Lome Fa'atau
Wing
Bio
Right wing Lome Fa'atau was the top try scorer in the 2006 Super 14, crossing the line ten times for the Hurricanes en route to the final against the Crusaders. Easily recognisable with his blistering speed and traditional tattooing (pe'a), the Samoan winger was one of the best finishers in the game.
Born and educated in Wellington, Fa'atau was a regular fixture on the flanks for the Hurricanes and Wellington Lions over several years, only taking up rugby seriously after he left secondary school. Previously he was a schoolboy basketball star. He made his first class debut for the Lions in 1999. The next year he joined Taranaki and became their leading try scorer that season. The following year he returned to Wellington where he remained until 2006.
Over six seasons of Super rugby he played for the Hurricanes in 2002 and 2003, was drafted to the Chiefs in 2004, and turned out again for the Hurricanes in 2005, 2006 and 2007, appearing in 56 Super Rugby games between both franchises. For the Hurricanes and Chiefs he played in four consecutive semi-finals from 2003-2006.
Fa'atau also had a successful career in international rugby for Manu Samoa and the Pacific Islands team, scoring 11 tries in 34 test matches between 2000-2007. He also played sevens rugby for Samoa between 1999-2002.
He subsequently signed a two-year deal with Scottish side Glasgow Warriors, before subsequently joining French third division outfit Nice.
In 2012 and 2013 Fa'atau was living in England's Northeast, studying at Northumbria University and working as a personal trainer.