Janeiro Wakeham
| Date of birth | 24 March 2003[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 140 kg (309 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Suva Grammar School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Janeiro Wakeham (born 24 March 2003) is a Fijian professional rugby union footballer who plays as a lock.
Early life
He is from Suva, Fiji.[3] He attended Suva Grammar School and played for Fiji at under-16 level in 2018.[4]
Career
Rugby union
He was part of the Fiji Rugby Union’s Elite Player Pathway program. He was the youngest player for the Fijian squad in 2020, and was also part of the Suva Under-20 team. He joined Top 14 club Stade Français in France in March 2021 on a four-year contract.[5][4] He played in the Oceania Rugby U20 Championship at the Gold Coast in Australia for Fiji U20 in 2022.[6]
He played on loan at Pro D2 club Stade Niçois during the 2023-24 season.[7] In July 2024, he signed for London-based RFU Championship side Ealing Trailfinders.[8]
NFL
In December 2024, it was announced that he would be entering the National Football League (NFL) by joining the International Player Pathway (IPP) program for the 2025 NFL season.[9] He became the first Fijian to participate in the IPP.[10]
Personal life
He is 6 foot and 9 inches tall and weighs 320 pounds with 36-inch arms. He speaks Fijian and English.[11]
References
- ^ "Janeiro Wakeham". Its Rugby. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
- ^ "Jeneiro Wakeham". All.Rugby. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
- ^ "Wakeham Pleased To Share Experience". Fiji Sun. 16 June 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
- ^ a b Jones, Chris (31 Oct 2021). "Stade Francais land gigantic Fijian teenager". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
- ^ "Stade Français signs Fijian second-row Janeiro Wakeham". Lequipe. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
- ^ Marayawa, Filipe (June 28, 2022). "French experience will be Wakeham's weapon". Fiji Times. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
- ^ "JENEIRO WAKEHAM ARRIVES IN NICE ON LOAN!". Stadenicous.fr. March 20, 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
- ^ Raqio, Mosese (10 December 2024). "Janeiro Wakeham and Laitia Moceidreke, selected for NFL's IPP Program for 2025". Fiji Village. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
- ^ Morgan, Charlie (9 December 2024). "Eight more rugby players and reigning Olympic champion in latest NFL recruitment wave". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
- ^ Stark, Mataiasi (19 Dec 2024). "Wakeham aims to inspire young Fijians through NFL Pathway". FBC News. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
- ^ Pioli, Scott (Mar 17, 2025). "Four NFL prospects to watch at 2025 International Player Pathway program pro day". NFL.com. Retrieved 17 March 2025.