Peter Fatialofa
| Full name | Peter Momoe Fatialofa | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 26 April 1959 | ||
| Place of birth | Auckland, New Zealand | ||
| Date of death | 6 November 2013 (aged 54) | ||
| Place of death | Apia, Samoa | ||
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in) | ||
| Weight | 115 kg (254 lb) | ||
| Notable relative(s) | DJ Forbes (nephew) | ||
| Occupation(s) | Piano and furniture mover | ||
| Rugby union career | |||
| Playing career | |||
| Position | Prop | ||
| Professional / senior clubs | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 1980 1981–96 1984–96 |
Grafton Ponsonby RFC Auckland |
72 |
|
| National team(s) | |||
| Years | Club / team | Caps | (points) |
| 1988–96 | Samoa | 34 | (15) |
Peter Momoe Fatialofa MNZM (26 April 1959 – 6 November 2013) was a Samoan rugby player[1] who captained Samoa in their first Rugby World Cup appearance in 1991. He was among the first of the New Zealand-based players to represent Samoa.
Early life
Fatialofa was born in Auckland, but returned to Samoa when he was still at primary school.[2]
Career
Fatialofa began his senior rugby career in Auckland playing for the Grafton Club as a 19-year-old[2] in the Auckland Senior B competition. He transferred to the Ponsonby club in 1981, winning the Gallaher Shield eight times with that team between 1981 and 1995.[3] He played 72 representative games for Auckland and was part of their Ranfurly Shield reign from 1985 to 1993.
Fatialofa debuted for Samoa against Ireland in a test match on 29 October in their 1988 tour of Wales and Ireland. He first captained Samoa in 1989 and led them at the 1991 Rugby World Cup. They lost to Scotland in the quarter-finals 28–6.
Fatialofa last played for Samoa against Fiji in Suva on 20 July 1996. Fats: Peter Fatialofa and the Manu Samoa Story an autobiography was published and released the same year. He subsequently worked as a director for his family-owned piano and furniture moving business.[4]
In the 1996 Queen's Birthday Honours, Fatialofa was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to rugby.[5]
He died 6 November 2013 in Samoa of a heart attack.[6][7]
References
- ↑ "Peter Fatialofa". ESPN Scrum. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
- 1 2 Gifford, Phil (10 November 1996). "Fats finds focus for festive final fling". Sunday Star Times. p. 5.
- ↑ Logan, Innes (25 August 1996). "Rebel who found a cause". Sunday News. p. 41.
- ↑ Fats Enterprises
- ↑ Queen's Birthday Honours List 1996. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
- ↑ Samoan rugby great Peter Fatialofa dies. 3 News NZ. 6 November 2013.
- ↑ TVNZ: Legend Peter Fatialofa dies aged 54