Jack Afamasaga

Infobox rugby league biography
playername = Jack Afamasaga
fullname = Jack Taualii Afamasaga
nickname = Skuks

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caption =
position = rlp|SR
dateofbirth = Birth date and age|1984|6|2|df=yes
placeofbirth = Lower Hutt
countryofbirth = New Zealand
height = convert|184|cm|ftin|abbr=on
weight = convert|106|kg|stlb|abbr=on
club1 = leagueicon|Parramatta|16 Parramatta Eels
year1start = 2004
year1end = 2005
appearances1 = 11
tries1 = 0
goals1 = 0
fieldgoals1 = 0
points1 = 0
club2 = leagueicon|Manly|16 Manly-Warringah
year2start = 2007
year2end = present
appearances2 = 14
tries2 = 1
goals2 = 0
fieldgoals2 = 0
points2 = 4
updated = 20:13, 8 September 2008 (UTC)
source = [http://www.yesterdayshero.com.au/PlayerProfile_Jack-Afamasaga_440274.aspx Yesterday's Hero]

Jack Taualii Afamasaga (born 2 June 1984 in Lower Hutt, New Zealand) is a New Zealand professional rugby league player for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League competition. He also played with the Parramatta Eels for several seasons. He primarily plays in the Second Row.

Afamasaga is a cousin of Hurricanes and All Blacks player Ma'a Nonuref|ref-rec1.

He is eligible to represent Samoa.cite web|url=http://www.samoaobserver.ws/local/LNPages/0308/2808ln013.htm|title=NRL’s island talent|publisher=Samoa Observer|date=2008-03-28|accessdate=2008-08-04]

Childhood and early career

Born in Lower Hutt, Wellington, Afamasaga originally began playing Rugby union in his youth, playing for the 1st XV team at Waiopehu College in Levin (the same High school attended by former All Black Carlos Spencer) and working his way up through several representative teams before he was eventually selected by the Wellington Hurricanes in their schoolboy team.

In 2002, at age 18, and after several seasons in the Hurricanes' youth system playing in the centres Afamasaga was spotted by Parramatta Eels rugby league scout Mark Horo and was signed to the Australian club on a development deal.

Parramatta Eels

He began playing in the junior grades at the Parramatta club during the 2003 season, impressing with his skill, power and pace. Afamasago made his first grade debut during the 2004 season against the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval. He then went on to play five games for the club and showed glimpses of the great potential he possessed eventually going on to win the Eric Grothe "Rookie of the Year" award.

During the next two seasons with the club, Afamasaga played another six games but could not hold down a permanent first-grade position.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

Afamasaga was offered a new deal at the Eels at the completion of the 2006 NRL season but signed for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles instead, deciding to chase a regular first grade spot.

References

External links

* [http://www.manlyseaeagles.com.au/players.asp?playerid=144 Jack Afamasaga Official player profile]
* [http://www.nrl.com/myclub/players.cfm?TeamID=9 Jack Afamasaga NRL Player Profile]
* [http://www.manlyseaeagles.com.au/news.asp?tx=39&newsid=1300 "Interview with Jack Afamasaga"] , by Ben Horne 27/12/2006, retrieved February 12, 2007