Austin Herd Signs Daniel Faleafa

Austin Herd has signed Tongan international Daniel Faleafa for the 2020 Major League Rugby season. The 30-year-old (31 in Feb.) blindside flanker and an occasional lock is 6’5″ and 254 lbs.

Daniel grew up in Auckland, New Zealand, where he attended Mt. Roskill Grammar School and then Mount Albert Grammar School, in Auckland. In 2007, he played for the New Zealand National Schoolboy Rugby Union team, then joined the Auckland Rugby Academy and Auckland where he made two appearances in the ITM Cup after a brief appearance with Northland on loan in 2009. From 2010-2012 he played with Northland in the ITM Cup.

In 2013 he moved to Australia to play in the Sydney Shute competion with Southern Districts in 2013 and with Randwick in 2014. He then traveled to France to join Sporting Club Albigeois in the French Pro D2 from 2014-2017. He then transferred to Union Sportive Colomiers, another team in the French Pro D2, playing with the team from 2017-2019.

During 2019, he played in the RFU Championship with Coventry and will join the Austin Herd for the 2020 season after he finishes playing in the 2019Rugby World Cup.

National Team

Daniel was a key member of the New Zealand National U20’s team that won the 2009 IRB Junior World Cup 44-28 over England.

In 2013 he made his test debut for Tonga against the USA in Carson, California on June 14, 2013 and is currently playing for Tonga at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. His last his 23 tests was aginst England at Sapporo, September 22, 2019. He still can play in three more matches at the RWC for the Ikale Tahi.

Austin Herd Comments

“Daniel is a great leader that will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Austin Herd.” quoted Todd Clever, Director of Rugby, Austin Herd. “ We wish Daniel all the best for the remainder of the Rugby World Cup tournament”

Welcome to the herd, Daniel Faleafa! #jointheherd