Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
David Ainu’u was part of a spectacular winning effort on Saturday. Toulouse defeated Munster in a rare penalty-shoot-out contest to book their place in the final four of the European Champions Cup. The teams were tied at 24-24 at full-time and also at the end of extra-time.
Ainu’u was a 50th minute replacement for Toulouse. This meant that he played 30 minutes of the second half and both ten minute periods of extra time.
The Olympia, Washington hometown boy is now targeting a second European Champions Cup title. He was involved in the 2021 title in which Toulouse defeated La Rochelle. Argentine Juan Cruz Mallía scored the match-winning try. He is presently suspended while fellow Puma Santiago Chocobares is recovering from injury.
Toulouse will return to Ireland and to Dublin for their Champions Cup Semi Final It will be against Leinster next weekend. Leinster defeated the Leicester Tigers in England to book home advantage. Leicester’s line-up included Pumas Julián Montoya and Matías Moroni.
Ainu’u started playing rugby at 13. He is the cousin of fellow USA front-rower Joe Taufete’e. Ainu’u played for the High School All-American XVs in 2015 and 2016 and then for USA u20’s in 2017 and 2018. He earned his test debut in November 2018 in a historic win over Samoa.
Ainu’u started for the USA in their opening match of RWC 2019 against England. He was injured in the match and forced out of the remainder of the tournament. He currently has 15 caps for the Eagles, the most recent was in Montevideo in October 2021. The USA’s loss means they will face Chile in July 2022 to determine who qualifies for RWC 2023 as Americas 2.
