Faletoi Peni

Faletoi Peni

Full name	Faalae Faletoi Peni
Born	(2000-04-06) 6 April 2000 (age 25) Māngere, New Zealand
Height	173 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Weight	106 kg (234 lb; 16 st 10 lb)
School	Kelston Boys' High School
Rugby union career
Position First five-eighth / Midfielder Current team Moana Pasifika, Southland Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2024– Southland 16 (15) 2025 New England Free Jacks 6 (13) 2026– Moana Pasifika Correct as of 9 November 2025 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2025– Samoa 1 (0) Correct as of 9 November 2025

Faletoi Peni (born 6 April 2000) is a Samoan rugby union player, who plays for Moana Pasifika and Southland. His preferred position is first five-eighth or midfield. ^[1]

Early career

Peni is from Māngere in South Auckland. ^[2] He attended Kelston Boys' High School but had the majority of his early rugby success playing club rugby where he played for Manukau Rovers leading them to two consecutive Auckland championships. ^[3] Peni spent time in the academy set up for Counties Manukau in 2021, ^[4] but despite his club appearances did not make either the Counties or Auckland full squads.

Professional career

Peni has represented Southland in the National Provincial Championship since 2024, being named in the squad for the 2025 Bunnings NPC. ^[5] He had only signed for Southland in a trial contract in 2024 when he made his debuts due to injury, ^[6] before winning the Southland rookie of the year award. ^[7] In 2025, he signed for New England Free Jacks for the 2025 Major League Rugby season. ^[8] He then signed for Moana Pasifika ahead of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season. ^[9]

Peni made his international debut for Samoa in 2025, debuting in the 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifiers against Brazil. ^[10]

References

1. "Faletoi Peni". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
2. "Faletoi Peni". Moana Pasifika. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
3. "Faletoi Peni stars as Manukau Rovers go back to back as Gallaher Shield champions". TP Plus. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
4. "Strong Counties Manukau B squad named". Counties Sports Hub. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
5. "SBS Bank Southland Stags squad confirmed for Bunnings NPC". Rugby Southland (Press release). 7 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
6. "Faletoi Peni: From four-week trial to Stag Day star". The Southland Tribune. 11 August 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
7. "Captain fantastic scoops Southland Stags top award". The Press. 14 October 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
8. "Free Jacks announce signings of breakout New Zealand NPC backs Faletoi Peni and Simon-Peter Toleafoa". New England Free Jacks. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2025.
9. "Moana Pasifika name squad for 2026". Moana Pasifika (Press release). 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
10. "Samoa Claim Victory over Brazil in Rugby World Cup Qualifying". Americas Rugby News. 8 November 2025. Retrieved 9 November 2025.

External links

• itsrugby.co.uk Profile