Henry Fa'afili


Henry Fa'afili is a Samoan-born New Zealand former professional rugby league and rugby union footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. He played representative rugby league for New Zealand Secondary Schools, the New Zealand Junior Kiwis, New Zealand and Samoa, and at club level for Auckland Warriors and the Warrington Wolves, as a, or, he switched codes in 2007, and played representative rugby union for Samoa, and at club level for Biarritz Olympique, Leeds Carnegie and Connacht Rugby, as a wing, or centre.

Early years

Fa'afili was born in Apia, Samoa. He was educated at both Manurewa High School and De La Salle College, Mangere East. He represented both the New Zealand Secondary Schools team and the Junior Kiwis in 1998.

New Zealand Warriors

He made his début for the Auckland Warriors in the Australasian National Rugby League in 2000.

Warrington Wolves

Fa'afili signed for the Warrington Wolves in 2004, and made his début on Sunday 8 August 2004, and whilst at the Warrington Wolves he scored many tries from high cross field kicks from Lee Briers. He scored 73 tries in 97 appearances for the Warrington Wolves. He was the top try-scorer in the Super League for the 2007's Super League XII. He left the Warrington Wolves at the end of 2007 season because of salary cap restraints. Fa'afili played his last match for the Warrington Wolves in the 34–26 victory over the Salford City Reds on Friday 14 September 2007.

Biarritz Olympique

Fa'afili agreed what was initially seen as a short-term deal with French rugby union side Biarritz. He was initially meant to play there short-term but ended up staying longer.

Leeds Carengie

He joined Leeds Carnegie ahead of the 2010–11 English Premiership season but left after one 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. He left after one season

International career

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 Park, 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 rugby union for Samoa