Ioane Fitu Afoa, known as John, was born in Auckland on 16 October 1983 and educated at St Kentigern College and Papakura High School. He played club rugby at prop for Auckland University and at provincial level for Auckland. He also achieved the distinction of 101 appearances in Super Rugby for the Blues. Having played for New Zealand at under-19 and 21 levels, he gained 36 test caps between 2005 and 2011, including the 2011 Rugby World Cup. In 2009 he played for the All Blacks against the Barbarians at Twickenham. John Afoa joined Ulster Rugby in 2011 and played in the 2012 Heieneken Cup Final. He spent 2014-18 with Gloucester before switching to Bristol