Sisa Waqa

Sisa Waqa(born 29 April 1986) is a Fijian retired professionalrugbyfootballer who last played forFC Grenoblein French Rugby Union. AFiji internationalrepresentative, Waqa primarily played on thewing.Waqa previously played for theSydney Roostersin 2009,Melbourne Stormbetween 2011 and 2014, where he won the2012 NRL premiershipand theCanberra Raidersbetween 2015 and 2016.

Sisa Waqa

Personal information
Full name	Sisa Ledua Waqa
Born	(1986-04-29)29 April 1986 Suva, Fiji
Height	186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	98 kg (15 st 6 lb)
Playing information
Rugby league
Position	Wing,Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2009–10 Sydney Roosters 7 2 0 0 8 2011–14 Melbourne Storm 67 41 0 0 164 2015–16 Canberra Raiders 21 6 0 0 24 Total 95 49 0 0 196 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2013–16 Fiji 6 2 0 0 0
Rugby union
Position	Centre,Wing,Fullback
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2016–17 Grenoble 9 1 0 0 5 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2007 Fiji 1 0 0 0 0
Source:

Early life

Born inSuva, Fijithe son of former Fijirugby unioninternational and formerFiji national sevensassistant coachEtuate Waqa.

Waqa was educated atRatu Kadavulevu Schooland was a member of theDeans Trophy-winning side in 2005 (which was shared withSuva Grammar School).He also represented2006 Fiji Under 18sand2006 Fiji Rugby Under 20s.

Waqa made a brief appearance for theFiji national rugby union teamin 2007 when he came off the bench as flyhalf in the 78th minute of a match againstAustralia A.Waqa moved toSydney,Australia in 2008, where he played forGordon RFCin theShute Shield.He was offered a contract with theACT Brumbiesin theSuper 15competition, but the deal fell through as the Brumbies had already reached their foreign-player allowance.

Playing career

2009

On 3 December 2008, Waqa signed a two-year contract with theSydney Roostersstarting from the2009 NRL season.In Round 4 of the2009 NRL seasonagainst theParramatta Eels,Waqa made hisNRLdebut for theSydney Roosterson thewingin the Roosters 24–6 win atSFS.In round 14 against theGold Coast Titans,Waqa scored his first and second NRL career tries in the Roosters 24–20 loss atCentral Coast Stadium.Waqa finished the2009 NRL seasonwith him played in 7 matches and scored 2 tries for the Sydney Roosters as the club finished last on the table and claimed the wooden spoon for the first time since 1966.

2010

Waqa then signed a three-year contract to play for French top-14 clubUS Montauban,however that fell through due to the club experiencing financial difficulties. Waqa then played in Sydney for the 2010 season in the local competition for Southern Districts beforeMelbourne StormcoachCraig Bellamywas notified of his availability.

2011

After a three-month trial during the pre-season, Waqa was signed to a one-year contract after impressing throughout the trial matches.Waqa has been playing in theNSW Cupfor Melbourne Storm feeder team Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, who have a joint venture with the Melbourne Storm.

In round 9 of the2011 NRL season,Waqa made hisMelbourne Stormdebut against theBroncoson the wing, scoring a try in the Storms' 29–22 win atSuncorp Stadium.After the Storms' match against theManly-Warringah Sea EaglesatBrookvale Oval,Waqa was suspended for one week over the incident betweenAdam BlairandGlenn Stewartafter he came from the bench to pull players off and to assist Blair in the 5-on-1 fight in the Storms' 18–4 loss.Waqa finished the2011 NRL seasonwith him playing in 10 matches and scoring 4 tries for the Storm.

2012

In round 4 against his former club theSydney Roosters,Waqa played his first match in the2012 NRL seasonin the Storms’ 44–4 victory over theSydney RoostersatAAMI Park.Since that game Waqa struggled to make it into the first grade side and was playing in the NSW Cup for theCronulla-Sutherland Sharks.Waqa returned to first grade in round 19 against theNorth Queensland Cowboysin the Storms' 20–16 loss at AAMI Park.Waqa retained his wing spot for the rest of the 2012 season after when regular Storm wingerMatt Duffiesuffered a shoulder injury.Waqa starred on the wing in the Melbourne Storms'2012 NRL Grand Finalvictory over theCanterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs,his outstanding defensive strategy, which assisted the Storm to a 14–4 point victory over the minor premiers.Waqa finished the 2012 NRL season with him played in 11 matches and scoring 7 tries for the Storm.

Waqa in 2013

2013

On 22 February 2013, Waqa played in the Storm'sWorld Club Challengematch against 2012Super LeaguepremiersLeeds Rhinos,Waqa played on the wing in the Storms' 18–14.After the WCC victory, Waqa injured his hand on a piece of glass in a hotel room incident missed first 8 weeks of the 2013 season.Waqa played in 22 matches and scored 12 tries for the Storm in the2013 NRL season.Waqa was named in theFijisquad for the2013 World Cup.Waqa played in 4 matches.

2014

In February 2014, Waqa was included in theStorms' inaugural2014 Auckland Ninessquad.On 21 July 2014, Waqa announced that he signed a 2-year deal with theCanberra Raiderscommencing in 2015.In Round 22 against theNewcastle Knights,Waqa scored 4 tries in the Storms' shock 32–30 loss after giving away a 30–20 lead with 3 minutes to go atHunter Stadium.Waqa scored a try in his last match for the Storm in Melbourne's 28–4 Finals Week 1 defeat by theCanterbury-Bankstown Bulldogsat AAMI Park.Waqa finished the2014 NRL seasonas the Storms' highest tryscorer with 18 in 24 matches.

2015

On 17 January 2015, Waqa was named in theRaiders2015 Auckland Ninessquad.In round 1 of the2015 NRL seasonagainst theCronulla-Sutherland Sharks,Waqa made his club debut for theCanberra Raiderson the wing, scoring a try in the Raiders 24–20 win atRemondis Stadium.In August 2015, there were rumours about Waqa was seeking a release from the Raiders to sign a three-year deal with aFrench rugby union clubbut later decided to stay out his 2-year commitment with the club.Waqa finished his first year with the Canberra Raiders with him playing 21 matches and scoring 6 tries in the season.

2016

On 30 January 2016, Waqa was named in the Raiders 2016 Auckland Nines squad.On 14 March, Waqa was confirmed to be released from his contract at the end of June to joinTop 14rugby union side,Grenoble.On 7 May 2016, Waqa played forFijiagainstPapua New Guineain the2016 Melanesian Cupwhere he played at centre in the 24–22 loss atParramatta Stadium.

2017

On 16 May 2017, Waqa was in talks to rejoin former club Melbourne but the move never eventuated. On 12 December 2017, Waqa made the headlines for the wrong reasons. He was reported to have borrowed money to pay off alleged gambling debts but never paid the money back to his victims. In one case, Waqa reportedly borrowed $12,000 off a student he had befriended. He also reportedly owed money to The Salvation Army, when a worker from The Salvation Army attended Waqa's rental property they found nobody at the residence and Waqa's car had all four of its wheels slashed and both tail lights knocked out.

Post-Playing Career

Waqa now resides inPilbaraworking on the railways in regionalWestern Australia.He has four children.

External links

• NRL profile
• 2013 RLWC profile^[usurped]