Iafeta Paleaaesina
Encyclopedia
Iafeta Iakopo Palea'aesina (born 10 February 1982, Auckland
, New Zealand), is a rugby league
footballer of Samoa
n heritage) currently playing for the Salford City Reds
of Super League
. He plays as a prop.
Educated at Penrose High School (now One Tree Hill College) in Auckland, Iafeta Palea'aesina started playing rugby league at the age of 9 with New Zealand club Otahuhu Leopards
.
He made his National Rugby League
(NRL) debut with the New Zealand Warriors
against Northern Eagles
in June 2001, and went on to become one of the clubs most effective performers. Before his NRL debut, he had previously played for Papatoetoe in the Auckland competition, and Hibiscus Coast Raiders
in the Bartercard Cup
.
In June 2005 he signed a three-year deal to play for Wigan, starting in 2006. Recently arrived Wigan coach Ian Millward
commented: "This is a great signing for us. He will add size and pace to our pack for next year and he is only 23 years of age." Palea'aesina said: "It's a great thrill to be joining Wigan and my good friend Jerry Seu Seu
. I had several offers but Wigan is still the biggest name down here and it will be a thrill to play for them."
Palea'aesina played for the Junior Kiwis in 2001, and the Kiwis in 2005.
Iafeta Palea'aesina impressed on his league debut for the Wigan Warriors scoring a try in the opening Super League XI
match against Catalans Dragons
. Palea'aesina also scored again in Wigan's 36–20 win over the Huddersfield Giants
on the 24 February 2006.
He was one of the best players for Wigan in the 2006 Super League season despite damaging his calf muscle in a game against the Warrington Wolves
. His return from injury was against Huddersfield Giants
on 22 April 2006 which Wigan won 46–14. Iafeta Palea'aesina has played a key role in Wigans 2007 squad making a noticeable impact to Wigans performances.
On the 4 October 2007 the RLIF gave permission for Palea'aesina to represent Samoa
at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
rather than New Zealand
who he had previously represented in international matches. He qualified to play for Samoa due to his Samoan heritage.
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand), is a 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...
footballer of Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
n heritage) currently playing for the 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...
of 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...
. He plays as a prop.
Educated at Penrose High School (now One Tree Hill College) in Auckland, Iafeta Palea'aesina started playing rugby league at the age of 9 with New Zealand club Otahuhu Leopards
Otahuhu Leopards
The Otahuhu Leopards are a rugby league club based in Otahuhu, New Zealand. The club competes in the Fox Memorial competition run by the Auckland Rugby League. They are coached by Peter Caccioppoli. Between 2000 and 2003 they also competed in the Bartercard Cup.The team are the current holders of...
.
He made his 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...
(NRL) debut with the New Zealand Warriors
New 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...
against Northern Eagles
Northern Eagles
The Northern Eagles were a rugby league team, that competed in the National Rugby League between 2000 and 2002. The club was formed during the rationalisation process of the NRL by the merger of the North Sydney Bears and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in 2000...
in June 2001, and went on to become one of the clubs most effective performers. Before his NRL debut, he had previously played for Papatoetoe in the Auckland competition, and Hibiscus Coast Raiders
Hibiscus Coast Raiders
The Hibiscus Coast Raiders are a rugby league club based on the Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand. They compete in Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition and between 2000 and 2005 were also involved in the Bartercard Cup competition.-History:...
in the Bartercard Cup
Bartercard Cup
The Bartercard Cup was the top level rugby league club competition in New Zealand from 2000 until 2007. For the entire life of the tournament it was sponsored by Bartercard. The cup was administered by the New Zealand Rugby League...
.
In June 2005 he signed a three-year deal to play for Wigan, starting in 2006. Recently arrived Wigan coach Ian Millward
Ian Millward
Ian Millward is an Australian rugby league coach and former player. Millward is currently the head coach at Super League side Castleford....
commented: "This is a great signing for us. He will add size and pace to our pack for next year and he is only 23 years of age." Palea'aesina said: "It's a great thrill to be joining Wigan and my good friend Jerry Seu Seu
Jerry Seu Seu
Jerry Seuseu is a former professional rugby league player who represented New Zealand and Samoa. His position of choice was as a prop forward...
. I had several offers but Wigan is still the biggest name down here and it will be a thrill to play for them."
Palea'aesina played for the Junior Kiwis in 2001, and the Kiwis in 2005.
Iafeta Palea'aesina impressed on his league debut for the Wigan Warriors scoring a try in the opening Super League XI
Super League XI
Engage Super League XI was the official name for the year 2006's Super League season in the sport of rugby league in Europe. Bradford Bulls were looking to retain the title they won in Super League X....
match against Catalans Dragons
Catalans Dragons
The Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom...
. Palea'aesina also scored again in Wigan's 36–20 win over the Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
on the 24 February 2006.
He was one of the best players for Wigan in the 2006 Super League season despite damaging his calf muscle in a game against 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....
. His return from injury was against Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
on 22 April 2006 which Wigan won 46–14. Iafeta Palea'aesina has played a key role in Wigans 2007 squad making a noticeable impact to Wigans performances.
On the 4 October 2007 the RLIF gave permission for Palea'aesina to represent Samoa
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...
at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
rather than 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...
who he had previously represented in international matches. He qualified to play for Samoa due to his Samoan heritage.
Career highlights
- Junior Club: Papatoetoe Panthers
- First Grade Debut: Round 15, Warriors v Northern Eagles at Ericsson Stadium, 1 June 2001
- Career Stats: 83 career games to date scoring 8 tries