Jordan Rapana

Jordan Rapana (born 15 August 1989) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a winger for the Canberra Raiders in the National Rugby League (NRL). He has played for the New Zealand Māori, New Zealand and the Cook Islands at international level.

Jordan Rapana

Personal information
Born	(1989-08-15) 15 August 1989 (age 34) Wellington, New Zealand
Height	187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	102 kg (16 st 1 lb)
Playing information
Rugby league
Position	Wing, Fullback
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2008 Gold Coast Titans 5 5 0 0 20 2014–19 Canberra Raiders 113 69 0 0 276 2020– Canberra Raiders 88 33 16 0 164 Total 206 107 16 0 460 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2008 New Zealand Māori 1 0 0 0 0 2013–15 Cook Islands 3 0 2 0 4 2016–22 New Zealand 16 11 19 0 82 2023 Māori All Stars 1 0 0 0 0
Rugby union
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2012 Western Force 0 0 2019–20 Wild Knights 0 0 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 0 0
Source: ^[1]^[2] As of 7 April 2024

He previously played for the Gold Coast Titans NRL club and the Western Force Super Rugby team.

Background

Rapana was born in Wellington, New Zealand, and is of Māori, Cook Island and Italian descent.^[3] From the Ngāti Toa iwi (Māori tribe), he moved to the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia as a 10-year-old.

He played his junior football for the Tugun Seahawks and attended Palm Beach Currumbin High School before being signed by the Gold Coast Titans.

Playing career

2008

In 2008, Rapana played for the Gold Coast Titans' NYC team.^[4] In Round 18 of the 2008 NRL season, he made his NRL debut for the Gold Coast Titans against the Sydney Roosters.^[5] At the end of 2008, he was named on the interchange bench in the 2008 NYC Team of the Year.

 

Rapana playing for the New Zealand Māori in 2008

He also played for the New Zealand Māori rugby league team.

2009

In 2009, Rapana left the NRL to serve a two-year Mormon mission in England and Wales. During his time in England he played for Supermarine RFC.^[6]

2011

In June, Rapana signed a contract with Super Rugby team, Western Force, starting in 2012.^[7][8] For the 2012 season, he played for the Palmyra Rugby Union Club.

2013

In 2013, Rapana moved to Canberra to play for the Queanbeyan Blues in the TTM Canberra Raiders Cup and also to train with the Brumbies in the hope of gaining a contract.^[9][10] On 24 June, he signed a two-year contract with the Canberra Raiders effective immediately.^[10]

 

Rapana playing for the Mount Pritchard Mounties in 2013

At the end of 2013, he played for the Cook Islands in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

2014

On 7 August, Rapana re-signed with the Raiders on a one-year contract.^[11] In Round 22, he made his debut for them against the Parramatta Eels,^[12] his first NRL game since 2008.

2015

On 8 May, Rapana re-signed with Canberra on a two-year contract.^[13] On 17 October, he played for the Cook Islands in their Asia-Pacific Qualifier match against Tonga for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

2016

In Round 8 against the Wests Tigers, Rapana scored four tries in Canberra's 60–6 win.^[14] He finished the 2016 season with 23 tries, equal most with Suliasi Vunivalu,^[15] and breaking the Canberra club record^[16] During the season, Rapana and his centre partner Joseph Leilua became one of the most destructive duos of the year, scoring some fantastic tries and their strong friendship outside the footy field labelling them as "Leipana".^[17][18] On 4 October, he was rewarded for his big year with Canberra by being selected in the New Zealand Kiwis 24-man squad for the 2016 Four Nations.^[19] On 15 October 2016, he made his international debut for the Kiwis against Australia, playing on the wing in the 26–6 loss at Perth Oval.^[20] In his next match against England, Rapana scored two tries in the 17–16 win at Kirklees Stadium in Huddersfield.^[21]

 

Rapana warming up for the Kiwis in 2016

Rapana played in four matches and scored three tries in the tournament including in the final match against Australia, playing on the wing in the 34–8 loss at Anfield.^[22]

Rapana was named the Kiwis rookie of the year by the New Zealand Rugby League.^[23]

2017

After Canberra's round 1 match against the North Queensland Cowboys, Rapana received a warning from the NRL after he put up both of his middle fingers, gesturing at the officials after teammate Elliot Whitehead was denied a try in Golden Point Extra Time; the Raiders lost 20-16 shortly afterwards at 1300SMILES Stadium.^[24]

On 10 March, he signed a two-year extension with Canberra, keeping him in the nation's capital until 2019.^[25][26]

In Round 8 against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Rapana scored one of the season's best tries by leaping high and somehow getting a hand to a Blake Austin grubber that looked destined to go too deep in the corner during Canberra's 20-18 golden point extra time loss at Canberra Stadium.^[27]

On 5 May, Rapana played on the wing for New Zealand in the ANZAC Test, a 30–12 loss.^[28] Rapana finished the season as the club's highest try-scorer with 21 tries in 23 matches. On 5 October, he was named in the New Zealand Kiwis 24-man squad for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.^[29] Rapana played in 3 matches and scored 2 tries in the Kiwis shock disappointing campaign.

