Rima Wakarua

Rima Shane Wakarua-Noema is a former professional rugby union footballer and coach. He played as a fly-half for North Harbour in New Zealand before moving to Italy in 1999, where he played for Leonessa, Gran Parma, I Cavalieri and Unione Rugby Prato Sesto. During his time there, he became a naturalised citizen and was called up to the Italy national team for the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Biography

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, to a New Zealand father and a Scottish mother, Wakarua is a naturalised Italian, having moved there in 1999. He was brought into the Italy squad for the 2003 Rugby World Cup having only played in the second tier of the Italian league and had not even been involved in squad get-togethers. His performance with the boot saw Italy overcome Canada in Canberra. He has 11 caps and has scored 99 points for Italy.