The prop has dotted down 18 times for the Otago Boys' High School First XV this year, a record most wingers would envy.
A whopping five of those came in a 55-0 drubbing of John McGlashan College in a Highlanders First XV semifinal a couple of weeks ago.
Before that, his best haul was a hat trick against Menzies College.
Aoina, from the Samoan village of Toamua, is in his second year at Otago Boys' and is looking forward to his team's South Island secondary schools final against Christchurch Boys' High School on Saturday.
''Obviously we like to play a bit in the forwards. That worked for us last time [against them], so just getting those big carries for good metres and using our good backs ...and I think we will be all right,'' Aoina said.
His move to Dunedin last year came about after he watched Otago Boys' play a pre-season game in Samoa in 2012.
He ''loved'' the way the school played and expressed interest in joining the team. The rest is history.
''It was a massive eye-opener for me. At first, when I came from Samoa, I wasn't in the best shape of my life. But since I have been here I have been making some good strides.''
Aoina weighed in at 134kg when he arrived in Dunedin, but is now about 120kg.
With almost two seasons under his belt, he credits the family-like environment for his success.
''I thought I had good friends back home, but I have managed to meet better friends here. The team environment is just unreal. It's pretty much a brotherhood here - that's what I love about it.''
Otago Boys' coach Ryan Martin thinks Aoina has the potential to make the New Zealand Schools or Barbarians teams this year, and the Otago team further down the track if he continued to improve.
''If he keeps progressing the way he has, he would be a real asset for our province,'' Martin said.
''The fact he is a really good scrummager helps. A lot of big guys are good ball carriers, but he is a set-piece man first and foremost, so I think that's the string to his bow.''
The loosehead prop is also thriving off the rugby paddock. He is a hostel prefect and is interested in agriculture.
Aoina plans to continue into tertiary education next year and play club rugby.
- by Robert Van Royen
