to the upcoming tour.[40]

After being dropped by the All Black selectors, Sowakula made the decision to head overseas after the 2023 season. In December 2022 he signed a two year contract for Clermont beginnng 2023 - 2024 season , with an option of a third, and comes into a squad desperate for a big ball-carrying number eight with Samoan international Fritz Lee set to leave the side[41]

2023

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In his final season Sowakula made 16 appearances for the Chiefs where they made the Super Rugby final losing to the Crusaders. Sowakula made 12 appearances for Taranaki in the NPC, helping them make the NPC final defeating Hawkes Bay. Sowakula did not make the All Blacks squad for the Rugby World Cup.

Statistics

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Club Year Competition GP GS TRY CON PEN DGL PTS WL% Yellow card Red card
Taranaki 2017† Bunnings NPC
(incl. Ranfurly Shield) 		9 9 3 0 0 0 15 88.89 0 0
2018 7 5 0 0 0 0 0 28.57 0 0
2019 9 9 1 0 0 0 5 44.44 0 0
2020† 6 5 0 0 0 0 0 33.33 0 0
2021† 9 9 1 0 0 0 5 100.00 0 0
Chiefs 2018 Super Rugby Pacific 7 4 0 0 0 0 0 57.14 0 0
2019 8 5 1 0 0 0 5 62.50 0 0
2020 13 11 1 0 0 0 5 23.08 0 0
2021 11 7 2 0 0 0 10 72.73 0 0
2022 14 13 5 0 0 0 25 71.43 0 0
Career 93 77 14 0 0 0 70 59.14 0 0

Updated: 12 June 2022 Source: Pita G Sowakula Rugby History

References

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  1. ^ a b Glenn McLean (17 August 2017). "Top Taranaki team rolled out to face Waikato". Stuff. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Fijian forward poised for Chiefs debut". Radio Sport. 29 March 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  3. ^ a b Glenn McLean (18 October 2017). "Toa Halafihi named player of the year". Stuff. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  4. ^ "Pita Gus Nacagilevu Sowakula". Team Fiji. 15 September 2017. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  5. ^ a b Eroni Tuinuku (28 June 2018). "Gus home to play". The Fiji Times. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  6. ^ a b Karalaini Tavi (28 June 2018). "Happy To Raise Gus". Fiji Sun. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  7. ^ Josateki Kunaluvea (13 October 2015). "Nadro rugby league tour". The Fiji Times. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  8. ^ "Boston White sets basketball target". The Fiji Times. 30 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  9. ^ "2012 FIBA U19 Oceania Pacific Youth Basketball Championships". FASONOC. 22 May 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  10. ^ "All Star teams named at Youth Championships". Fiji Basketball. 19 December 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  11. ^ Anasilini Ratuva (30 November 2013). "Sowakula Shines For Fiji". Fiji Sun Online. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  12. ^ a b Anasilini Ratuva (25 May 2014). "Gus Bound For Iowa, USA". Fiji Sun Online. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  13. ^ a b Adrian Seconi (2 May 2014). "Basketball: Learning process for latest Nuggets recruit". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  14. ^ Adrian Seconi (15 May 2014). "Basketball: Nuggets still after another big body". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  15. ^ "Statistics for OceanaGold Nuggets playing in 2014 Bartercard National Basketball League". NZNBL. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Fiji Pacific Games Squad". Pacific Games 2015. 15 September 2017. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  17. ^ a b Anasilini Ratuva (12 July 2015). "Fijians Into Final". Fiji Sun Online. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  18. ^ A.T. Garrido (26 December 2015). "Guam wins men's basketball gold". Pacific Daily News. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  19. ^ Glenn McLean (16 August 2017). "Sowakula no longer winging it". Stuff. Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  20. ^ "Mitre 10 Cup Squads 2017". Mitre 10 Cup. 9 August 2017. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  21. ^ Robert van Royen (6 October 2017). "Taranaki stun Canterbury to snatch the Ranfurly Shield in Christchurch". Stuff. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  22. ^ Christopher Reive (1 April 2018). "Super Rugby: Winger-turned-loose forward Pita-Gus Sowakula relishes Super Rugby debut". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  23. ^ "Super Rugby - SEASON 2017-2018 - Games played". It's Rugby. 12 September 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  24. ^ "Three debutants in Bulls side to face Manawatū in Ranfurly Shield contest". Stuff. 23 August 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  25. ^ Joseph Pearson (31 August 2018). "Counties Manukau's Sam Henwood avoids broken jaw after sickening clash of heads". Stuff. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  26. ^ "PREVIEW: Canterbury v Taranaki". All Blacks. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  27. ^ Helen Harvey (15 October 2018). "Taranaki Bulls horror season comes to end with relegation out of premier rugby division". Stuff. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  28. ^ Grant Chapman (31 October 2018). "Waikato wing Sevu Reece missing from Chiefs squad". Newshub. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
  29. ^ Aaron Goile (31 May 2019). "Super Rugby: Chiefs No 8 Pita Gus Sowakula hoping for happy homecoming in Fiji". Stuff. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  30. ^ "Heroic defensive effort keeps Chiefs alive". Super Rugby. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  31. ^ "Super Rugby Round #15 Team of the Week". SANZAAR. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  32. ^ Akuila Cama (1 June 2019). "Pita Gus will be available for Fiji in 2 years". FBC News. Retrieved 15 June 2019.
  33. ^ "Pita Gus Sowakula the difference in Yarrows Taranaki win". Taranaki Rugby. 17 August 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  34. ^ "Taranaki Bulls ready for tough Ranfurly Shield challenge against Otago". Stuff. 6 September 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  35. ^ "Match Report: Waikato 38 Taranaki 19". Waikato Rugby Union. 7 October 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2020.
  36. ^ "Stuff".
  37. ^ "Six new caps in All Blacks squad for 2022 Steinlager Series". 13 June 2022.
  38. ^ "Plumtree and Mooar axed as All Blacks ring coaching changes".
  39. ^ "Stuff".
  40. ^ "Ryan addresses Sowakula snubbing, says door is never "closed" for possible return".
  41. ^ "New Zealand: Clermont sign two-Test All Black Pita Gus Sowakula". 12 December 2022.
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