Sione Mafileo


Sione Tulimaiau Mafileo is a New Zealand rugby union footballer who currently plays as a prop for in the ITM Cup and the in the international Super Rugby competition.

Early career

Mafileo attended Saint Kentigern College in Auckland and won the Auckland schools competition with them in 2012.

Senior career

Despite being named in North Harbour's squad for the 2013 ITM Cup, serious illness prevented him from making any appearances that year. He managed to make it onto the field the following season, but was merely a bit part player, playing 3 times. 2015 was when he really started to establish himself as Harbour's first choice in the number 3 jersey, he played 9 times that season, all of his appearances coming from the start. He continued to be a regular in North Harbour's Championship winning season in 2016, playing in all 12 of their games during the campaign and scoring his first ever provincial try as Harbour upset the more fancied and to win promotion to the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership for 2017.

Super Rugby

Despite only having 3 provincial appearances at the time, Mafileo was called up by the to provide front-row injury cover in the latter part of the 2015 Super Rugby season. He debuted in a New Zealand derby match against the and made one other appearance from the replacements bench before the campaign was out. The Blues, under new head-coach Tana Umaga retained his services for 2016 and he went on to play 6 times during the year, including his first 2 starts for the franchise. He was again named in the Blues squad for the 2017 season.

International

Mafileo was a New Zealand Schoolboys representative in 2011 and was a member of the New Zealand Under 20 which competed in the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship in France where he made 5 appearances.

Career Honours

North Harbour