Sam Lisone

Sam Lisone (born 19 February 1994) is a New Zealand rugby league player who has represented Samoa and currently plays professionally for the New Zealand Warriors.

Early years

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Lisone is of Samoan and New Zealand descent and attended Tangaroa College, while playing his junior rugby league for Otahuhu Leopards. He attended the National Secondary Schools competition in 2011 and was named in the tournament team.

Playing career

Lisone was signed by the New Zealand Warriors in 2012 and played in the Warriors NYC team in 2013 and 2014. He attended an NRL rookie camp on the 24 and 25 November 2012. He played in the 2013 Holden Cup grand final, which the club lost 30-42 to the Penrith Panthers juniors.

In 2014, Lisone also played in the New South Wales Cup for the Warriors and was 18th man for the first grade side on several occasions. He co-captained the Junior Warriors in the 2014 Holden Cup grand final, scoring a try in a 34-32 victory over the Brisbane Broncos juniors. He was named at prop in the Holden Cup team of the year and also won the Warriors NYC Player of the Year and NYC Players’ Player of the Year awards. Lisone finished the year co-captaining the Junior Kiwis in a 15-14 defeat of the Junior Kangaroos on 18 October.

Lisone joined the New Zealand Warriors first grade squad for 2015, and was part of the squad for the 2015 NRL Auckland Nines.

Lisone made his first grade debut on 7 March 2015 against the Newcastle Knights. He made 19 appearances for the Warriors in 2015, while mid-season his contract was extended until the end of 2018.

On 2 May 2015, Lisone played for Samoa against Tonga in the 2015 Polynesian Cup.

On October 8, 2016, Lisone played for Samoa in their historical test match against Fiji in Apia.