Thretton Palamo
Encyclopedia
Thretton Palamo is an American rugby union
player of Samoan origin who plays as a centre or fly-half. He is the youngest ever player to have made an appearance at the Rugby World Cup
. He is a graduate of Davis Senior High School
in Davis, California
and attends the University of Utah
.
, Palamo went to Utah and now plays rugby union and American football for the Utes
. He spent his freshman year just playing rugby and, in June 2010, led the Scrummin' Utes to victory in the inaugural USA Sevens Collegiate Rugby Championship, scoring two tries in a 31-26 overtime win over the California Golden Bears. A desire to play American football and some help from Burdette, a former Utes tight end, saw Palamo join the Utes American football program in early 2011, taking part in spring scrimmages as a running back.
between 1979 and 1982 before moving to San Francisco to take up an academic scholarship at UC Davis. Palamo has one sister and two older brothers, Toshi and Seta, who have both played Sevens for the USA. His father introduced him to rugby union and he was influenced to play the sport after watching his brothers play.
.
Within six months of joining SFGG, Palamo was called to represent Samoa
at U19 level and also went on to play Sevens for the country of his father's birth. However, as he approached 18 - the age deadline to commit to a specific national team - he decided to play for his own country of birth, the United States, saying this could create opportunities for other Samoan players.
squad to participate at the 2007 Rugby World Cup
. He played his only match of the tournament in the 15-64 loss to South Africa
on 30 September 2007. The appearance was just eight days after his 19th birthday and made him the youngest player in Rugby World Cup history, lowering the record of Federico Méndez
of Argentina
, who was 19 years and 63 days when he appeared at the 1991 Rugby World Cup
.
He made his only other full test appearance for the Eagles in a tour match against Japan in Tokyo on 22 November 2008 before going on to captain the USA's Sevens team at the 2009 World Games in Chinese Taipei.
during the 2008-09 season
and played alongside fellow Eagles international Takudzwa Ngwenya
. Despite signing a three-year contract with Biarritz, he returned to the United States at the end of his first season to continue his studies.
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...
player of Samoan origin who plays as a centre or fly-half. He is the youngest ever player to have made an appearance at the Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
. He is a graduate of Davis Senior High School
Davis Senior High School
Davis Senior High School is one of four high schools located in Davis, California, in the United States. DHS is a WASC accredited, 3-year, public comprehensive high school covering grades 10-12. The campus opened its current location in 1961. Enrollment for school year 2004-2005 was 1,831 students...
in Davis, California
Davis, California
Davis is a city in Yolo County, California, United States. It is part of the Sacramento–Arden-Arcade–Roseville Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and attends the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
.
University of Utah
With a recommendation from Utah alum, USA Rugby World Cup team-mate and Utah's head rugby coach Blake BurdetteBlake Burdette
Blake Burdette is an American rugby union hooker or prop. He is a member of the United States national rugby union team and participated with the squad at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.-References:...
, Palamo went to Utah and now plays rugby union and American football for the Utes
Utah Utes football
The Utah Utes football program is a college football team that currently competes in the Pacific-12 Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision of NCAA Division I and represents the University of Utah. The Utah college football program began in 1892 and has played home games at Rice–Eccles...
. He spent his freshman year just playing rugby and, in June 2010, led the Scrummin' Utes to victory in the inaugural USA Sevens Collegiate Rugby Championship, scoring two tries in a 31-26 overtime win over the California Golden Bears. A desire to play American football and some help from Burdette, a former Utes tight end, saw Palamo join the Utes American football program in early 2011, taking part in spring scrimmages as a running back.
Family
His father, Arona Palamo, played international rugby union at centre and flyhalf for SamoaSamoa 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...
between 1979 and 1982 before moving to San Francisco to take up an academic scholarship at UC Davis. Palamo has one sister and two older brothers, Toshi and Seta, who have both played Sevens for the USA. His father introduced him to rugby union and he was influenced to play the sport after watching his brothers play.
Early career
During his high school career he played both basketball - winning selection to the USA's U16 national team, and American football - leading his team in rushing yards and tackles during his senior year. He didn't officially start playing rugby until he was 16 when he joined the same club as his brothers, the San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby ClubSan Francisco Golden Gate RFC
San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in San Francisco, California. SFGG's first side competes in the Rugby Super League. The club also fields a developmental squad in the Northern California Rugby Football Union's Division II. The SFGG Youth Program includes...
.
Within six months of joining SFGG, Palamo was called to represent 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...
at U19 level and also went on to play Sevens for the country of his father's birth. However, as he approached 18 - the age deadline to commit to a specific national team - he decided to play for his own country of birth, the United States, saying this could create opportunities for other Samoan players.
International rugby career
Aged only 18, he was called into the United StatesUnited States national rugby union team
USA Rugby's men's national rugby union team, nicknamed the Eagles, represents the United States in the sport of rugby union. The Eagles are currently ranked 17th by the IRB World Rankings. Their highest ranking was from November 2, 2006 – September 10, 2007 at the 14th position...
squad to participate at the 2007 Rugby World Cup
2007 Rugby World Cup
The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international rugby union competition inaugurated in 1987. Twenty nations competed for the Webb Ellis Cup in the tournament, which was hosted by France from 7 September to 20 October. France won the hosting rights in 2003,...
. He played his only match of the tournament in the 15-64 loss to South Africa
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
on 30 September 2007. The appearance was just eight days after his 19th birthday and made him the youngest player in Rugby World Cup history, lowering the record of Federico Méndez
Federico Mendez
Federico Mendez , also known as Freddie Mendez is an Argentine rugby union footballer.Méndez played professional rugby in South Africa, England and France...
of Argentina
Argentina national rugby union team
The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international rugby union matches. The team, which plays in sky blue and white jerseys, is organised by the Argentine Rugby Union .Argentina played its first international rugby match in 1910 against a touring British...
, who was 19 years and 63 days when he appeared at the 1991 Rugby World Cup
1991 Rugby World Cup
The 1991 Rugby World Cup was the second edition of the Rugby World Cup, and was jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France; at that time, the five European countries that participated in the Five Nations Championship making it the first Rugby World Cup to be staged in the...
.
He made his only other full test appearance for the Eagles in a tour match against Japan in Tokyo on 22 November 2008 before going on to captain the USA's Sevens team at the 2009 World Games in Chinese Taipei.
Professional rugby career
He played in France for Top 14 club BiarritzBiarritz 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...
during the 2008-09 season
2008-09 Top 14 season
The 2008–09 Top 14 Competition was a French domestic rugby union club competition operated by the Ligue Nationale de Rugby . It ran from late August 2008 through the final at Stade de France on June 6, 2009, in which Perpignan lifted the Bouclier de Brennus with a 22–13 win over Clermont.This...
and played alongside fellow Eagles international Takudzwa Ngwenya
Takudzwa Ngwenya
Takudzwa Ngwenya is a rugby union player who plays on the wing for the United States national rugby union team and French power Biarritz...
. Despite signing a three-year contract with Biarritz, he returned to the United States at the end of his first season to continue his studies.