PLAYER PROFILE : Epeli Taione. BORN: 2/3/79 BIRTHPLACE: Tonga HEIGHT: 6’4" WEIGHT: 18st 4lb POSITION: Wing

Epeli Taione signed for the Falcons in time for the 2000/20001 season. His first game for Newcastle was at Kingston Park as a friendly against a Scottish side as part of two pre season friendly games. The young Tongan previously dubbed by the press as "another Lomu in the making" had the crowd in constant anticipation of him getting the ball. With speed and strength it was inevitable that Taione would receive a debut try and it was not long in the making.

Educated in England, Taione was chosen to play for England's U21's squad but was unable to take part due to problems with citizenship. It has been with his country of birth that Taione has made his international debut. His first match came in 1999 against Canada. The World Cup in the same year, saw him as Tonga's youngest player at the age of 20 and appeared as a replacement against England at Twickenham.