John Afoa

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = John Afoa

| image = John Afoa 2011.jpg

| image_size = 175

| caption = Afoa during the New Zealand Christchurch visit, September 2011

| fullname = Ioane Fitu Afoa

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|10|16|df=y}}

| birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand

| height = {{convert|183|cm|ftin|0|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|121|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}

| school = St. Kentigern College

| university =

| relatives =

| occupation =

| spouse =

| position = Prop

| currentclub = Crusaders

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 2002–2010

| clubs1 = Auckland

| apps1 = 70

| points1 = 5

| years2 = 2004–2011

| clubs2 = Blues

| apps2 = 101

| points2 = 15

| years3 = 2011–2014

| clubs3 = Ulster

| apps3 = 58

| points3 = 15

| years4 = 2014–2018

| clubs4 = Gloucester

| apps4 = 105

| points4 = 35

| years5 = 2018–2022

| clubs5 = Bristol Bears

| apps5 = 89

| points5 = 5

| years6 = 2022–

| clubs6 = Vannes

| apps6 = 14

| points6 =

| years7 = 2023–

| clubs7 = Crusaders

| apps7 = 2

| points7 =

| years8 = 2023–

| clubs8 = Bay of Plenty

| apps8 = 0

| points8 =

| repyears1 = 2003–2004

| repteam1 = New Zealand U21

| repcaps1 = 9

| reppoints1 = 5

| repyears2 = 2005–2011

| repteam2 = New Zealand

| repcaps2 = 38

| reppoints2 = 5

| repyears3 = 2005–2007

| repteam3 = Junior All Blacks

| repcaps3 = 9

| reppoints3 = 5

| clubupdate = 23 September 2021

| repupdate = 23 September 2021

}}

Ioane Fitu "John" Afoa (born 16 September 1983) is a New Zealand professional rugby union player. His position of choice is at prop. Afoa currently plays for the Crusaders in Super Rugby.

Personal life

Afoa was a student at Auckland's Papakura High School, then St. Kentigern College, where he played first XV rugby alongside fellow All Blacks Joe Rokocoko and Jerome Kaino.{{cite book|last1=Palenski|first1=Ron|title=The All Blackography: The indispensable guide to every All Black.|date=2014|publisher=Upstart Press|location=Auckland, New Zealand|isbn=978-1-927262-16-0|page=12}}

Domestic career

= New Zealand =

== Auckland ==

Afoa played for Auckland between 2002 and 2011.

== Blues ==

Afoa played for the Blues and made his debut in 2004 against the Brumbies. He made 101 appearances with the team between 2004 and 2011.

= Europe =

== Ulster ==

Afoa played for Ulster in the Pro12 from 2011 until 2014.

== Gloucester Rugby ==

On 6 December 2013, Afoa officially joined Gloucester Rugby in the English Aviva Premiership on a four-year contract worth £400,000 per season. This made him one of the highest-paid players in the Premiership and the third highest-paid player in European rugby.{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/premiership-2013-14/rugby/story/208115.html|publisher=ESPN scrum|title=All-Black tight-head prop John Afoa joins Gloucester|date=6 December 2013}}{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/premiership-2013-14/rugby/story/208457.html|publisher=ESPN scrum|title=John Afoa's lucrative deal|date=9 December 2013}}

==Bristol Bears==

On 20 January 2018, it was confirmed that Afoa would leave Gloucester to join local rivals Bristol ahead of the 2018–19 season.{{cite news|url=http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/gloucester-rugby-stars-move-bristol-1093710|publisher=Gloucestershire Live|title=Gloucester Rugby star's move to Bristol confirmed|date=20 January 2018|access-date=4 February 2018}}

==Vannes==

On 2 May 2022, it was confirmed that Afoa would leave Bristol after four seasons to travel to France to join Pro D2 side Vannes from the 2022–23 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.planetrugby.com/john-afoa-veteran-prop-leaves-bristol-bears-for-french-pro-d2-side-rc-vannes/|work=Planet Rugby|title=John Afoa: Veteran prop leaves Bristol Bears for French Pro D2 side RC Vannes|date=2 May 2022|access-date=3 May 2022}}

==Crusaders==

On the 27 May 2023, Afoa answered a call from Crusaders coach Scott Robertson due to the Crusaders mounting injury crisis for front row forwards. Afoa flew from back from France, where he had been playing, and debuted as the tight head prop for the Crusaders match against the Waratahs. Afoa became the oldest ever super rugby player at the age of 39 years and 233 days.

International career

Afoa has moved through a number of international representative sides. In 1999, Afoa made the New Zealand U16 team, the youngest national representative team. Through 2000 and 2001, Afoa had played in the more senior New Zealand Schools' side. Moving steadily through the age grades, he was a member of the New Zealand under-19 teams of 2002 and 2003.

In both 2003 and 2004, Afoa was part of the New Zealand Under 21 Rugby World Championship team. The New Zealanders won the tournament both years. In 2003 Afoa was one of four kiwis named in the IRB's team of the tournament.

In 2005 Afoa was selected for the All Blacks Tri-nations squad. Despite this, he never took the field in that competition and didn't earn his first test cap until the end-of-year tour. In November 2005, Afoa finally became the All Black number 1062 when he started against Ireland at Lansdowne Road.

In 2010, Afoa was experimented to be used at hooker. The same year against Wales, Afoa scored his first test try showing some great running for a prop with a 30-metre dash to the try line.

Afoa's test career ended after the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He played 36 tests, 30 as a substitute.

Coaching career

Afoa was appointed scrum coach at Bristol Bears from the 2021–22 season. He would also continue his playing duties.{{Cite web|title=Afoa appointed Scrum Coach alongside playing duties|url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/afoa-appointed-scrum-coach-alongside-playing-duties/|access-date=2021-04-19|website=Bristol Bears|date=19 April 2021 |language=en}}