John Schwalger


John Schwalger is a former New Zealand national [rugby union team|New Zealand] rugby union player who played at the prop position.

Early life

Schwalger moved to New Zealand after being born in Apia. He is the nephew of Samoa international Mahonri Schwalger.

Career

His representative career started with the New Zealand Schoolboys team, before being included in New Zealand's Under 21 team in 2004. He won the Under 21 [Rugby World Championship] with that team in 2004.

Hurricanes and Wellington

In 2005 he was a member of the Hurricanes Super 12 wider training group. He debuted for Wellington [Rugby Football Union|Wellington] in the 2005 against the 2005 [British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand|2005 touring] British & Irish Lions, and played for them in that year's National Provincial Championship. He was selected for the Hurricanes squad for the 2006 Super 14 and eventually forced his way into the starting line-up.

Junior All Blacks

Following his Super 14 form in 2006 he was selected for the Junior All Blacks, and played for the team as they won the 2006 IRB Pacific 5 Nations. After another successful 2006 [Air New Zealand Cup] — where he propped both sides of the scrum, he returned to the Hurricanes for the 2007 Super 14.

All Blacks

Following the 2007 Super 14 he was selected in the All Blacks training squad, and was one of only two non-capped players in the squad. His inclusion was the biggest surprise of the squad – as he was picked ahead of capped props Clarke Dermody and John Afoa. Ultimately, he was the final cut from the 2007 Rugby World Cup squad, as the previously injured Greg Somerville was declared fit to play and took up the final place in the squad.

Agen

After the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Schwalger agreed to sign a deal with French rugby club SU Agen.

Return to Hurricanes and Wellington

In May 2013, he signed a two-year deal to rejoin for the 2013 ITM Cup and also played for the since the 2013 [Super Rugby season].