Meet The All Blacks

RODNEY SO’OIALO

Position: No 8

Age: 23

Place of birth: Moto’otua, Samoa

Test debut: November 23, 2002 v Wales

Tests: 0

Points: 0

Height: 6′ 2′

Weight: 16st 9lb

The hard-hitting Wellington backrower made a huge impression in this year’s Super 12 and NPC competitions, and his selection for this tour raised few eyebrows in New Zealand.

Renowned as much for his dreadlocks as his power running and crunching defence, So’oialo plays rugby at only one speed – 100 miles an hour.

So’oialo’s older brother Stephen plays scrum-half for Samoa, and Rodney began his rugby career in the backs before moving to loose forward. He lists his favourite book as ‘Old Mother Hubbard’, because he enjoys reading it to seven-month-old daughter Tiana.

Wales v New Zealand classics