Ali
joined the Pirates in the summer of 2007 from Top 14 French Championship side
Montpellier, it felt that the six foot tall and sixteen and a half stones plus
powerhouse wing, who has played against Jonah Lomu in the past, would be certain
to bring something of a physical presence to the game from his berth out wide.
Always
a likely crowd favourite, he is a friend of Iva Motusaga, the pair having attended
the same school and from the same town. His father Kofe Koko was a prop forward
who played for Samoa, and his uncle Lolani Koko represented Wellington and Samoa
on the wing in the late 80s/early 90s, played for New Zealand Barbarians, and
was also an 'All Blacks' trialist.
Born
in American Samoa, Ali holds an American passport. He moved to New Zealand with
his family when he was 4, developing also into a very useful volleyball player,
winning many awards - including 'Schools Player of the Year' for the Wellington
region. He attended Mana College, as did Iva, Rodney and Steve So'oialo, and Elvis
Seveali'i.
His rugby
at Wellington started from schoolboy level, the side captained by England prop
Perry Freshwater. He progressed to the U19s team, the U21s Colts team, and then
the Wellington NPC squad from 1997 to 1999 along with players such as Christian
Cullen, Tana Umaga, Filo Tiatia, Jerry Collins, and many more.
Ali
made his international debut for Samoa against Japan in 1999, but his greatest
rugby experience was representing his province Wellington, and scoring two tries
in a Ranfurly Shield challenge playing opposite Bruce Raehana.
A
proud family man, Ali and his French wife Sophie have a 3 year old daughter called
Morgane.
