The Utah Warriors added Sosaia Hynie Leaaetoa or Haini, as he prefers to be called, to the team for 2020. He plays for the Rugby Utah Selects and the 34-year old flanker is 5’11” and 220 lbs.
Haini was born in California and raised in Mu’a, Tonga until he was 16. He attended Tonga College, Beulah College, and St. Andrew High School and then Jefferson High School when he moved to Portland, Oregon. While at Jefferson, he won the State High School Championship for the Eastside Monkeys in 2004. He also played football in high school.
He went on a service mission with the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints to Cherry Hill, New Jersey from 2004-2006. Following his return, he attended LDS Business College in 2007-2008, and then Brigham Youn University from 2008-2013. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, played rugby for 4 years and were D1A National Champions in 2009 and in 2012.
He has played club rugby for the Provo Steelers, Liahona Old Boys, Utah Misfits Brothers, Salt lake City Spartans, and the Bengals.
