John Ah Kuoi

Tuaopepe John Joseph Ah Kuoi (born 14 July 1957) is a former Samoan rugby union player. He played as a centre.

John Ah Kuoi

Birth name	John Joseph Ah Kuoi
Date of birth	14 July 1957
Place of birth	Samoa
Height	180 cm (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Weight	70 kg (154 lb)[2]
Notable relative(s)	John Kirwan (brother-in-law)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) Marist () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 1985–1986 1987 1996 Auckland B Auckland Central Vikings () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1987–1990 Samoa 6 (11)

Career

John Ah Kuoi comes from a prominent Samoan family, with Chinese heritage as well. He came to Auckland as a 12-year-old for his schooling, but kept his ties with Samoa, representing the country in 12 rugby tests in the 1980s.[3] He played for Auckland in the NPC in the 1980s. His first cap for Samoa was during a match against Fiji, at Suva, on 22 August 1987 and his last cap was against Tonga, at Tokyo, on 11 April 1990.

Personal life

On leaving school, he gained a private pilot licence, but the career in aviation he had hoped for didn’t materialise. He married his high school girlfriend and got his first taste of insurance, as a salesman. The couple moved to Italy for a year, where John played rugby with his brother in law, All Black John Kirwan.

After returning to New Zealand, John work in a business that sells uniforms, soon branching out with his own sports uniform business. Together with Sue, he ran this business for 19 years. In 2009, he came full circle – returning to his first job as insurance advisor, this time with the Maurice Trapp Group. His reasoning was simple: Not everyone needs uniforms, but everyone needs insurance!

Now a Registered Financial Advisor (RFA), John enjoys what he does. “I love it – it’s about helping people. There’s a tremendous feelgood element when you’ve done something and see how relieved clients are when they realise they’re covered, on their budget.”

When he’s not working, John loves a round of golf, and has kept active in rugby coaching for many years.

References

1. Samoa 1988 Ireland and Wales Tour squad World Rugby
2. Samoa 1988 Ireland and Wales Tour squad World Rugby
3. John Ah Kuoi at Ah Kuoi Kirwan Insurance

External links

• John Ah Kuoi international statistics
• John Joseph Ah Kuoi at New Zealand Rugby History