However, as he approached 18 — the age deadline to commit to a specific national team — he decided to play for his own country of birth, the United States, saying this could create opportunities for other Samoan players.

In June 2010, he led the Utes to victory in the inaugural Collegiate Rugby Championship, scoring two tries in a 31–26 overtime win over the California Golden Bears.

[9] Palamo made his professional rugby debut playing 55 minutes for Saracens in a win over Ospreys in LV= Cup.

[10] After making three appearances for Saracens, Palamo joined London Welsh on a year long loan for the 2015-16 RFU Championship season.

[11] However, on 31 December 2015, Palamo left London Welsh by early release to fully return to the United States Sevens set-up.

Palamo made his only other full test appearance for the Eagles in a tour match against Japan in Tokyo on 22 November 2008 before going on to captain the USA's Sevens team at the 2009 World Games in Taiwan.

[4][18][19] Palamo returned to international rugby starting at inside centre for the US in their 2014 IRB Pacific Nations Cup match against Canada.