Remembering Inga Tuigamala

Club Historian Keith Sutch pays tribute to the late Va’aiga (Inga) Tuigamala.

It is with great sadness that Wigan Warriors learned of the passing of former player Va’aiga Lealuga Tuigamala, more commonly known to the rugby world as Inga (the winger) gaining a reputation as a powerful runner, much larger than most wings in either rugby code.

Inga Tuigamala was born on 4^th September 1969 in Faleasiu, Samoa, and sadly passed away on 24^th February 2022 at the young age of 52 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Tuigamala represented New Zealand in Rugby Union, winning 19 caps, and later Samoa in both Rugby League (two caps) and Rugby Union (23 caps), playing in three World Cups, one in Rugby League and two Rugby Union.

Having played Rugby Union in New Zealand for Auckland, Tuigamala converted to Rugby League, signing for Wigan in 1993.

Having made the transition Union to League, Tuigamala found the fitness levels required at Wigan far greater than he imagined and it took several months to attain his match fitness which prolonged his first team debut.

Tuigamala made a try-scoring Wigan debut on 4^th February 1993 at Naughton Park, Widnes in a comfortable 27 point to 12 win, which earned him the unique Heritage Number of 888.

He enjoyed five seasons with the Cherry and Whites, scoring 62 tries and three goals for a total of 254 points in 102 appearances.

Throughout the 1990s, Wigan experienced perhaps their most successful period and Tuigamala became an integral part of the Club’s success, winning three Championships, two Challenge Cups, two Regal Trophies, one Premiership Trophy, one Charity Shield and one World Club Challenge – when he was a substitute for perhaps Wigan’s most recognised win in their illustrious history: the 1994 defeat of Brisbane Broncos in Brisbane. He was also included in the 1996 Super League Dream Team.

Although Tuigamala was an inspiration on the rugby field, he was also an inspiration to his teammates and colleagues at Wigan – none more so than another dual-code rugby international Jason Robinson, who in his book “Finding My Feet”, pays tribute to the way Inga helped to change his life.

After his five years at the Club, Tuigamala played his final game in a Cherry and White shirt on 8^th February 1997 – a Challenge Cup defeat at Knowsley Road to St Helens. A few days later, Tuigamala returned to his Rugby Union roots, joining Newcastle Falcons for a transfer fee of £1 million.

Following his retirement from rugby, Tuigamala became a funeral director, and ran a funeral company – Tuigamala & Sons – in West Auckland and was involved in organising the funeral of the late King of Tonga, Taufa’ahau Tupou IV.

Va’aiga Tuigamala was one of the most exciting rugby players to play either code and his presence on the rugby field was huge and to quote Wigan Executive Director, Kris Radlinski, “Every now and then a player comes along who touches the heart and soul of every single fan, player, coach and administrator – Inga was one of them”.

Wigan Warriors send their deepest condolences to Inga’s family and friends at this terrible time.