on as a replacement for Tana Umaga in the third-place playoff against South Africa, which South Africa won 22–18. Alatini was the All Blacks' first choice second five-eighth during the 2000 Tri Nations, and was selected for the All Blacks' end-of-year tour to France and Italy. He was dropped from the starting line-up for the tests against France, with the selectors preferring Daryl Gibson at second five-eighth due to his more physical defense. He played as an unused reserve in the second test against France, and started the test against Italy. He regained his place as the All Blacks' first choice second five-eighth for the 2001 domestic tests and Tri Nations. Alatini played his last test for the All Blacks on 1 September 2001, in a 29–26 loss to Australia at Stadium Australia. After the 2001 Tri Nations, the All Blacks coaches Wayne Smith and Tony Gilbert were replaced by John Mitchell and Robbie Deans. Alatini was selected for the All Blacks for the last time on the 2001 tour of Ireland and Argentina. He was relegated to the mid-week team, with the new coaches preferring Aaron Mauger at second five-eighth for the test matches due to his superior distribution skills. Post rugby He revealed in 2020 that he developed drinking problems shortly after the news, but has recovered by 2020. He had the lowest metabolic age in season one of Match Fit, at 29 years old as a 44-year-old, and becoming the only graduates of the program with Troy Flavell. He returned in season 2 of Match Fit in 2021, but as emergency backup squad. On the first tackle rugby scrimmage against East Coast, he dislocated his shoulder after scoring a try in the second half. Personal life Pita married Megan Alatini in 2000, they met in 1994. He has three children: Two daughters, Tonica, born 13 May 1995 and Tiara born 2002, and one son, Trey, born 2005. References External links 1976 births New Zealand international rugby union players Living people Rugby union centres Tongan emigrants to New Zealand Tonga international rugby union players Highlanders (rugby union) players Crusaders (rugby union) players Chiefs (rugby union) players Hurricanes (rugby union) players Southland rugby union players Otago rugby union players Counties Manukau rugby union players Wellington rugby union players Tokyo Sungoliath players People from Nukuʻalofa People educated at King's College, Auckland University of Otago alumni Expatriate rugby union players in