Filipo Levi

Matai title

Mulitalo from the village of Lano Savaii

Career

International

Levi was part of the Samoa squad at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but a severe eye socket injury forced him out of the tournament. Levi was a member of the Samoa squad at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. In 2008 Levi took over the Manu Samoa captaincy after long time captain Semo Sititi focused on playing and all but retired from International duties. In 2011 Levi again Captained Manu Samoa against Ikale Tahi Tonga in Fiji before playing the Wallabies Australian Rugby team where Manu Samoa were victorious in Sydney.

New Zealand

Levi grew up in Glen Innes Auckland before moving to Dunedin. He attended Logan Park High School before joining Otago Boys' High School where they won the national 1st XV competition in 1998 playing flanker alongside future All Black Captain Richie McCaw.

Levi was then selected for the New Zealand Colts that won the 2000 U21 World Cup in New Zealand playing alongside the likes of Carl Hayman, Kevin Mealamu, Mils Muliaina, Seilala Mapusua, Aaron Mauger, Gavin Williams, Clarke Dermody, Ben Blair, Rodney Sooialo, Jerry Collins and Richie McCaw

In 2002 Levi was standby for the All Blacks Tri Nations team. An injury in the All Blacks gave an opportunity for Levi to play the Springboks in Wellington. Levi was injured during a Dunedin club rugby game which made him ineligible for his All Blacks test.

Levi played for Alhambra and Otago before signing up for Super 12 side the Highlanders and went on to become one of their most capped players. After becoming capped by the Samoa he became ineligible for the All Blacks meaning he could not play in the Super 14, so he took up a contract in Japan.

UK

In February 2009 the Ospreys signed him from Japanese side Ricoh Black Rams. At the end of the 2008-09 Magners League he signed for Premiership side Newcastle Falcons as primarily a back row player. In November 2011 Nottingham signed him from Newcastle Falcons until the end of the 2011-12 RFU Championship.