Whether it be for family reasons or an odd publicity stunts - a number of high profile rugby players who changed their names down the years.
Rugby Players Who Changed Their Names:
1. Nemani Nadolo... was Namani Nasiganiyavi
His father, Isei Nasiganiyavi, played rugby for Queensland in the 1980s. However, he changed his name to Nemani Nadolo later as an adult, adopting his mother's maiden name in 2009 instead of the surname of his father who had left the family home when he was young.
DID YOU KNOW? He is the cousin of Wallabies legend
Tevita Kuridrani 2. Owen Farrell... was Owen O'Loughlin
Owen's father Andy Farrell has been married to his wife Colleen O'Loughlin since 1995.The pair met as teenagers and had their first child Owen when Colleen was 16 years old.
However, Owen was not at first registered as a Farrell, but took Colleen’s family name of O’Loughlin.Owen has gone on to have a highly successful rugby career winning multiple Premiership and Champions Cup titles with Saracens as well as three Six Nations championships with England.
3. Epeli Taione... was Paddy Power
Taione controversially changed his name to
Paddy Power for the duration of the 2007 Rugby World Cup in a sponsorship deal agreed with the Irish bookmaker.
the sponsorship deal financed the Tongan preparation for the World Cup. The Tongans nearly beat the eventual winner, South Africa, and lost narrowly to the other finalist, England.
DID YOU KNOW? He is involved in a few business ventures around the world including clubs and bars in London.
4. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto ... was Lukhan Tui
He changed his name to Lukhan Salakaia-Loto later as an adult in 2018 following the death of the stepfather who had raised him,
hyphenating Salakaia as the surname of his late stepfather, mother and siblings with Loto from part of his birth father's last name.
DID YOU KNOW? The lock has won 16 Wallabies caps since making his debut in 2017
5. Lawrence Dallaglio... was Lorenzo Dallaglio
Lorenzo Bruno Nero Dallaglio OBE, now known as Lawrence Dallaglio, is an English retired
rugby union player, former captain of
England, and 2016 inductee of the World Rugby Hall of Fame.
DID YOU KNOW? He could have played for Italy, or Ireland
EDITORS PICKS: