Male Sa'u

Male Sa'u
Birth nameMale Sa'u
Date of birth (1987-10-13) 13 October 1987 (age 37)
Place of birthAuckland, New Zealand
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight98 kg (15 st 6 lb; 216 lb)
SchoolTangaroa College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre, Wing
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Patumahoe ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2006–2007 Counties Manukau 0 (0)
2010–2018 Yamaha Júbilo 118 (310)
2018– Toyota Verblitz 29 (30)
Correct as of 29 October 2022
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014 Rebels 8 (0)
2016 Blues 11 (0)
Correct as of 20 July 2016
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2006 New Zealand U19
2007 New Zealand U21
2013–2016 Japan 27 (40)
Correct as of 21 February 2021

Male Sa'u (born 13 October 1987) is a Japanese professional rugby union footballer of Samoan descent. Sa'u can play both Centre and Fly-half. After Super Rugby stints with the Melbourne Rebels and the Blues, Sa'u has returned to the Top League for the 2016-2017 season with Yamaha Júbilo.

Playing career

Sa'u was educated at Tangaroa College and was selected for Counties Manukau Steelers for the inaugural Air New Zealand Cup (now the Mitre 10 Cup) in 2006. Sa'u played his club rugby for the Patumahoe club.[1] He was again selected for the 2007 season, where he played nine out of the ten matches.[2] He played for New Zealand at under-19s level,[3] and at under-20s level. He was also named in the under-21s Trial Squad in 2007.[4]

He joined Japanese side Yamaha Júbilo in the Top League competition for the 2008–09 season, and played twelve time and scored 35 times in his debut season. On his departure in the 2013–14 season, he had scored 115 points over 46 matches. His form over the seasons, earned him a place in Eddie Jones Japanese 42-man squad for the 2013 Asian Five Nations. He made his debut against the Philippines on 20 April 2013.

In March 2014, Male Sa'u joined the Melbourne Rebels in the Super Rugby competition.[5][6][7]

References

  1. ^ Counties Manukau Steelers profile photos 2006
  2. ^ Steelers Squad Announced
  3. ^ NZ U19 squad named
  4. ^ Six Counties Manukau Players named in u21 Trial Squad
  5. ^ "Rebels sign second Japanese International" (Press release). Melbourne Rebels. 1 March 2014. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  6. ^ "Waratahs too strong in Sydney" (Press release). Melbourne Rebels. 21 March 2014. Archived from the original on 3 April 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
  7. ^ "Rebels turn to Japanese for Tahs clash". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax. AAP. 20 March 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2014.