Afato So'oalo

Afato So'oalo (born 5 January 1974, in Apia) is a former Samoan rugby union player. He played for the Manu Samoa team and also played for the Crusaders and for Aviron Bayonnais in France. He played as a winger.

Afato So'oalo

Date of birth	(1974-01-05) 5 January 1974
Place of birth	Apia, Samoa
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight	193 lb (88 kg)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 1994-1997 1997 Marist St. Joseph Linwood () Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1997–2001 Canterbury 27 (100) Super Rugby Years Team Apps (Points) 1997–2001 Canterbury Crusaders 26 (85) International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1996–2001 Samoa 20 (75)

Career

A devastating runner, So'oalo debuted for Samoa during a match against Ireland, at Lansdowne Road, on 12 November 1996, where he scored one of the most memorable tries in recent history when completing a 70-yard move with his first touch. He was part of the 1999 Rugby World Cup roster, playing two matches, where he scored a try against Japan. His last international cap was also against Ireland, at Lansdowne Road, on 11 November 2001.

He was a regular member of the Crusaders from 1997 to 2001 and played on the right wing. So’oalo excelled in the No.14 jersey, and in a memorable moment in the 1999 Super Rugby final scored a match winning try against the Highlanders, by out sprinting Jeff Wilson to score in the corner, and win the game for the Crusaders.

External links

• Afato So'oalo at ESPNscrum
• Afato So'oalo at New Zealand Rugby History