Henry Fa'afili
Encyclopedia
Henry Fa'afili is a Samoan
rugby player. He originally played Rugby league
but switched codes in 2007 to play rugby union
for Biarritz Olympique
. He is currently signed to Connacht Rugby
in the Celtic League
after departing Leeds Carnegie in June 2011. Fa'afili's position of choice is on the Wing or in the Centres. Fa'afili has been capped in Rugby League
for New Zealand
and Samoan
.
and De La Salle College, Mangere East
. He represented both the New Zealand Secondary Schools team and the Junior Kiwis
in 1998.
in the National Rugby League
competition. He made his debut in 2000.
in 2004 and whilst at Warrington he has scored many tries from high cross field kicks from Lee Briers
. He has scored 72 tries in 92 appearances for the Wolves (as at August 2007). He was the top try-scorer in Super League
for the 2007 season
. It was recently announced that he will leave the Wolves at the end of 2007 season because of salary cap restraints. Fa'afili played his last game for the Warrington Wolves
on Friday 14 September 2007 against Salford City Reds
. The Wolves won 34–26.
side Biarritz
. He was initially meant to play there short term but ended up staying longer.
, Blackburn during the Tri-Nations
. His last appearance for New Zealand was against Great Britain
in June 2006 at St Helens. He also represented Samoa in the 2000 World Cup
. He has also been capped internationally in Union for Samoa
Samoans
The Samoan people are a Polynesian ethnic group of the Samoan Islands, sharing genetics, language, history and culture. Due to colonialism, the home islands are politically and geographically divided between the country of Samoa, official name Independent State of Samoa ; and American Samoa, an...
rugby player. He originally played Rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
but switched codes in 2007 to play rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
for Biarritz Olympique
Biarritz Olympique
Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque is a French professional rugby union team based in the Basque city of Biarritz, Aquitaine which competes in the Top 14 and the Heineken Cup...
. He is currently signed to Connacht Rugby
Connacht Rugby
Connacht Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Connacht that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 comprising teams from the Celtic nations plus Italy. Normally, it also competes in the second-tier pan-European club competition, the European Challenge Cup...
in the Celtic League
Celtic League (rugby union)
The Celtic League is an annual rugby union competition involving professional sides from Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
after departing Leeds Carnegie in June 2011. Fa'afili's position of choice is on the Wing or in the Centres. Fa'afili has been capped in Rugby League
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
for New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
and Samoan
Samoa national rugby league team
-Notable Players & Coaches:* John Ackland * Steve Kaiser Coach 1990 - 1994* Steve Kaiser 1986* Afi Ah Koui 1986* Andrew Ah Koui 1986* George Apelu 1986* Fa'ausu Afoa circa-1995* Wing Afoa 1990 - 1994* Isaak Ah Mau circa-2006...
.
Early years
Fa'afili was educated at both Manurewa High SchoolManurewa High School
Manurewa High School is one of the larger Secondary Schools in New Zealand, with an enrolment reaching 2,200 students.Manurewa High School is a multi-cultural school. It has European 33%, Polynesian 26%, Maori 22%, Asian 15% and other groups 4%...
and De La Salle College, Mangere East
De La Salle College, Mangere East
De La Salle College is an integrated Catholic secondary boys' school Auckland, New Zealand. Established in 1953 by the De La Salle Brothers, it continues to educate young men in the Catholic faith and Christian values. Students are encouraged to develop every aspect of their person and a strong...
. He represented both the New Zealand Secondary Schools team and the Junior Kiwis
Junior Kiwis
The Junior Kiwis side represents New Zealand in the sport of rugby league. They are commonly known as the Junior Kiwis, after the native bird of that name. They are not necessarily an age grade side, but the second national team behind the New Zealand national rugby league team. They are...
in 1998.
New Zealand Warriors
He has previously played for the New Zealand WarriorsNew Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
in the National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
competition. He made his debut in 2000.
Warrington Wolves
Fa'afili signed for Warrington WolvesWarrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
in 2004 and whilst at Warrington he has scored many tries from high cross field kicks from Lee Briers
Lee Briers
Lee Briers is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for Warrington Wolves in the Super League. He previously played for St Helens, and at international level he won 23 caps for Wales, many of those as captain...
. He has scored 72 tries in 92 appearances for the Wolves (as at August 2007). He was the top try-scorer in Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
for the 2007 season
Super League XII
Engage Super League XII is the official name for the year 2007's Super League season in the sport of rugby league.The 2007 season kicked off on the weekend of 2 February 2007 at the Galpharm Stadium. For the first time, the league had a staggered start due to the World Club Challenge between St...
. It was recently announced that he will leave the Wolves at the end of 2007 season because of salary cap restraints. Fa'afili played his last game for the Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
on Friday 14 September 2007 against Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
. The Wolves won 34–26.
Biarritz Olympique
Fa'afili agreed what was initially seen as a short-term deal with French Rugby UnionRugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
side Biarritz
Biarritz Olympique
Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque is a French professional rugby union team based in the Basque city of Biarritz, Aquitaine which competes in the Top 14 and the Heineken Cup...
. He was initially meant to play there short term but ended up staying longer.
Leeds Carengie
He joined Leeds ahead of the 2010–11 season but left after 1 season when the club were relegated.Connacht Rugby
Henry joined Connacht in the Summer of 2011 as part of Head Coach Eric Elwood's squad joining fellow Samoan Ray Ofisa.International
Fa'afili has also represented New Zealand in rugby league at international level on several occasions, scoring a hat-trick against Great Britain in 2003 at Ewood ParkEwood Park
Ewood Park is a football stadium in the English town of Blackburn, Lancashire, and is the home of Blackburn Rovers Football Club — one of the founder members of the Football League and Premier League. Rovers have played there since they moved from Leamington Street in the summer of 1890. The...
, Blackburn during the Tri-Nations
Rugby League Tri-Nations
The Rugby League Tri-Nations was a rugby league tournament involving the top three nations in the sport: Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand...
. His last appearance for New Zealand was against Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
in June 2006 at St Helens. He also represented Samoa in the 2000 World Cup
2000 Rugby League World Cup
The 2000 Rugby League World Cup was the twelfth staging of the Rugby League World Cup and was held during October and November of that year in Great Britain, Ireland and France...
. He has also been capped internationally in Union for Samoa
Samoa national rugby union team
The Manu Samoa is the men's representative side of the Samoa Rugby Union in both the 15's and the 7's for international competitions. The Samoa Rugby Union is owned by the affiliated rugby unions of Samoa. In Samoa, Manu Samoa is in honour of a famous Samoan warrior. From 1924 to 1997 Samoa was...