Olsen Filipaina Biography – Olsen Filipaina Wiki
Olsen Filipaina born Olsen Orekewa Filipaina was a professional rugby league footballer who represented both New Zealand and Western Samoa. He began his career with the Mangere East Hawks in the Auckland Rugby League competition. He was named the best back in the competition in 1977 before winning the Rothville Trophy as the player of the year in 1978. In 1979 he was both the top try-scorer and the top goal-kicker in the competition.
Filipaina moved to Sydney in 1980, joining the Balmain Tigers. He spent five seasons at the club, playing in 77 games and amassing 225 points. After a one-year spell at the Eastern Suburbs Roosters in 1985 Filipaina played for two years with the North Sydney Bears. During his time in the NSWRL Premiership Filipaina claimed he suffered from racial abuse and sledging. In 1990, he captained Ryde-Eastwood to victory in the inaugural Metropolitan Cup final.
An Auckland representative, he was part of the Auckland side that defeated Great Britain, Australia, and France in the space of 20 days in 1977. Filipaina was first picked for the New Zealand national rugby league team in 1977. In 1983 and again in 1985 he was picked for the Kiwis despite playing in the Sydney reserve grade competition, both times inspiring the side to defeats of Australia. He was named the man of the series in 1985.
In total, Filipaina played in 50 matches for the Kiwis, including 28 tests where he scored 108 points. As of 2010, his 108 points places him sixth on the point scoring list. In 1988 he captained Western Samoa in the Pacific Cup. He remained in Sydney after his retirement, living in Ryde. He worked the same garbage run the Balmain Tigers helped him get when he first moved to Australia. From this job, he received the nickname “The Galloping Garbo” during his playing days. In 2007 he was named one of New Zealand Rugby League’s “Legends of League”.
Olsen Filipaina Age
He was born on April 23, 1957, in Kaikohe, New Zealand, and died on February 10, 2022, in Westmead, New South Wales, Australia. He passed away at the age of 64.
Olsen Filipaina Family
He has five children: Louise, John, Alysha, Quin, and Jazmine, and four grandchildren: Tamati, Matahi, Ignatius, and Kaimana. Two of his brothers, Jerry and Alf, are involved in politics in Auckland. His son, Quin, played in the Harold Matthews Cup side for the Tigers. Another son, John, was arrested in 2006 and charged with robbery.
Olsen Filipaina Parents
He was the son of a Samoan boxer and a Maori mother. He was born in Kaikohe, New Zealand.
Olsen Filipaina Death
In mid-January 2022, the late Filipina was admitted to Westmead Hospital with a stomach infection. He had been battling kidney failure and lupus. His condition slowly deteriorated and he died of kidney failure on February 10, 2022, at the age of 64.
“He was a fighter and fought for 16 days in ICU but our heavenly father needed a stand-off for his rugby league team, and now he has the best. A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered and we will announce more details on celebrating his life in the coming days.” His family said in a statement according to ABC News Australia.
Olsen Filipaina Cause of Death
He died of kidney failure on February 10, 2022, at the age of 64.
