Hurricanes

Bio

Samoan 2011 Rugby World Cup first five-eighth Tusi Pisi returns to New Zealand rugby from champion Japanese club Suntory where he has been based since 2009, following a stint with Toulon from 2007-2009. He is one of five Japanese Top League players who will line-up for a New Zealand team in the 2012 Super Rugby competition, including new Hurricanes teammate Tim Bateman.

A crusader in 2007, Pisi’s one previous Super Rugby cap was in 2007 when he came off the bench to replace Bateman. Pisi played for North Harbour between 2003-2006, earning exactly 50 provincial caps in that time.

Pisi starred for Samoa in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, having a standout game in his side’s 5-13 loss to South Africa at Albany, where he ran hard at the defence and consistently sparked his side on to attack. He also kicked Samoa to victory in their 27-7 win over Fiji, landing four penalties and a dropped goal. Previously, Pisi made his Samoan debut in 2010 in a Test against Japan, after playing internationals for the Pacific Islands team in 2006.

Stats

Provincial Teams

North Harbour

Provincial Points

114 (9t, 18c. 10p, 1d)

Provincial Caps

50

Provincial Debut

2003 v Taranaki

Super Rugby Caps

1

Super Rugby Debut

2007 v Sharks (Crusaders)

Test Caps

9 (Samoa and Pacific Islands)

Test Points

51 (1t, 8c, 9p, 1d)

Test Debut

2006 v Wales (Pacific Islands)

Rugby facts