{{Short description|Samoan rugby union player}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = Steve Fualau | image = | fullname = Steve Fualau | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|08|03|df=y}} | birth_place = Samoa | height = {{convert|1.89|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|115|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}} | nickname = | occupation = | school = | university = | relatives = | position = Hooker | currentclub = {{Rut|Rebels}} | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = 2007–11 | clubs1 = {{Rut|Canterbury}} | apps1 = 27 | points1 = 20 | years2 = 2012 | clubs2 = {{Rut|Auckland}} | apps2 = 0 | points2 = 0 | years3 = 2014 | clubs3 = {{Rut|Rebels}} | apps3 = 3 | points3 = 0 | years4 = 2014- | clubs4 = Béziers | apps4 = 53 | points4 = 15 | amatyears1 = 2013 | amatteam1 = Southern Districts | amatapps1 = 17 | amatpoints1 = 10 | repyears1 = | repteam1 = | repcaps1 = | reppoints1 = | clubupdate = 4 June 2014 | repupdate = }}
'''Steve Fualau''' (born 3 August 1984) is a Samoan rugby union player who currently plays as a hooker for the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby.<ref name="Melbourne Rebels ready to confront physical Cheetahs pack and star back Willie le Roux">{{cite web | url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/rugby/melbourne-rebels-ready-to-confront-physical-cheetahs-pack-and-star-back-willie-le-roux/story-fnibc6qy-1226838411226 | title=Melbourne Rebels ready to confront physical Cheetahs pack and star back Willie le Roux | publisher=Herald Sun | date = 26 February 2014 | accessdate=2 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="Steve Fualau itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics">{{cite web | url=http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_10004.html | title=Steve Fualau Player Statistics | publisher=itsrugby | accessdate=2 March 2014}}</ref>
==Career==
Fualau has had something of a journeyman career, starting out in New Zealand's South Island with {{Rut|Canterbury}} where he earned 27 caps over the course of 4 years and was also part of the {{Rut|Crusaders}} wider training group in 2008. He shifted north to join {{Rut|Auckland}} ahead of the 2012 ITM Cup, however his stay was not a happy one and he left without making any senior appearances.<ref name="Steve Fualau Auckland Player Profile">{{cite web | url=http://www.aucklandrugby.co.nz/players/0-Steve-Fualau.aspx | title=Steve Fualau Auckland Player Profile | publisher=Auckland Rugby | accessdate=2 March 2014}}</ref> A shift across the Tasman followed in 2013 and he played Club Rugby for Southern Districts in the New South Wales Shute Shield.<ref name="Steve Fualau itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics"/>
Fualau was not initially named in either the {{Rut|Rebels}} regular squad or extended playing squad for the 2014 Super Rugby season. He was however brought in to little fanfare as an experienced hand to help out the Melbourne franchise's other hookers, Pat Leafa, Shota Horie and Tom Sexton who between them boasted only 7 super rugby caps prior to the start of the season. Fualau made his super rugby debut at the age of 29 as a substitute in the Rebels opening game of the season against the {{Rut|Cheetahs}} on 28 February 2014. He replaced Pat Leafa in the 74th minute as his side recorded a 35-14 victory.<ref name="Rebels 35-14 Toyota Cheetahs">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=113774 | homeid=16284 | awayid=16144 | leagueid=1574 | hometeam=Rebels | homescore=35 | awayscore=14 | awayteam=Toyota Cheetahs | matchdate=28 February 2014 | date=15 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="Melbourne Rebels name debutant Sean McMahon at flanker ahead of Super Rugby clash with Cheetahs">{{cite web | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-27/teenager-mcmahon-for-rebels-debut/5287482 | title=Melbourne Rebels name debutant Sean McMahon at flanker ahead of Super Rugby clash with Cheetahs | publisher=ABC.net | date = 27 February 2014 | accessdate=2 March 2014}}</ref>
==International== Fualau was a member of the Manu Samoa side which won the 2012 IRB Pacific Nations Cup.<ref name="Steve Fualau Auckland Player Profile"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fualau, Steve}} Category:1984 births Category:Living people Category:Samoan rugby union players Category:21st-century Samoan sportsmen Category:Samoa international rugby union players Category:Rugby union hookers Category:Canterbury rugby union players Category:Auckland rugby union players Category:Melbourne Rebels players Category:Samoan expatriate rugby union players in Australia Category:Samoan expatriate rugby union players in France Category:AS Béziers Hérault players