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Joe Galuvao (born 8 July 1978) is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s in the NRL. A Samoa and New Zealand international second row forward, he played for the Auckland Warriors, Parramatta Eels, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Penrith Panthers (with whom he won the 2003 NRL Premiership) and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles (with whom he won the 2011 NRL Premiership).
Galuvao was born in Auckland, New Zealand.
After starting his playing career in the late 1990s with the Auckland Warriors, Galuvao was a member of the 2003 NRL premiership-winning Panthers team which defeated the Sydney Roosters in the 2003 NRL grand final. With fellow second-rower Tony Puletua, Galuvao was known as one of the "Hair Bears" and was rated one of the best second-rowers in the world in 2003. As 2003 NRL premiers, the Panthers travelled to England to face Super League VIII champions, the Bradford Bulls in the 2004 World Club Challenge. Galuvao played at second-row forward in the Panthers' 22-4 loss.
Galuvao joined South Sydney from 2006 on a three-year deal. Galuvao was released in September 2007 after a campaign to encourage him to retire, reportedly being told by Souths to swap "the paddock for the pulpit". Galuvao signed a two-year contract with Parramatta, keeping him with the Eels through the 2009 NRL season.
In the 2008 NRL season, he only played in six NRL games for Parramatta. In 2009, however he matched that total in the first six games of the season. In August, 2009, Galuvao extended his playing career by signing a three-year deal with Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. On October 4, 2009, Galuvao played for Parramatta in the 2009 NRL Grand Final defeat by Melbourne. In 2010, Melbourne were subsequently stripped of the premiership they won against Parramatta for major and deliberate breaches of the salary cap.
Despite being concussed in a pre-season match, Galuvao made his debut for Manly against his old club Parramatta in round 2 of the 2010 NRL season. Galuvao won a second premiership as part of Manly's victorious 2011 NRL Grand Final squad. He, along with Shane Rodney have played in the same premiership team twice, Rodney having been a teammate of Galuvao's in Penrith's victorious 2003 NRL Grand Final squad. In 2013, after suffering a season-ending injury, Galuvao announced his retirement.
Joe Galuvao - Wikipedia
Junior Kiwi utility back first came under notice playing for West Samoa in Super League’s World Nines’ competition in early 1997 when he was wrongfully awarded a try in a match against Australia – despite the use of a video referee for the first time. After two moderate seasons with the Warriors (sometimes at fullback) Galuvao was languishing in NZ’s domestic Barter Cup competition when he was signed to a modest contract by Penrith coach Royce Simmons for 2002. Simmons was sacked by the club before Galuvao arrived there but under coach John Lang the chunky, mobile player moved into the back row and started to make an impact with the club. Together with Tony Puletua he was a standout performer in the Panthers’ premiership-winning 2003 season. After making his Test debut for the Kiwis in the one-off Test against Australia in July he took his place in NZ’s shock 30-16 win over Australia in October. Galuvao battled injury in 2004 and was not as effective as the Panthers’ premiership defence stalled. After playing in the 16-all draw with Australia in October, Galuvao was actually ruled out of the Tri Nations competition by Panthers’ medical staff so he could have surgery in the off-season. He joined Souths in 2006.
- ALAN WHITICKER
Joe Galuvao - Playing Career - RLP
A summary of the career stats for Junior Kiwi utility back first came under notice playing for West Samoa in Super League’s World Nines’ competition in early 1997 when he was wrongfully awarded a try in a match against Australia – despite the use of a video referee for the first time. After two...
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