James So'oialo

{{Short description|New Zealand-born Samoan rugby union player}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}

{{Use New Zealand English|date=October 2019}}

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = James So'oialo

| image = ST vs CO 2012 5102.JPG

| caption =James So'oialo

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1989|3|2}}

| birth_place = Wellington, New Zealand

| height = 1.85 m

| weight = {{convert|95|kg|st lb}}

| school =

| university =

| relatives = Steven So'oialo (brother)
Rodney So'oialo (brother)

| ru_currentposition =

| ru_currentteam =

| ru_position = Fly-half
Fullback

| ru_nationalyears = 2011–

| ru_nationalteam = Samoa

| ru_amateurclubs =

| ru_clubyears = 2011–12
2012–13
2013
2014–15
2016–

| ru_proclubs = Castres
Pays d'Aix
Connacht
{{Rut|Wellington}}
{{Rut|Buller}}

| ru_clubpoints = (0)
(58)
(0)
(0)

| ru_clubcaps = 6
8
2
2
2

| nickname =

| ru_amateuryears =

| ru_amupdate =

| ru_clubupdate = 9 September 2017

| ru_nationalcaps = 7

| ru_nationalpoints = (78)

| ru_ntupdate = 23 June 2013

| spouse =

}}

James So'oialo (born 2 March 1989) is a Samoan rugby union player. He currently plays as a fly-half for Horowhenua Kapiti in the Heartland Championship.{{Cite news|url=http://bullerrugby.co.nz/wp2/player/james-sooialo/|title=James So'oialo|work=Buller Rugby Union|access-date=9 September 2017}} He made his international debut in 2011 when he was part of the Samoan team at the 2011 Rugby World Cup where he played in one match.{{cite web|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/player/142928.html|title=Profile|work=ESPN|accessdate=26 April 2012 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/150236.html|title=Samoa take Islander bragging rights|date=25 September 2011|work=ESPN|accessdate=26 April 2012 }} He signed for Irish provincial rugby team Connacht for the 2013/2014 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.connachtrugby.ie/2013052083320/sooialo-completes-squad-for-201314 |title=So'oialo completes squad for 2013/14 | Connacht Rugby Website |accessdate=2014-06-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130615171223/http://www.connachtrugby.ie/2013052083320/sooialo-completes-squad-for-201314 |archive-date=2013-06-15 }} On 26 October, after only having arrived in late September, Connacht released So'oialo from his contract on 'compassionate grounds', and he returned to New Zealand.{{cite news| url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/james-sooailo-released-by-connacht-on-compassionate-grounds-29702391.html | work=Irish Independent | title=James So'oailo released by Connacht on compassionate grounds | date=26 October 2013}} He was included in the Melbourne Rising squad for the NRC 2019 season as a fly half.