New Zealand born Samoan international Sama Malolo played in Major League Rugby between 2020-2021, and again in 2023. He represented the Utah Warriors (2021-2022), and the San Diego Legion (2023)

Internationally, Malolo is test-capped for Samoa, and was a stand out for his country at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Malolo played his debut MLR season with the Utah Warriors in 2020, appearing in 2 games (1 start) during the COVID-shortened season before heading to Australia to play with the Southern Districts in the Shute Shield competition. He returned for the Warriors in the 2021 MLR season, earning 10 more appearances (8 starts) and scoring an impressive 11 tries (T-2nd in MLR that season). Malolo did not play in the 2022 season, instead returning to Australia as a member of the Waratahs extended squad, and again represented the Southern Districts.

Malolo returned stateside ahead of the 2023 MLR season, as the San Diego Legion announced his signing in November 2022. He earned another 16 appearances for the Legion (13 starts) and scored 4 tries during the Legion’s record-breaking season that saw Malolo pick up 3 Team of the Week selections as well as a spot in the All-MLR 2nd XV. The Legion advance all the way to the Championship Final after a league-best 15-1 regular season. They fell 24-25 to the New England Free Jacks in Chicago. Following an impressive 2023 MLR campaign, in which he earned 16 appearances and racked up almost 1000m gained as a hooker, Malolo earned a contract with Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby.

Achievements:

• All-MLR 2nd XV Selection – 2023
• MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Round 12
• MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Round 8
• MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Round 1
• T-2nd in MLR Try Scoring: 2021 (11)
• MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Conference Finals
• MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Round 18