Background
Saili was born in Auckland and educated at Street Peter"s College where he played rugby in the school First XV.
Saili was born in Auckland and educated at Street Peter"s College where he played rugby in the school First XV.
He represented New Zealand in schoolboy and global under-age tournaments. After leaving school he played for Auckland Marist. He is the older brother of Blues and All Black centre Francis Saili.
Saili was a junior All Black in 2007 and 2008.
Saili started his professional rugby career in 2008, with a start in the Non-Player Character for Auckland against Poverty Bay. In 2009 he commenced playing for the Blues in a match against the Western Force.
On 16 January 2015, it was revealed that The Blues had released Saili with immediate effect to allow him to take up a contract in France.
In 2007 he was a member of the team which won the International Rugby Board"s junior world championship (Under 19), defeating South Africa in the final (31-7). In 2008 he was a member of the New Zealand team which won the International Rugby Board"s junior world championship (the inaugural under-20 tournament), pulling off a crushing 38-3 win (four tries to none) over England in Swansea, Wales.
