Benetton Rugby-Toa Halafihi: the marriage continues
Official: Toa Halafihi renews with Benetton Rugby
Another important renewal for Benetton Rugby. After Bautista Bernasconi and Marco Zanon, the green-and-white franchise announced the contract extension of Toa Halafihi until June 30, 2025, with an option to renew for one more season.
"Benetton Rugby è is pleased to announce the contract renewal of Toa Halafihi until June 30, 2025, with an option to extend the agreement until June 30, 2026. The third line è is now a veteran of the green-and-white lineup and will continue to defend the Treviso colors for at least one more season. Halafihi è a complete player on all game fundamentals, as well as a tireless ball carrier.
Toa Halafihi è was born in Gisborne, northeastern part of New Zealand, on Nov. 27, 1993. At 191 cm tall and 107 kg, he began playing rugby for Gisborne Boys, a middle and high school in his hometown. After graduating from high school, the number 8 played one season in the New Zealand Mitre 10 league in a Poverty Bay jersey in 2012, then moved to Taranaki to play with Spotswood United. Toa’s physical prowess and excellent technical qualities make him a powerful ball carrier, able to break tackles while maintaining possession in difficult situations, qualities that in the 2014-15 season allowed him to return to play in the Mitre 10 Cup with Taranaki itself, a club with which he collected 38 appearances and 12 tries and of which he è was elected player of the year in 2017.
That same year, Toa ranked first in terms of meters gained, in the third-line department of the entire competition. Consistent performances at the national level over the years also drew the attention of the Hurricanes to him, with whom he made his Super Rugby debut, and in the second part of the 2017/2018 season he switched to Lyon. With the French he played 12 matches between the Top 14 and the European Challenge Cup and in December 2018 Halafihi landed in Treviso. During his adventure in the green-and-white è he became a very important element of Benetton Rugby. For him also the debut and several appearances with the Italian senior national team, after obtaining Italian eligibility.
At the Lions for nearly six years, Toa è an element of guaranteed consistency. A No. 8 who can also joust as a flanker. He's been a standout performer in the version of the Lions that went to the PRO 14 playoffs in 2019 and in Benetton that won the Rainbow Cup in 2021. In the current season, Halafihi is churning out flawless performances after spending several months in the pits in the 2022/2023 season due to a muscle injury. He's up to 74 appearances with the Treviso franchise, topped by 10 goals. With Italy he accumulated 13 caps and one try, with the satisfaction of having played an appearance in the World Cup played in France in 2023" this is the note from the green-and-white club.
"Treviso has a special place in my and my family’s heart. What it will create; Benetton Rugby in the coming years will be just as special and è something I want to be a part of. I am happy to stay here and to be able to leave my mark on this club" these are the words of Toa Halafihi.
