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 (age 50)
Place of birthApia, Samoa
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight193 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

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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.[1] 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.[citation needed]

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.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ "BBC News | Western Samoa | Key player: Afato So'oalo". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 11 March 2017.
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