George Naoupu

George Naoupu (born 4 September 1983) is a former professional rugby union player from New Zealand. He played at number 8, as a flanker or in the second row.

Naoupu's sister, Julianna Naoupu, is a Samoan netball international.

Club career Career in New Zealand Naoupu's professional career began in 2004 with Canterbury, where he played for two seasons. He then joined Tasman Makos for a season before moving to Hawke's Bay. He made the breakthrough to Super Rugby in 2008 with the Highlanders in his second season at Hawkes Bay.

Move to Ireland Naoupu left Highlanders in 2009, moving to Irish provincial side Connacht. Joining ahead of the 2009–10 season, Naoupu made his debut for the side in a 2009–10 European Challenge Cup game with Worcester Warriors on 12 December 2009. He made his league debut in the province's 2009–10 Celtic League game against Irish rivals Munster on 26 December that year, starting the game and playing the full 80 minutes. Naoupu played another seven league games for the side, starting in all of them and scoring a try. In Europe, Naoupu played six of Connacht's eight games as they reached the last four, and scored two tries against Olympus Madrid.

Naoupu departed Connacht at the end of his first season. He moved to Japan, having agreed a deal with Top League side Kobelco Steelers.

Japanese rugby Naoupu joined Japanese side Kobelco Steelers for the 2010–11 season. During his time at the club, the team finished fifth in the 2010–11 Top League, missing out on the title play-offs by one position, and were level on points with Suntory Sungoliath who came fourth.

Though the Steelers failed to make their league's title play-offs, they did reach the 48th All Japan Rugby Football Championship through a wild card play-off. The Steelers reached the semi-finals, but were narrowly beaten 37–33 by Suntory, who went on to win the final.

Return to Connacht Naoupu (No. 8) playing against Toulouse in the 2011–12 Heineken Cup Following one season in Japan, Naoupu returned to play for Connacht in the 2011–12 season. Naoupu made his first appearance at the top level of European rugby on 11 November 2011, when he started against Harlequins in Connacht's opening 2011–12 Heineken Cup game. Naoupu also started in all five other games the province played in the competition, including Connacht's first ever win at that level, in the return game with Harlequins on 20 January 2012.

In the following season, Naoupu was again vying with McKeon for the starting position on the team. Naoupu started the first two games of the 2013–14 Pro12 against Zebre and Cardiff Blues, and was used as a replacement in the next two.

International Naoupu represented New Zealand at both schools and under 19 level. Naoupu has also played for his country in rugby sevens, meaning he cannot qualify for through residency as he is committed to New Zealand under IRB regulations.