Va'aiga Lealuga Tuigamala , sometimes known as Inga Tuigamala, is a former professional rugby union and rugby league player. Born in Samoa, he represented New Zealand in rugby union, winning 19 caps, and later Samoa in both rugby league and rugby union. He played in one rugby league and two rugby union World Cups. Tuigamala began his career in rugby union, and played provincially for Auckland. He changed rugby football codes from rugby union to rugby league, and became an integral part of the successful Wigan team of the 1990s. He changed rugby football codes from rugby league to rugby union after rugby union became professional, he played in England, winning championships with London Wasps and Newcastle Falcons. A centre or wing, he was known as a powerful runner, much larger than most wings in rugby union.
Playing career
Rugby union
Born in Faleasiu, Samoa, Tuigamala played in New Zealand for Ponsonby and Auckland. He represented New Zealand in rugby union as a winger from 1989, playing his first test match against the US in 1991. He won 19 caps, including playing at the 1991 world Cup. Nicknamed Inga the Winger, he converted to rugby league, signing with English club Wigan in 1993. His biography Inga the Winger by Bob Howitt was also published in 1993.
Rugby league
In rugby league, Tuigamala markedly improved his fitness and played as a centre in a very strong and successful Wigan team, winning several trophies over four seasons. Tuigamala played from the interchange bench in Wigan's 1994 World Club Challenge victory over Australian premiers, the Brisbane Broncos, in Brisbane. He also played international rugby league for Samoa, including at the 1995 World Cup. At the end of 1996's Super League I, Tuigamala was named at centre in the Super League Dream Team.
Return to rugby union
When rugby union became openly professional in 1995, Tuigamala was one of a number of former rugby union players who returned from rugby league. He played for London Wasps, winning the English Premiership, and later joined Newcastle Falcons in a world record £1m deal. He scored a hat-trick on his third appearance for Newcastle against Moseley at Kingston Park and was an important part of the 1998 Championship-winning side, making 16 appearances that season. He then delayed an arm operation to put in a Man of the Match performance in the 2001 Cup Final. Upon signing for the Falcons, teammate Doddie Weir called Tuigamala "simply the best rugby player in the world". He made his début for Western Samoa in 1996 against Ireland, going on to play 23 test matches, scoring 3 tries. He was an important part of the Samoa squad at the 1999 World Cup. He has been known for his Christian faith, and in particular for the influence he had on Jason Robinson, a teammate at Wigan. His contentment in life with God was something deeply moving for Robinson, and over their months of friendship, Tuigamala shared his Christian faith, though it wasn't until some time later that Robinson became a Christian.
