Danny K. Kaleopa (born 3 May 1966) is a former Samoan rugby union player. He played as a flanker. He played for Auckland, Nippon Steel, and Waitakere City.[1] He also played for the Hawaii Harlequins from Hawai'i.[2]

Danny Kaleopa
Date of birth (1966-05-03) 3 May 1966 (age 58)
Place of birthSamoa
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight209 lb (95 kg)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1995 Te Atatu ()
2000–2003 Waitakere City ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1996–2000 Nippon Steel ()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1990-1994 Canterbury ()
1995 Auckland 6 (5)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1990–1993 Samoa 7 (12)

Career

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His debut with Western Samoa was during a test match against Korea at Tokyo, on 8 April 1990. He was part of the 1991 Rugby World Cup roster. His last international appearance was in a test match against Fiji at Apia, on 5 June 1993. In 1993, he played for the Samoa national team at the first ever Rugby World Cup Sevens, taking part in a series of test matches on 28 March 1993, when the teams of New Zealand (24-14) and Fiji (14-12) were defeated, and in the game against the New Zealanders, he scored several tries.[3]

After career

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In 2011, after Samoa's disastrous performance at the World Cup in New Zealand, Kaleopa supported team captain Mahonri Schwalger, who called for reforms in the Samoa Rugby Union and to understand the reasons for the Samoan failures.[4] The reason for Schwalger's indignation was the scandalous behavior of the national team manager Mathew Vaea, who was fired from the national team for drunkenness and neglection of duty at the World Cup.[5]

His daughter is the New Zealand swimmer Gabrielle Fa'amausili.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Reddaway, Graham (30 June 2000). "Referee frustrates club rivals". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  2. ^ world.rugby. "Kingsholm arrival sparks memories of facing 1991 All Blacks for USA's kicking coach | Rugby World Cup". www.rugbyworldcup.com. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  3. ^ "Awesome Manu Samoa snatch Hong Kong 7's crown". Samoa Observer. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  4. ^ Tauafiafi, Aigaletaule’ale’ā F. (26 October 2011). "Former Manu players back Schwalger". Pacific Guardians. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Corruption claims rock Samoa". Stuff. 29 October 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  6. ^ "Success in the pool for Avondale College swimmers Gabrielle Fa'amausili and Caitlin Mann". College Sport Media. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
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