Joe Mano

Joe Mano
Full nameJoseph Saitia Mano
Date of birth (1995-07-02) July 2, 1995 (age 29)
Place of birthHawaii, U.S.
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight200 lb (91 kg)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021– Utah Warriors ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2023– United States 2 (20)

Joseph Saitia Mano (born July 2, 1995) is a professional rugby union player from American Samoa.[1]

Early life

Born in Hawaii, Mano was named after his elder brother, who died of cancer shortly after Mano's birth.[2] He was brought up in the village of Lauliʻi in American Samoa and attended Fa’asaō Marist High School.[3]

Rugby career

Mano, a winger, represented American Samoa in rugby sevens qualifying matches for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.[4] He has played Major League Rugby for the Utah Warriors since 2021. His 14 tries for Utah in the 2023 season was matched only by New England's Paula Balekana.[5] In 2023, Mano scored a hat-trick on debut for the United States against Brazil in Villajoyosa, Spain, becoming the first Eagles debutant to achieve the feat in the professional era.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ Walker, Sean (March 5, 2023). "Mano maneuvers Utah Warriors past Chicago for 2nd straight win". KSL.
  2. ^ a b ""It feels amazing" – Joe Mano on his remarkable rise to test rugby". World Rugby. November 24, 2023.
  3. ^ "Utah Warriors Joe Mano 2023 Profile". DJ Coil Rugby. October 27, 2022.
  4. ^ "Utah signs Selects standout Joseph Mano". Americas Rugby News. February 10, 2021.
  5. ^ "Three Utah Warriors Earn Spots On All-MLR Teams For 2023 Season". KSL Sports. July 18, 2023.