Iafeta Paleaaesina

Infobox rugby league biography
playername = Iafeta Paleaaesina
fullname = Iafeta Paleaaesina
nickname = Feka, Rhino


image_size = 250px
caption =
country =
position = Prop
currentclub = leagueicon|Wigan|size=16 Wigan
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1982|2|10
placeofbirth = Auckland
countryofbirth = New Zealand
height = 6 ft 1/2 in (1.84 m)
weight = 18 st 0 lbs (114 kg)
club1 = leagueicon|New Zealand Warriors|size=16 NZ Warriors
year1start = 2001
year1end = 2005
appearances1 = 83
tries1 =
goals1 =
fieldgoals1 =
points1 = 32
club2 = leagueicon|Wigan|size=16 Wigan Warriors
year2start = 2006
year2end =
appearances2 = 44
tries2 =
goals2 =
fieldgoals2 =
points2 = 20
teamA = leagueicon|New Zealand Kiwis|16 Junior Kiwis
yearAstart =
yearAend =
appearancesA =
triesA =
goalsA =
fieldgoalsA =
pointsA =
teamB = Flagicon|New Zealand New Zealand
yearBstart = 2005
yearBend = 2006
appearancesB =
triesB =
goalsB =
fieldgoalsB =
pointsB =
teamC = Flagicon|Samoa Samoa
yearCstart = 2007
yearCend =
appearancesC =
triesC =
goalsC =
fieldgoalsC =
pointsC =
updated =
source =
new = yes

Iafeta Paleaaesina (Born 10 February 1982, Auckland, New Zealand of Samoan heritage) also written incorrectly Iafeta Palea'aesina, is a rugby league player for the Wigan Warriors. He plays as a prop.

Educated at Penrose High School in Auckland, Iafeta Paleaaesina started playing rugby league at the age of 9 with New Zealand club Otahuhu Leopards.

He made his National Rugby League (NRL) debut with the New Zealand Warriors against Northern Eagles in June 2001, and went on to become one of the clubs 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.

In June 2005 he signed a three-year deal to play for Wigan, starting in 2006. Recently arrived Wigan 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 23 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 already has representative honors, playing for the Junior Kiwis in 2001, and the Kiwis in 2005. With his ancestors being Samoan he is certain to have some kind of international career in front of him.

Iafeta Paleaaesina impressed on his league debute for the Wigan Warriors scoring a try in the opening Super League XI match against Les Catalans. Palea'aesina also scored again in Wigan's 36-20 win over the Huddersfield Giants on the 24th February 2006.

He was one of the best players for Wigan in the 2006 Super League season despite damaging his calf muscle in a game against the Warrington Wolves. His return from injury was against Huddersfield Giants on 22nd April 2006 which Wigan won 46-14. Iafeta Paleaaesina has played a key role in Wigans 2007 squad making a noticeable impact to Wigans performances.

On the 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.cite news
title = Samoa receive Palea'aesina boost
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7028379.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2007-10-04]

Career highlights

*"Junior Club:" Papatoetoe Panthers
*"First Grade Debut:" Round 15, Warriors v Northern Eagles at Ericsson Stadium, June 1, 2001
*"Career Stats:" 83 career games to date scoring 8 tries

External links

* [http://www.warriors.co.nz/page/player_iafeta_paleaaesina.html Iafeta Paleaaesina Official Player Profile]
* [http://www.nrl.com/myclub/players.cfm?TeamID=6&PlayerID=607 Iafeta Paleaaesina NRL Player Profile]
* [http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/07/10/04/RUGBYL_World_Cup.html Warriors Prop Opts For Samoa]

References