Sakaria Taulafo (born 29 January 1983)[2] is a Samoa international rugby union player and a New Zealand national. He currently plays for Rugby United New York (RUNY) of Major League Rugby (MLR).

Sakaria Taulafo
Birth nameSakaria Taulafo
Date of birth (1983-01-29) 29 January 1983 (age 41)
Place of birthMotootua, Samoa
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight120 kg (18 st 13 lb; 265 lb)[1]
SchoolNelson College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Loosehead Prop
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009–13 London Wasps 86 (15)
2013–2018 Stade Français 78 (10)
2020 Glendale Raptors ()
2021– Rugby United New York ()
Correct as of 12 August 2015
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
2003–05 Nelson Bays ()
2005–09 Tasman 21 (0)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2009– Samoa 44 (5)
Correct as of 26 November 2016

Career

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Taulafo attended Nelson College in 2002 and was a member of the school's 1st XV rugby union team.[3] He can play at loosehead or tighthead prop. He initially played for Tasman and Nelson Bays in the Air New Zealand Cup.

He made his debut for Samoa on their 2009 Autumn tour and represented them until 2016.[4]

From 2009 – 2013 he played for the London Wasps in the English club competition, the Aviva Premiership.[5] From 2013 – 2018 he played for Stade Francais.[5]

In 2020 he moved to the United States to play for the Glendale Raptors of Major League Rugby (MLR),[4] before being traded to Rugby United New York for the 2021 season.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Aviva Premiership Rugby – London Wasps". web page. Premier Rugby. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 10 September 2011.
  2. ^ Zak Taulafo player profile ESPN Scrum.com
  3. ^ Nelson College Old Boys' Register, 1856–2006, 6th edition
  4. ^ a b "Zak Taulafo enjoying Major League Rugby as Pele Cowley signs for Austin". Samoa Observer. 3 March 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "Rugby United New York Adds Sakaria Taulafo". DJ Coil Rugby. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
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