Daniel Azor Leo (born 2 October 1982) is a rugby union player. Born in New Zealand to Samoan parents, he won 39 caps for between 2005 and 2014. He can play in the second row or as a back row forward.

Early life

Leo was born in Palmerston North, New Zealand and moved to Australia when he was 18. He played for Sunnybank in the Queensland Competition, as well as the Queensland Reds.

Daniel Leo (rugby union)

Club career

After making his debut for Samoa in 2005, he was not eligible to play for an Australian Super 12 franchise, so moved to London Wasps. He was a replacement as Wasps won the 2007 Heineken Cup Final.

Daniel Leo (rugby union)

He later had spells with Bordeaux Begles and USA Perpignan in the Top 14, and London Irish in the Aviva Premiership.

Daniel Leo (rugby union)

On 21 May 2015, Leo signed for London Welsh for the 2015-16 RFU Championship season. He moved to London Cornish for 2016-17 as Player/Coach in London 2 South-West, where he helped the club to the title in an unbeaten season. In 2017-18 he moved to Bishops Stortford RFC in National League 1, before returning to London Cornish for the 2018-19 season.

International career

Leo made his international debut for Samoa at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney against Australia in June 2005. He was included in the Pacific Islanders squad that toured Europe in late 2006. He was also selected in the Samoa squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup and the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He went on to represent Samoa 39 times, and retired from international rugby on 28 May 2015, just 4 months before the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

References

External links

London Welsh Profile

1982 births

Samoan rugby union players

Living people

New Zealand sportspeople of Samoan descent

Wasps RFC players

Union Bordeaux Bègles players

USA Perpignan players

London Irish players

London Welsh RFC players

Samoa international rugby union players

Pacific Islanders rugby union players

Samoan expatriate rugby union players

Expatriate rugby union players in England

Expatriate rugby union players in France

Expatriate rugby union players in Australia

Samoan expatriate sportspeople in England

Samoan expatriate sportspeople in France

Samoan expatriate sportspeople in Australia

Rugby union players from Palmerston North

People educated at Auckland Grammar School

Rugby union locks