Saia Faingaa
Hooker
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Profile
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Height:
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187cm
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Weight:
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106kg
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Date Of Birth:
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02/02/1987
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Place of Birth:
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Queanbeyan, NSW
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Rugby Career
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Senior Club:
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Souths
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Stats
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Provincial Rugby Caps:
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24
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Provincial Rugby Points:
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10 (2t)
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Provincial Rugby Debut:
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Feb 2009 v Bulls, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (2006 v Stormers, Cape Town for Brumbies)
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Super Rugby Caps:
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51 (24 Reds, 27 Brumbies)
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Super Rugby Points:
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10 (2t)
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Super Rugby Debut:
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Feb 2009 v Bulls, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria (2006 v Stormers, Cape Town for Brumbies)
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Test Rugby Caps:
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11
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Test Rugby Debut:
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June 2010 v Fiji, Canberra
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Like his twin brother Anthony, Saia grew up playing rugby league for the Queanbeyan Kangaroos before crossing codes at Canberra’s prestigious rugby nursery, St Edmund’s College.
A member of the Brumbies Academy since the age of 14, Saia represented the Australian Schools in 2003 and 2004, before captaining the Australian Under 19’s to a World Championship in Dubai in 2006. That year his Super 14 debut was fast-tracked due to injuries in the Brumbies squad and he was rushed into the Brumbies’ side in Cape Town where he made his Super 14 debut against the Stormers.
The enthusiastic then 20 year old hooker represented the Brumbies in 11 matches in 2007, proving up to playing Investec Super 14 rugby despite his relatively young age.
He joined the Reds for the 2009 season and won 12 caps to add to his 27 for the Brumbies.
However, like brother Anthony, 2010 was a breakout year for Saia, who cemented his place as the Reds first-choice hooker with his aggression in defence and at the breakdown matched by some hugely improved efforts at set-piece.
Saia made his 50th Super Rugby appearance in 2010 against the Brumbies in Canberra, a memorable night for Saia and Anthony as they went head to head with younger brother Colby Faingaa for the first time.
A standout 2010 season earned Saia his Wallabies debut against Fiji. He and Anthony played a Test together for the first time in Melbourne against the All Blacks and started together for the first time against the All Blacks a week later in Christchurch.
Saia has completed a Diploma of Business and is currently studying real estate at the Real Estate Institute of Queensland. Away from rugby Saia is interested in the building industry.