Tinirau Arona


Tinirau Arona is a Cook Islands international rugby league footballer who plays as a and for Wakefield Trinity in the Super League.
He previously played for the Sydney Roosters and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the NRL.

Background

Arona was born in Dunedin, New Zealand. He is of Cook Islands descent and moved to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia as an 11-year-old.
He played his junior rugby league for the St Clair Comets, before being signed by the Penrith Panthers. Arona is cousins with Penrith Panthers and Cook Islands representative player Tupou Sopoaga.

Playing career

On 4 October 2006, Arona made his international début for the Cook Islands national rugby league team as a 17-year-old, playing off the interchange bench and scored the Cook Islands only try in the 46-6 loss to the Samoa national rugby league team. In October 2009, Arona played 2 matches for the Cook Islands national rugby league team in the Pacific Cup. Arona played in the Penrith Panthers NYC team in 2008-2009 before moving on to play for the Sydney Roosters NSW Cup team the Newtown Jets in 2010 where Arona was awarded the club's best and fairest and best forward. Earning himself a contract with the Sydney Roosters.

Sydney Roosters

2011

In Round 4 of the 2011 NRL season, Arona made his NRL début for the Sydney Roosters, playing off the interchange bench in the Roosters 24-6 victory over the Wests Tigers at SFS. Arona finished his début year in the NRL with him playing in 13 matches for the Sydney Roosters in the 2011 NRL season. On 3 November 2011 The annual RLIF Awards dinner was held at the Tower of London and Arona was named Cook Islands' player of the year.

2012

In Round 9 against the Newcastle Knights at SFS, Arona scored his first NRL career try in the Roosters 24-6 win. Arona finished the 2012 NRL season with him playing in 20 matches and scoring 3 tries for the Sydney Roosters.

2013

In July 2013, Arona represented the NSW Residents side. Arona finished the 2013 NRL season with him playing in 3 matches for the Sydney Roosters. Arona was part of the Cook Islands national rugby league team that participated in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup playing at lock in all 3 matches for the Cook Islands. On 6 December 2013, Arona signed with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks after getting released from his contract with the Sydney Roosters.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

2014

In Round 1 of the 2014 NRL season, Arona made his National Rugby League Premiership début for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, scoring a try in the Sharks 18-12 loss to the Gold Coast Titans at Remondis Stadium. Arona finished his first year with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the 2014 NRL season with him playing in 21 matches and scoring 3 tries.

Wakefield Trinity (Wildcats)

On 5 November 2015, Arona signed a 1-year contract with Super League side Wakefield Trinity Wildcats starting in 2016.