George Pisi

George Pisi
South Africa vs Samoa 2011
Full nameTala'ave George Pisi
Date of birth (1986-06-29) 29 June 1986 (age 38)
Place of birthApia, Samoa
Height188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight103 kg (227 lb; 16 st 3 lb)
SchoolMassey High School
Notable relative(s)Ken Pisi (brother)
Tusi Pisi (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre, Fullback
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2005–2009 North Harbour 50 (45)
2006–2010 Blues 18 (0)
2010–2011 Taranaki 17 (20)
2011 Clermont 7 (15)
2011–2016 Northampton Saints 139 (145)
2018 Force 4 (0)
Correct as of 13 March 2020
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2006–2007 New Zealand U21 6 (5)
2010–2016 Samoa 21 (20)
Correct as of 13 March 2020

George Pisi (born 29 June 1986 in Apia, Samoa) is a rugby union player for Samoa who will leave his current club Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership at the conclusion of the 2016/17 season.[1]

Pisi was born in Samoa but moved to Auckland in New Zealand aged 3 with his family.[2] He went to West Harbour Primary School and Massey High School where captained their rugby team,[3] and represented New Zealand Schools.

Pisi made his provincial debut playing for North Harbour in 2005 alongside his elder brother Tusi Pisi. He made 50 appearances for North Harbour before transferring to Taranaki for the 2010 ITM Cup. He made 18 appearances for the Blues between 2006 and 2010, but didn't record a try and never fully established himself as a starter.

He moved to France in February 2011 as a medical joker for Gavin Williams,[4] and then moved on to sign for Northampton for the 2011/12 season, and was named in the Aviva Premiership Dream Team during his first season at the club.[5] In 2014 Pisi started and scored a try as Northampton beat Saracens to win the Premiership.[6]

He played for New Zealand at U19 and U21 level, but made his debut for Samoa in June 2010 in the Pacific Nations Cup, and went on to play in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.[7]

Both his brothers, Tusi Pisi and Ken Pisi, also are professional rugby players and went to Massey High School and played for North Harbour and in 2012 Ken joined George at Northampton.[8]

It was announced on Monday, May 8, 2017 that Pisi would leave Northampton Saints at the conclusion of the 2016/17 season.[9]

  1. ^ "Northampton Saints confirms departing players". Northampton Saints. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Manu Samoa George Pisi flourishing now he has found true home".
  3. ^ "Big Time In North Harbour: Massey High School". Archived from the original on 26 February 2014.
  4. ^ "Clermont sign Blues' Pisi".
  5. ^ "Manoa, Pisi named in ESPN Dream Team". Archived from the original on 29 July 2014.
  6. ^ "Premiership final: Saracens 20-24 Northampton Saints". 31 May 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2019 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  7. ^ "Sport: Manu Samoa stick with winning team to open Rugby World Cup". RNZ. 13 September 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Samoa international Ken Pisi joins Northampton Saints". ITVX. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  9. ^ "Northampton Saints confirms departing players". Northampton Saints. Retrieved 28 November 2021.