Weight 135 kg Playing position Name Michael Alaalatoa Date joined 2014 | Role Rugby Player Years Team Height 1.89 m | |
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Relatives Vili Alaalatoa (father)Allan Alaalatoa (brother) | ||
The Freshman - Michael Alaalatoa
Michael Alaalatoa (born 28 August 1991) is an Australian Rugby Union player who currently plays as a prop for the Crusaders in the international Super Rugby competition.
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Early life
Born into a rugby household where father Vili was a member of the Samoa squad for the 1991 Rugby World Cup, Alaalatoa was quickly introduced into the sporting world and played rugby, volleyball and cricket in his childhood.
Career
Rugby was where he excelled and he played three years in the Newington College First XV. He made his way through the ranks in the New South Wales Shute Shield, initially with Southern Districts and later West Harbour. Some impressive performances at that level saw him become a regular member of the Waratahs wider training squad in 2014.
An injury to regular front-rower Paddy Ryan saw Alaalatoa called up to the Waratahs first team for the final round of league matches in the 2014 Super Rugby season. He made his debut as a second-half replacement in the Waratahs 34-3 victory over the Reds in Brisbane.
Leading up to the 2015 ITM Cup Alaalatoa moved to New Zealand and signed to play for Manawatu where he had a solid season that earned him a 2016 super rugby contract with the Crusaders
International
Alaalatoa was a member of the Samoa Under 20 side that competed in the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship.