Samoa is one of the best countries in rugby. They’ve continuously participated in the biggest tournaments, and although they’ve yet to win a major title, they’re one of the teams you should watch. Their best performances came in 1991 and 1999 when they beat Wales. Do you know any Samoan rugby players?
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Ben Lam
Ben Lam playing for Samoa. Source: Instagram
Lam is a familiar name within rugby circles. Ben Lam’s uncle Pat Lam played rugby and currently works as a coach. He played rugby and other sports throughout his high school career. After that, Lam started his senior career with the Blues. Other teams he’s played for include:
- Auckland.
- Hurricanes.
- Wellington.
- Bordeaux Begles.
Currently, he plays for Montpellier and has previously played for New Zealand. He won the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014. He now represents Samoa in international rugby.
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Christopher Fatu Vui
Vui played for New Zealand in the junior category before representing Samoa. He played his first game for Samoa in 2016, and the following year, captained the team and became the youngest player to do so. At the club level, Vui played for
- the Blues.
- North Harbour.
- Bristol Bears.
- Worcester Warriors.
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Danny Toala
Danny Toala is a fullback for the Samoa rugby team. He picked up rugby at a young age and played in high school. He helped his school, Hastings Boys, to reach the National Top 4 finals and later win the championship.
Post high school, Toala joined Hawke’s Bay and also played for the Hurricanes. He’s now with Moana Pasifika. Internationally, Toala represented New Zealand on the junior side but switched to Samoa.
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Jordan Lay
Lay adds to the list of Samoan rugby players. He was born in Samoa, but moved to New Zealand with his family. The player has played for several rugby union teams, his first being Bay of Plenty. He then joined Edinburgh and Bristol Bears before moving back to the Bay of Plenty. Currently, Lay represents Blue. The prop was part of the 2019 Rugby World Cup team.
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Lima Sopoaga
Sopoaga in Samoan rugby colors. Source: Instagram
The player is having an impeccable career. In high school, Sopoaga won four titles. In 2010, the Rugby Union side Wellington signed him and played for there for three years. During that period, Sopoaga represented the Highlanders in Super Rugby. He went on and played for:
- Southland.
- Wasps.
- Lyon.
Currently, the player is in the Japanese Rugby League One, playing for Shimizu Blue Sharks. Like other New Zealand-born Samoans, Lima played for the All Blacks under-20 side before switching his allegiance to Samoa in 2023.
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Michael Alaalatoa
Alaalatoa posing for a picture with Samoa rugby uniform. Source: Instagram
Michael Alaalatoa is one of the Samoan rugby players you should watch. Just like his father, he’s represented the country in international tournaments. He played for his school, Newington College First XV and later joined a semi-professional team, Shute Shield.
He later joined Manawatu and is currently playing for Leinster. Internationally, Alaalatoa played for the U20 team before he debuted for the senior side. The prop was part of the 2019 Rugby World Cup team.
Taleni Seu
Seu shots at the Rugby World Cup. Source: Instagram
Another one of the Samoan rugby players you should know is Taleni Seu. He first played for rugby XV in school and went on to play at the Auckland Academy. The flanker played for the side, then moved to the Chiefs, Toyota Shuttles and currently plays for the Waratahs.
Samoan rugby players have a lot of historical ties to New Zealand. Even so, these seven players decided to represent Samoa. It’s always a tough call to make, especially if you were born in one of the countries and linked with the other by virtue of association.
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