Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Full name | Iafeta Iakopo Paleaaesina [1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Auckland, New Zealand | 10 February 1983||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 187 cm (6 ft 2 in) [2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 110 kg (17 st 5 lb) [2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Prop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Iafeta Iakopo "Feka" Paleaaesina (born 10 February 1983) is a New Zealand former rugby league footballer. He played as a prop for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL, and for the Wigan Warriors, Salford City Reds and Hull F.C. in the Super League.
Paleaaesina was born in Auckland, New Zealand and of Tokelau and Samoan descent.
He was educated at Penrose High School (now One Tree Hill College) in Auckland.
He started playing rugby league at the age of nine with New Zealand club Otahuhu Leopards.
He made his National Rugby League (NRL) début with the New Zealand Warriors against Northern Eagles in June 2001, [6] and went on to become one of the club's most effective performers. Before his NRL debut, he had previously played for Papatoetoe in the Auckland competition, and Hibiscus Coast Raiders in the Bartercard Cup.
Paleaaesina played for the Junior Kiwis in 2001, and the Kiwis in 2005.
In June 2005 he signed a three-year deal to play for Wigan Warriors, starting in 2006. Recently arrived Wigan Warriors coach Ian Millward commented: "This is a great signing for us. He will add size and pace to our pack for next year and he is only 22 years of age." Paleaaesina said: "It's a great thrill to be joining Wigan and my good friend Jerry Seu Seu. I had several offers but Wigan is still the biggest name down here and it will be a thrill to play for them."
Iafeta Paleaaesina impressed on his league début for the Wigan Warriors scoring a try in the opening 2006 Super League XI match against the Catalans Dragons. Paleaaesina also scored again in Wigan Warriors' 36–20 victory over the Huddersfield Giants on 24 February 2006.
He was one of the best players for Wigan Warriors in the 2006 Super League season despite damaging his calf muscle in a game against the Warrington Wolves. His return from injury was against the Huddersfield Giants on 22 April 2006 which Wigan Warriors won 46–14. Iafeta Paleaaesina played a key role in Wigan Warriors: 2007 squad making a noticeable impact to their performances.
Although his surname is often written with an apostrophe in the middle (between the 2 letter "a"s), this is incorrect. When the player first arrived at Wigan Warriors, he was handed his playing shirt with his name on it, and he returned it, stating that the spelling was incorrect. A new one was produced, minus the apostrophe, which he was happy with.
On 4 October 2007 the RLIF gave permission for Paleaaesina to represent Samoa at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup rather than New Zealand who he had previously represented in international matches. He qualified to play for Samoa due to his Samoan heritage. [7]
He played in the 2010 Super League Grand Final victory over St. Helens at Old Trafford. [8]
In 2014, Paleaaesina signed to play for Hull F.C. in the Super League. [9]
In 2016, Paleaaesina played for Doncaster as a dual registration player before joining the club on a permanent basis at the end of the season. [10]
In September 2017, Paleaaesina announced he would be retiring at the end of the season. [11]
George Carmont, also known by the nickname of "Chicken George" or "Gorgeous George", is a former Samoa international rugby league footballer who played as a centre for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League (NRL) and the Wigan Warriors in the Super League.
Joseph Sonny Vagana, also known by the nickname of "Big Joe", is a former professional rugby league footballer who played as a Prop forward in the 1990s and 2000s. During his career Vagana played for the Auckland Warriors, and the Bradford Bulls, and also represented both Samoa and New Zealand in international competition.
Motu Iosefo Tony is a former New Zealand international rugby league footballer who played as a fullback in the 2000s and 2010s. He previously played in the NRL for the New Zealand Warriors and the Brisbane Broncos before playing in the Super League for the Castleford Tigers, Hull F.C. and the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, and in the RFL Championship for Whitehaven.
Iosia Soliola is a former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Canberra Raiders in the National Rugby League (NRL). He played for New Zealand and Samoa at international level.
Misi Taulapapa is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a centre or winger for Doncaster RLFC in the RFL Championship.
Tevita Vaikona is a Tongan professional rugby league and rugby union footballer, a winger who played rugby league and picked up many honours before switching codes to rugby union. In 2002, Vaikona was voted best rugby league winger in the world.
Epalahame "Hame" Lauaki is a Tongan former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Bradford Bulls in the Championship.
Patrick Ah Van is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a winger for the North Wales Crusaders in RFL League 1.
Willie Poching is a New Zealand professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the former head-coach of Wakefield Trinity in the Super League. When he was appointed head coach of Wakefield, he became the first Samoan head coach of a first grade rugby league club. A former New Zealand, and Samoa international representative forward, he spent his career playing for clubs in New Zealand, Australia and finally England, winning the Super League championship with Leeds Rhinos in 2004.
Viliami Sikalamu "Sika" Manu is a former professional rugby league footballer who played as a second-row forward for Tonga and New Zealand at international level, being a member of the World Cup winning Kiwi team who beat Australia in the 2008 World Cup Final.
Willie Isa is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a Second-row, Centre, Loose forward or winger for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League.
A'au James Leuluai is a New Zealand former international rugby league centre.
Carlos Tuimavave is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a centre or stand-off for Hull F.C. in the Super League.
Mahe Fonua is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who plays as a centre or winger for Mackay Cutters in the Queensland Cup.
Suaia Matagi, also known by the nickname of "Sui", is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop forward for Doncaster R.L.F.C. in the RFL Championship. He is both a New Zealand and Samoan international.
Liligiifo Sao is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a prop and loose forward for Hull F.C. in the Betfred Super League.
Bureta Faraimo is a United States international rugby league footballer who plays on the wing for the Doncaster RLFC in the RFL League 1.
Manu Maʻu is a rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the Catalans Dragons in the Betfred Super League. He has played for both Tonga and New Zealand at international level.
Fa'amanu Brown is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a hooker for the St. George Illawarra Dragons and has represented Samoa and New Zealand at international level. He played as a halfback, five-eighth and lock earlier in his career.
Albert Vete is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who last played as a prop forward for the Castleford Tigers in the Super League.