2018

Rapana played in 21 matches and scored 10 tries for the Raiders in 2018. On 1 October, he was selected in the Kiwis' 23-man squad for their tour of England and the test match against Australia.^[30]

In the second match in the Baskerville Shield against England, Rapana suffered a dislocated shoulder during the 20–14 loss at Anfield.^[31] The injury was expected to sideline him for at least six months. The Raiders sought a salary cap exemption of up to $350,000, possible where a player suffers a long-term injury while on rep duty.^[32]

2019

Rapana made a return for Canberra two months earlier than expected, slotting back into his wing spot in round 2 against the Melbourne Storm.^[33][34] In Round 4 against the North Queensland Cowboys, he played his 100th NRL career match and scored two tries in the 30–12 win at 1300SMILES Stadium.^[35]

Rapana made 21 appearances for Canberra as the club reached their first grand final in 25 years, playing on the wing as Canberra were defeated 14-8 by the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium.^[36][37][38]

In October 2019, Rapana announced that he had signed a one-year deal to join Japanese rugby union team the Panasonic Wild Knights. On 30 October, the NRL announced that Rapana would not be allowed to return to Canberra during the 2020 season. However, that decision was overturned when he returned to the Raiders in May 2020 following the suspension of the Japanese rugby season due to COVID-19.^[39][40]

2020

Rapana played 19 games for Canberra in the 2020 NRL season and scored only two tries. He played in all three of Canberra's finals matches including the preliminary final loss to Melbourne.^[41]

2021

In round 1 of the 2021 NRL season, he scored two tries in a 30-12 victory over Wests Tigers.^[42] He also scored two tries in round 7 against North Queensland.^[43] In round 8 against South Sydney, he scored two tries and kicked two goals in a 34-20 loss.^[44]

Rapana played 22 games for Canberra in 2021 and scored 12 tries in total. Canberra would finish the season in 10th place and missed out on the finals.^[45][46]

On 27 September, Rapana was arrested by Queensland Police after failing a roadside breath test, recording a blood alcohol limit of 0.098. He was handed a $500 fine and suspended from driving for three months at Maroochydore Magistrates Court.^[47]

2022

 

Rapana warming up for New Zealand in 2022

In round 18 of the 2022 NRL season, Rapana was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous high tackle during Canberra's 20-16 upset victory over Melbourne.^[48]

Rapana played a total of 21 games for Canberra in 2022 as the club finished 8th on the table and qualified for the finals. Rapana played in both finals matches as Canberra were eliminated in the second week by Parramatta.^[49]

In October Rapana was named in the New Zealand squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.^[50]

2023

In round 1, Rapana was placed on report for a shoulder charge on North Queensland's Scott Drinkwater. He was later suspended for three games over the incident.^[51] In round 6, Rapana scored two tries for Canberra in an upset 20-14 victory over Brisbane. In the second half of the match, Rapana was taken from the field after his head collided with Martin Taupau's knee which caused Rapana to bleed heavily.^[52] In round 10, Rapana scored two tries for Canberra in a 34-30 victory over Canterbury.^[53] Rapana played a total of 21 matches for Canberra in the 2023 NRL season and scored eleven tries as the club finished 8th on the table and qualified for the finals.^[54]

Statistics

Year	Team	Games	Tries	Goals	Pts
2008	Gold Coast Titans	5	5		20
2014	Canberra Raiders	2	1		4
2015		19	7		28
2016		27	23		92
2017		23	21		84
2018		21	10		40
2019		21	7		28
2020		19	2		8
2021		22	12	9	66
2022		21	6	7	38
2023*		19	10		40
	Totals	199	104	16	448

