Ma'ama Molitika rugby player
Ma'ama Molitika rugby player

Ma'ama Molitika

26th Aug 1974 1.96m/108kg No. 8

18-times capped Tongan international, Molitika made his international debut in June 1997 against Fiji and went on to represent them at the 2007 Rugby World Cup,

Beginning his career with South Wales-based club Bridgend in 2001, Molitika became the club's joint top try scorer on his second season, winning the Welsh Premiership.

After just 11 appearances for Bridgend, he joined the Celtic Warriors in 2003/14 following the regionalisation of Welsh rugby that season.

One of Welsh rugby’s most popular overseas imports, Molitika played one season with the Celtic Warriors before the side was dissolved at the end of the 2003–04 season, prompting his move to Harlequin F.C. in the English premiership.

After a season with the Quins, he spent a year in Japan representing club IBM Big Blue, with whom he made 112 appearances, scoring 85 points for the semi-professional club.

However, it was announced in 2007 that he would be returning to Wales with Cardiff Blues as cover for players that would be absent due to Wales' World Cup campaign, as well as covering for any injured players.

After outstanding performances for the Cardiff Blues, Molitika established himself as the team's first-choice flanker with his effective ball-carrying and his tireless work-rate.

He made 21 appearances for the Welsh club before signing a deal with Paul Turner’s Ampthill, helping the Bedfordshire club climb up the grades to the second-tier Championship in 2019.

In April 2020, he announced his retirement from rugby aged 45.



Career

Bridgend RFC 1st Team
No. 8
2001 - present
22GMtO5n_400x400 Harlequins
No. 8
2004 - 2005
image (1) Cardiff Rugby
No. 8
2007 - 2012
nYOQ2IQd_400x400 Ampthill Rugby
No. 8
2013 - 2020