Joe Naufahu

Acting filled the rugby void for Game of Thrones star Joe Naufahu

The former New Zealand Colts midfield back had to quit the game at 26 due to a degenerative knee problem.

Naufahu, 41, who played Khal Moro in the sixth series of Game of Thrones, was playing for Glasgow in the Celtic League when forced to retire.

The one-time Southland and Canterbury representative told BBC Scotland he struggled to adjust without rugby in his life.

To fill the void he turned to weightlifting, returning to New Zealand to work on construction sites before opening a gym in Auckland.​

‘Game of Thrones’: Meet the Former Pro Rugby Player Who Plays Khal Moro

“He thought I was going to be a contestant on a game show,” says Naufahu, a former pro rugby player who portrays Dothraki warlord Khal Moro in season 6. He made his debut on the show Sunday night.