Maliu Niuafe

Last updated

Maliu Niuafe
Born (2003-07-03) 3 July 2003 (age 22)
California, United States
Height193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight127 kg (280 lb; 20 st 0 lb)
Rugby union career
Position Prop
Current team New England Free Jacks
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2025 RFC Los Angeles 15 (0)
2025– Auckland 0 (0)
2026– New England Free Jacks
Correct as of 9 December 2025
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2025– United States 3 (0)
Correct as of 9 December 2025

Maliu Niuafe (born 3 July 2003) is an American rugby union player, currently playing for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby (MLR). His preferred position is prop. [1]

Contents

Early career

Niuafe was born in California, but raised in New Zealand. [2] He attended Aorere College in Auckland and represented the Blues academy at U18 and U20 level. [3] [4] He was named in the New Zealand U20 side in 2023. [5]

Professional career

Niuafe signed his first professional contract for RFC Los Angeles ahead of the 2025 Major League Rugby season. [6] He would make fifteen appearances in his first season, before returning to New Zealand in the off-season, where he was named in the Auckland squad for the 2025 Bunnings NPC. [7] He signed for the New England Free Jacks ahead of the 2026 Major League Rugby season. [8]

Niuafe made his debut for the United States national team in September 2025, debuting against Samoa. [9]

References

  1. ↑ "Maliu Niuafe". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  2. ↑ "New faces as Eagle pool for PNC named". Goff Rugby Report. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  3. ↑ "Under-18 camps to reach into communities". Blues. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  4. ↑ "U20 wider squad". Blues. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  5. ↑ "New Zealand Under 20 squad named for the World Rugby U20 Championship". NZ Rugby. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  6. ↑ "RFCLA Roster Set for MLR 2025". Our Sports Central. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
  7. ↑ @aucklandrugby; (21 July 2025). "Ready to Dance in 2025" . Retrieved 22 July 2025– via Instagram.
  8. ↑ @nefreejacks; (8 December 2025). "Three new additions, each bringing a different edge to 2026" . Retrieved 9 December 2025– via Instagram.
  9. ↑ "USA qualify for World Cup with big win over Samoa". Americas Rugby News. 14 September 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.


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