John Afoa

Ioane Fitu "John" Afoa (born 16 September 1983) is a former professional rugby union player from New Zealand. He played prop for Auckland, the Blues, Ulster, Gloucester, Bristol Bears, Vannes, the Crusaders and Bay of Plenty, and won 38 caps for the All-Blacks.

Personal life Afoa was a student at Auckland's Papakura High School, then St. Kentigern College, where he played first XV rugby alongside fellow All Blacks Joe Rokocoko and Jerome Kaino.

Rugby career Afoa played provincial rugby for Auckland between 2002 and 2011. He played for the Blues in Super Rugby, making his debut in 2004 against the Brumbies. He made 101 appearances with the team between 2004 and 2011.

He then moved to Europe, playing for Ulster in the Pro12 from 2011 until 2014, before joining Gloucester in the English Premiership on a four-year contract worth £400,000 per season. This made him one of the highest-paid players in the Premiership and the third highest-paid player in European rugby. He left Gloucester to join local rivals Bristol Bears ahead of the 2018–19 season. After four seasons with the Bears, he moved to France to join Pro D2 side Vannes from the 2022–23 season.

In May 2023, Afoa returned to New Zealand, joining the Crusaders under Scott Robertson to alleviate the team's front row injury crisis. He debuted at tighthead prop for the Crusaders match against the Waratahs, and became the oldest ever Super Rugby player at the age of 39 years and 233 days. He also played provincial rugby for Bay of Plenty. He retired in October 2023.

International career Afoa represented New Zealand at a number of age-grade levels. He played for the New Zealand U16 team in 1999, New Zealand Schools in 2000-2001, New Zealand under-19 in 2002-2003, and the New Zealand under-21 side that won the Under 21 Rugby World Championship in 2003 and 2004.

After retiring from playing in 2023, he took up the position of general manager at Auckland University Rugby Club.