Austin Herd signed Lino Saunitoga for the 2020 Major League Rugby season. The 32-year-old back row is 6’2″ and 205 lbs.
Lino is from Savusavu, Fiji. He attended the University of South Pacific in Suva from 2011-2014 majoring in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography. Rugby and life’s demands impacted continuing at the university.
He played with Marist Rugby Club and provincial rugby with Lautoka Maroons. He performed well and then was named to the Fiji 7s training squad for the 2009-2010 HSBC World Sevens Series.
In 2016, Lino moved to Hawaii where his wife and children lived and joined the Kalihi Raiders. He was named the captain of the team and helped lead them to the Hawaiian State Championship. He also played for the Maui Sevens under coach Jack Breen. His teammates were Kina Malafu and Vili Toluta’u.
Austin Herd Comments
“I want to try to get everything right each day and learn as much as I can to help my teammates win the championship,” said Lino. “Being a part of the Herd family means a lot to me, especially knowing all the support I have from my family back home.”
“Lino came highly recommended from Sam Robinson of the Hawaiian championship-winning Kalihi Raiders,” said Andrew Suniula. “Sam has developed a handful of Olympians like Garrett Bender and Nate Augspurger, so I trust his recommendation on Lino and look forward to working on his development.”
Lino looks to make an impact in the loose forwards with his length and unique offload ability.
Welcome to the Herd, Lino Saunitoga! #jointheherd
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