Hitro Okesene
Encyclopedia
Hitro Okesene is a New Zealand
former rugby league
footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who represented three countries; Western Samoa, American Samoa and New Zealand. His brother Paul
also played international rugby league.
, for the Manukau club
, and for Carlisle
in the English competition during the New Zealand off-season. In 1994 he captained the Counties Manukau Heroes in the Lion Red Cup
and in 1995 was part of the inaugural Auckland Warriors squad. He stayed with Auckland for another two seasons before moving the England to play in the Super League
. He played for both the Hull Sharks and Featherstone Rovers
before settling at lower division club, Workington Town
. Here, as in Auckland, he became a cult figure.
in the Pacific Cup
. He later represented American Samoa
at the 1992 Pacific Cup
alongside his brother Paul.
He played at either Prop or Hooker and represented the New Zealand Kiwis on five occasions both on the 1994 tour of Australia
and Papua New Guinea
and at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup
.
. He was replaced in 2005 but remains in Cumbria
, working in the construction industry.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
former rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who represented three countries; Western Samoa, American Samoa and New Zealand. His brother Paul
Paul Okesene
Paul Okesene is a Samoan rugby league player who represented both Western Samoa and American Samoa. His brother, Hitro, also played international rugby league.-Playing career:...
also played international rugby league.
Playing career
His early years saw him play in both Auckland competitionsAuckland Rugby League
The Auckland Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It is responsible for rugby league in the region and was the owner of Carlaw Park, once the "spiritual home of rugby league in New Zealand".-History:The Auckland Rugby League was...
, for the Manukau club
Manukau Magpies
The Manukau Magpies are a rugby league football club based in Manukau, New Zealand who compete in Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition. The club was established in 1910.-History:...
, and for Carlisle
Carlisle RLFC
Carlisle RLFC were a rugby league team based in Carlisle, Cumbria.-Early rugby league in Carlisle:Carlisle City, based at Harraby Greyhound Stadium close to Gillford Park, were admitted to the Northern Rugby Football Union for the 1928-29 season. They withdrew on November 8, 1928 after only ten...
in the English competition during the New Zealand off-season. In 1994 he captained the Counties Manukau Heroes in the Lion Red Cup
Lion Red Cup
The Lion Red Cup was a New Zealand domestic rugby league competition that ran from 1994-1996 sponsored by brewers Lion Nathan. It was created due to the increase in public awareness of domestic rugby league due to the Auckland Warriors being accepted into the Winfield Cup. The competition was a...
and in 1995 was part of the inaugural Auckland Warriors squad. He stayed with Auckland for another two seasons before moving the England to play in the Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
. He played for both the Hull Sharks and Featherstone Rovers
Featherstone Rovers
Featherstone Rovers are a semi-professional rugby league club, based in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, England. They currently play in the Championship. The Rovers are one of the last vestiges of "small town teams" that were once common in rugby league during the early twentieth century...
before settling at lower division club, Workington Town
Workington Town
Workington Town is a professional rugby league club playing in Workington in West Cumbria. They play in the Championship 1. Their stadium is called Derwent Park, which they share with Workington Comets, a speedway team....
. Here, as in Auckland, he became a cult figure.
Representative career
Okesene was a Junior Kiwi in 1988 and 1989. In 1988 he also represented Western SamoaSamoa national rugby league team
-Notable Players & Coaches:* John Ackland * Steve Kaiser Coach 1990 - 1994* Steve Kaiser 1986* Afi Ah Koui 1986* Andrew Ah Koui 1986* George Apelu 1986* Fa'ausu Afoa circa-1995* Wing Afoa 1990 - 1994* Isaak Ah Mau circa-2006...
in the Pacific Cup
1988 Pacific Cup
-Group 2:-Finals:-Fifth place play off:-Semi Finals:-Third place play off:-Final:-External links:* The Vault...
. He later represented American Samoa
American Samoa national rugby league team
The American Samoa national rugby league team represents American Samoa at rugby league football and has been participating in international competition since 1988.-Competitions:American Samoa has participated in:*Pacific Cup...
at the 1992 Pacific Cup
1992 Pacific Cup (rugby league)
-Section 2:An opening ceremony was held at Carlaw Park before the New Zealand Māori v Australian Aboriginies match.-Finals:-Semi Finals:-Third place playoff:-Final:...
alongside his brother Paul.
He played at either Prop or Hooker and represented the New Zealand Kiwis on five occasions both on the 1994 tour of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
and at the 1995 Rugby League World Cup
1995 Rugby League World Cup
The 1995 Rugby League World Cup was held during October in the United Kingdom. It was the eleventh staging of the Rugby League World Cup and was marketed as the Halifax Centenary World Cup, reflecting the tournament's sponsorship and the fact that 1995 marked the 100th birthday of the sport...
.
Retirement
In 2003 he retired due to knee troubles and became coach of the Ellenborough Rangers who competed in the Cumbria Amateur Rugby LeagueCumberland League
The Cumberland League is a series of rugby league divisions in the traditional county of Cumberland.The league is run by the British Amateur Rugby League Association . Teams from the Cumberland league can apply for election to the National Conference League if they meet minimum...
. He was replaced in 2005 but remains in Cumbria
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
, working in the construction industry.