After a distinguished New Zealand age grade career John Afoa hit top-honours in 2005 when selected in the All Blacks for the Philips Tri Nations. However he had to wait until the ‘Grand Slam’ tour to the United Kingdom and Ireland before taking the field in the black jersey.

Player Media:

After a distinguished New Zealand age grade career John Afoa hit top-honours in 2005 when selected in the All Blacks for the Philips Tri Nations. However he had to wait until the ‘Grand Slam’ tour to the United Kingdom and Ireland before taking the field in the black jersey.

Afoa started in the number 3 jersey in three out of the four matches for the unbeaten for the Junior All Blacks in the inaugural Pacific Nations competition in 2006. Afoa has again been selected for the side to play in the 2007 tournament.

A young man who works hard to develop and improve all facets of his game, Afoa looks to dominate his side of the scrum in, while taking every opportunity to show his impressive running and handling skills in open play.

A member of the New Zealand Under 21 World Cup-winning side in 2003, his outstanding performance at the age grade World Cup in England was acknowledged and he was included in the IRB’s Team of the Tournament along with three other New Zealanders.

Afoa first made a New Zealand national side when he was named in the Under 16 side in 1999. He also played for New Zealand Schools in 2000 and 2001.

Career Comments:

• Played every minute of the Blues’ 2006 Rebel Sport Super 14 season, the only forward to do so. Has played in 30 consecutive Super 14 games.
• Started in the first two matches on the Junior All Blacks tour to Australia in 2005, against the Queensland Reds and Australia A.
• Made his debut for Auckland aged 18 years and 10 months.

New Zealand Representative Teams:

New Zealand Under 16 in 1999
New Zealand Schools in 2000, 2001
New Zealand Under 19 in 2002, 2003
New Zealand Under 21 in 2003, 2004
Junior All Blacks in 2005, 2006
All Blacks in 2005, 2006, 2008-2009

Test match Record by Year:
(+) = substitute  (-) = replaced

(+) = substitute; (-) = replaced

2005
Nov 12 v Ireland at Dublin 45-7
Nov 26 v Scotland at Edinburgh 29-10

2006
Nov 6 v England at London 41-20 (+)

2008
7 June v Ireland at Wellington 21-11 (-)
12 July v South Africa at Dunedin 28-30 (-)
26 July v Australia at Sydney 19-34 (+)
2 Aug v Australia at Auckland 39-10 (+)
17 Aug v South Africa at Capetown 19-0 (+)
13 Sept v Australia at Brisbane 28-24 (+)
9 Nov v Scotland at Edinburgh 32-6
16 Nov v Ireland at Dublin 22-3 (+)
19 Nov v Munster at Limerick 18-16 (+)
23 Nov v Wales at Cardiff 29-9 (+)
30 Nov v England at London 32-6 (+)

2009
13 June v France at Dunedin 22-27 (+)
20 June v France at Wellington 14-10 (+)
27 June v Italy at Christchurch 27-6 (-)
2 Aug v South Africa at Durban 19-31 (+)
22 Aug v Australia at Sydney 19-18 (+)
12 Sept v South Africa at Hamilton 29-32 (+)
19 Sept v Australia at Wellington 33-6 (+)
31 Oct v Australia at Tokyo 32-19 (+)
15 Nov v Italy at Milan 20-6 (+)
22 Nov v England at London 19-6 (+)
6 Dec v Barbarians at London 18-25

2010
22 Aug v South Africa at Johannesburg 29-22 (+)