Faifili Levave
- Position
- Blindside Flanker
- Hurricane
- 152
- Height
- 193
- Weight
- 111
- Date of birth
- 15/01/1986
- Birthplace
- Porirua
- Province
- Wellington
- Nickname
- Lil Wax
- Career
- 2009, 2011 - present
- Points
- 20 (4 tries)
Bio
Powerful flanker Faifili Levave returned home to Wellington in 2009 to the Hurricanes and the Vodafone Wellington Lions after a year living and playing rugby in Hamilton for the Chiefs and Waikato. Levave is a big strong ball running loose forward and uncompromising defender, attributes which make him a danger for any opposition.
At the time compared to a young Jerry Collins, Levave made his Wellington debut aged 19 in 2005 and joined the Hurricanes Wider Training Squad in 2006. But a pectoral injury sidelined him for much of that year and he had to bide his time in recovery. He returned to play in all 14 of the Wellington Lions’ first class matches in 2007, including five starts at blindside flanker. Earlier in the season he played at blindside flanker for the New Zealand U21s in their one-off international against Canada at Rotorua. It was this form that caught the eye of the Chiefs and Mooloo selectors in 2008.
Levave scored a try on Super 14 debut in 2009 against the Waratahs.
One of five brothers, Faifili’s older brother George earned an American Football Scholarship with Idaho State University. He was also studying for a BA in Geography in Education at Victoria University.
Levave was a Hurricanes Wider Training Group member in 2010 after missing most of the 2009 Air New Zealand Cup through injury, and was back in top form for his champion Northern United club side in Wellington in 2010 and was selected in the Vodafone Wellington Lions’ ITM Cup. He was in great form for the Lions in 2010, starting seven times at No. 8 and three at blindside flanker, and was selected for the full Hurricanes squad for the 2011 Super 15 season.
He made 14 appearances for the Hurricanes in 2011, missing just one match, and starting at blindside flanker in seven consecutive matches over the second half of the season. He also appeared in every ITM Cup in 2011 for the Lions.
Stats
- Provincial Teams
- Wellington
- Provincial Points
- 30 (6 tries)
- Provincial Caps
- 51
- Provincial Debut
- 2005 v Otago
- Super Rugby Caps
- 35 (Hurricanes - 23)
- Super Rugby Points
- 25 (5 tries)
- Super Rugby Debut
- 2008 v Waratahs (Chiefs)
Favourite things
- Song:
- Chris Rene - Young Homie
- Band or Singer:
- Michael Jackson
- Book or Magazine:
- Michael Jordan's Autobiography
- Holiday Destination:
- Greece
- Food:
- Mums cooking
- Sport Team or Individual:
- Arizona Cardinals
- Pets
- Biggest Rotti in Wellington - Maximus
- Wish
- Back up dancer for Beyonce
- Chores as a Kid
- Doing the dishes
- Funniest Moment as a Kid
- Playing wrestling in the lounge and ended up with my hand through the window
- Hobbies
- Beach, gardening, housework and reading
Education
- School
- St Patricks College, Wellington
- Favourite subject:
- Geography & Physical Education
- Worst subject:
- Economics
- University
- Victoria University
- University Course
- Bachelor of Arts - Education
Rugby facts
- Earliest Rugby Memory
- Bulldogs Rugby at Porirua Park
- Position When Younger
- Lock
- Most Admired Rugby Player
- Mils Muliaina & Sione Lauaki
- Biggest Rugby Influence
- My Family
- Most Memorable Rugby Moment
- Naming of NZ Secondary Schools (2003)
- Worst Rugby Room Mate
- Cory Jane
