A former Tongan international who played rugby with Scott Styris at Hamilton Boys’ High School has announced his retirement – aged 45.
Ma’ama Molitika played 18 times for Tonga and represented them at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, while he played seven seasons with the Cardiff Blues in Wales.
The loose forward hung up his boots last week after seven seasons with Bedfordshire club Ampthill in England, helping them climb uo the grades to the second-tier Championship.
“Congrats @maamamolitika, a privilege to share the rugby field with you way back in ‘The Factory’ days at Hamilton Boys,” former Black Caps allrounder Styris wrote on Twitter.
Molitika played club rugby in Hamilton for Fraser-Tech and represented Waikato B in 1996, when he was also included in the Tongan squad.
He joined Welsh club Bridgend in 1999 and later made 112 appearances with Cardiff, winning the Anglo-Welsh Cup in 2006-07 and the European Challenge Cup in 2009-10.
“My professional career has spanned over 21 years and I am lucky to have experienced all the things I have, from playing for my country and being selected for the Barbarians through to each and every club,” Molitiak said in announcing his retirement.
