Epi Taione
Epi Taione was born in Tonga on March 2nd, 1979 and is the Rugby Player. At the age of 45, Epi Taione biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.
At 45 years old, Epi Taione has this physical status:
Epi Taione (a.k.a. Paddy Power (born 2 March 1979) is a former Tongan rugby union footballer whose last club was London Welsh.
He usually played at center but could also cover the wing or back row.
Rugby career
He began his professional work with Newcastle Falcons. He joined Sale Sharks on a two-year deal in the summer of 2005. However, his deal was terminated after 18 weeks for biting Denis Leamy in a Heineken Cup match against Munster. Taione appeared in 5 games before his deal was terminated, and the Sale Sharks won their first ever Premiership title. Since being banned from playing for the Sanyo Wild Knights, he went to Japan to play for the Sanyo Wild Knights.
In a sponsorship agreement reached by Taione, Taione controversially changed his name to Paddy Power for the duration of the 2007 Rugby World Cup. The Tongan preparations for the World Cup were funded by the sponsorship agreement. The Tongans barely defeated South Africa's eventual winner, and they were only marginally defeated by England, the other finalist.
He went on to play for the Sharks in the 2008 Super 14 season, but after dangerously facing New Zealand's No. Eight, Thomas Waldrom, he was suspended for six weeks. He went to Harlequins but he didn't get much playing time and so moved on to Racing Métro 92 in 2009. He joined London Welsh in 2010.
At the 1999 and 2007 Rugby World Cups, he competed for Tonga. He has also competed for the Pacific Islanders.
In December 2011, Taione was forced to work due to a serious knee injury.
In the film Invictus, Taione had a small non-speaking role as a member of the New Zealand Rugby team.
He is a founding member of APBs aka The Brothers, an invitational club that has played a key role in the game's growth in Asia and the Pacific regions. He is involved in a few ventures around the world, including London's clubs and bars. He is a board member of the Tongan Rugby Union.