*denotes season still competing

References

1. "Jordan Rapana". Rugby League Project.
2. EXCLUSIVE: How 'star-studded' Wallabies put gun Raider Jordan Rapana on the road to NRL's bright lights
3. Helmers, Caden (23 October 2017). "Rugby League World Cup: New Zealand jersey means the world to Jordan Rapana". Canberra Times. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
4. [1] 16 September 2013 at the Wayback Machine
5. "NRL 2008 - Round 18". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
6. Walshaw, Nick (15 September 2016). "Raiders' Jordan Rapana on his faith and return to NRL football". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
7. "Force sign cross-code youngster | Live Rugby News". Espnscrum.com. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
8. Chadwick, Justin. "Force recruit NRL's Will Tupou". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
9. Wilson, Chris (5 August 2014). "Anthony Milford to halves as Canberra Raiders make massive changes". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
10. "Jordan Rapana signs with the Raiders | NRL". Zerotackle.com. 24 June 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
11. "Jordan Rapana Re-Signs with the Raiders for 2015". Raiders.com.au. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
12. "Late Mail NRL: Raiders v Eels". Raiders.com.au. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
13. "Rapana Re-Signs". Raiders.com.au. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
14. Tuxworth, Jon. "NRL: Jordan Rapana runs rampant as Canberra Raiders thrash awful Tigers". Smh.com.au. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
15. "NRL Stats - National Rugby League". www.nrl.com.
16. "Rugby League Tables / Canberra Point Scorers". afltables.com.
17. "The 'Leipana' bromance between Jordan Rapana and Joey Leilua driving the Canberra Raiders' finals charge". Sydney Morning Herald. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
18. Walshaw, Nick (15 September 2016). "Raiders jokers keep doing serious damage". dailytelegraph.
19. "Four Nations: New Zealand Kiwis David Kidwell names rookies Jordan Rapana, Joseph Tapine". 3 October 2016.
20. Connolly, Paul (15 October 2016). "Australia too good for rusty Kiwis in Perth league Test – as it happened" – via www.theguardian.com.
21. Walsh, Dan (29 October 2016). "Magic Johnson's new trick seals NZ thriller". Herald Sun.
22. Mascord, Steve (20 November 2016). "Four Nations final: Australia hammer New Zealand 34-8". The Sydney Morning Herald.
23. "Jesse Bromwich retains Kiwis Player of Year honours". 20 January 2017 – via www.nzherald.co.nz.
24. Chammas, Michael (5 March 2017). "Canberra Raiders' Jordan Rapana issued warning notice for flipping the bird to referees". The Sydney Morning Herald.
25. Polkinghorne, David. "Jordan Rapana re-signs with Canberra Raiders until end of 2019 NRL Season". canberratimes.com.au. Retrieved 10 March 2017.
26. stuff.co.nz. "Kiwis winger Jordan Rapana re-signs with Canberra Raiders until end of 2019". stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
27. Polkinghorne, David (4 June 2017). "NRL: Canberra Raiders winger Jordan Rapana shows he's world's best against Manly Sea Eagles". The Sydney Morning Herald.
28. Connolly, Paul (5 May 2017). "Australia beat New Zealand in the rugby league Anzac Test – as it happened" – via www.theguardian.com.
29. "Kiwis World Cup squad named". National Rugby League. 5 October 2017.
30. "Five debutants join returning stars in Kiwis squad". National Rugby League. 1 October 2018.
31. "Makinson hat-trick seals England series win over Kiwis". National Rugby League. 4 November 2018.
32. "Canberra flyer Jordan Rapana out for six months with shoulder injury". NewsComAu. 12 November 2018.
33. Polkinghorne, David (23 March 2019). "Jordan Rapana confident Raiders' Leipana have blown out the rust". The Sydney Morning Herald.
34. "NRL 2019: Jordan Rapana, Canberra Raiders; Winger's miracle recovery". 20 March 2019.
35. Polkinghorne, David (6 April 2019). "Rapana brings up the century in style as Raiders hold off Cowboys". The Sydney Morning Herald.
36. "NRL grand final player ratings: Roosters and Raiders hits and misses". SMH.
37. "Sydney Roosters beat Canberra Raiders to win NRL Grand Final". BBC.
38. "How Ricky Stuart reacted to grand final 'six-again' refereeing shocker". WWOS.
39. "Where is the harm in allowing Jordan Rapana to return to the NRL for Canberra Raiders in 2020?". Sporting News.
40. "Hodgson questions nrl block on rapana's return after rugby stint". SMH. 30 October 2019.
41. "Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart storms out of press conference after one question". wwos.nine.com.au.
42. "Cronulla Sharks win scrappy clash with Dragons; Canberra Raiders beat Wests Tigers with dominant second half". ABC News. 14 March 2021.
43. "Cowboys beat Raiders 26-24 for third straight NRL win, Bulldogs defeat Sharks 18-12 for maiden victory". ABC News. 24 April 2021.
44. "South Sydney Rabbitohs claim seventh straight NRL win with 34-20 triumph over Canberra Raiders". ABC News. 29 April 2021.
45. "Roosters' 'Mr Fix It' stuns with hat-trick, Sloppy Raiders' final fade out ends season: 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au. 2 September 2021.
46. "Tough conversations coming for senior Canberra stars as interest grows in Parramatta young gun Dylan Brown". www.theaustralian.com.au.
47. "Raiders star expecting 'huge' sanction from NRL after pleading guilty to drink driving". www.foxsports.com.au.
48. "Papenhuyzen's season looks over as Raiders keep theirs alive thanks to rookie - 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au.
49. "Eels send ruthless title message, bury finals 'ghosts' in Raiders no-show: 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au.
50. Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021
51. "Judiciary: Jordan Rapana". www.raiders.com.au.
52. "Brisbane Broncos' unbeaten NRL run ends in 20-14 loss to Canberra as Penrith thrashes Manly 44-12". www.abc.net.au.
53. "Magic Round begins with Brisbane Broncos beating Manly 32-6, Canberra Raiders downing Canterbury Bulldogs 34-30". www.abc.net.au.
54. "Ricky turned losing a club legend into a winning season. Now for his biggest challenge - Brutal Review". www.foxsports.com.au.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jordan Rapana.

• NRL profile
• Rapana, Walker answer Titans' SOS call
• Rapana to answer Titans' prayers
• Rapana becomes youngest Titan
• Titans flyer leaves on a mission
• 2017 RLWC profile