Christian Lealiifano
Flyhalf
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Profile
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Height:
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179cm
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Weight:
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95kg
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Date Of Birth:
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24/09/1987
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Place of Birth:
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Rugby Career
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Senior Club:
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Tuggeranong, ACT
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Stats
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Super Rugby Caps:
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61
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Super Rugby Points:
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263 (7t, 33c, 54p)
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Super Rugby Debut:
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2008 v Crusaders, Christchurch
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Christian Lealiifano is one of the most talented playmakers the Brumbies have ever produced.
His leadership through the early rounds of 2012 proved invaluable for the most inexperienced Brumbies backline in more than a decade. Following a season ending injury to Matt Toomua against the Sharks, Lealiifano blossomed in the No 10 jersey creating opportunities for outside backs like Henry Speight, Joe Tomane, Jesse Mogg and Andrew Smith to shine.
Of the last four Super Rugby seasons, Lealiifano has suffered year-ending injuries three times, with the latest a nasty break against the Waratahs 10 games into the 2012 season. It was a cruel break for Lealiifano, who had almost certainly played his way into a Wallabies jersey for the June Tests against Scotland and Wales.
Rarely has one player’s influence been felt so heavily as the first 10 weeks of Lealiifano’s 2012 Super Rugby season. Of the 10 games Lealiifano played in, he was named Man of the Match by Super Rugby officials on eight occasions.
His personals tally of 17 Super Rugby Players Player points held him in first spot until the last game of the season when Reds scrumhalf Will Genia claimed three, edging the Brumbies playmaker by just one point.
Originally from Melbourne, Lealiifano has also spread his rugby talents across the Tasman where he represented Waikato in the ITM Cup in 2010. Along with fellow Brumby Henry Speight, Waikato reached the grand final where they were eventually beaten by Canterbury.