Aldora Itunu

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Aldora Itunu
Date of birth (1991-06-28) 28 June 1991 (age 32)
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight110 kg (243 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–Present Auckland Storm 50 (70)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021–2022 Blues Women 3 (0)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015–2021  New Zealand 24 (30)
Medal record
Women's rugby union
Representing  New Zealand
Women's Rugby World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2017 Ireland Team competition

Aldora Itunu (born 28 June 1991) is a rugby union player from New Zealand.[1] She was part of the Black Ferns team that won the 2017 Rugby World Cup in Ireland. She plays for the Blues Women in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition, and has made 50 appearances for the Auckland Storm in the Farah Palmer Cup.

Early life[edit]

Itunu attended Rangeview Intermediate and Kelston Girls' College.[2]

Rugby career[edit]

Itunu made her debut for the Black Ferns in 2015 and was selected for the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup squad.[3][4] In the highest level of New Zealand domestic women's rugby competition, Itunu plays for the Auckland Storm as does her sister Linda Itunu.[2] She spent a season playing in England and has also played in Italy.[2]

In 2018, she was injured in the test against the Wallaroos at Eden Park, but was later cleared of any serious injury.[5][6]

Itunu played for the Blues against the Chiefs in the first-ever women's Super Rugby match in New Zealand on 1 May 2021.[7][8] On 3 November 2021, she was named in the Blues squad for the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki competition.[9][10]

Itunu was named in the Blues starting line up for their first game against Matatū, they won 21–10.[11][12] She also started in their 0–35 thrashing by the Chiefs Manawa in the final round.[13][14]

2023[edit]

Itunu made her 50th appearance for the Auckland Storm in the 2023 season of the Farah Palmer Cup.[15] She took the 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki season off to become a mother, and will be returning to the Blues for the 2024 competition.[16][17]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Aldora Itunu". allblacks.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Burnes, Campbell (23 June 2015). "Rugby: Meet the Black Ferns hard-nosed sisters". NZ Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Archived from the original on 29 August 2017. Retrieved 16 October 2017.
  3. ^ "Black Ferns World Cup squad named". Radio New Zealand. 5 July 2017. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  4. ^ "Black Ferns squad for 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup named". All Blacks. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  5. ^ "Black Ferns prop cleared of serious injury during victory". NZ Herald. 27 August 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  6. ^ Newman, Beth (23 August 2018). "Black Ferns sweating on prop injury ahead of Auckland Test". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  7. ^ "nib BLUES WOMEN'S TEAM EXCITED FOR HISTORIC CLASH". Blues Rugby. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  8. ^ "Women's Super Rugby Preview: Blues v Chiefs (2021)". allblacks.com. 30 April 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  9. ^ "nib Blues Super Rugby Aupiki 2022 Squad". Blues Rugby. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  10. ^ "Exciting nib Blues Super Rugby Aupiki Squad Announced". Blues Rugby. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  11. ^ "Long wait over as nib Blues set for Sky Super Rugby Aupiki debut". superrugby.co.nz. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  12. ^ Burnes, Campbell (15 March 2022). "Blues full of merit in downing Matatū". superrugby.co.nz. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  13. ^ "Experienced pair return for key clash for nib Blues". superrugby.co.nz. 18 March 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  14. ^ Burnes, Campbell (20 March 2022). "Chiefs Manawa crowned Sky Super Rugby Aupiki champs". superrugby.co.nz. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  15. ^ "Milestones and debuts for Auckland Storm in first hit out of the FPC season". www.aucklandrugby.co.nz. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  16. ^ "YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE JOIN nib BLUES RANKS". Blues Rugby. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  17. ^ "Super Rugby Aupiki: Squads announced for the extended 2024 competition". Stuff. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2023.

External links[edit]