Kelma Tuilagi
Kelma Tuilagi (born 16 February 1999) is a Samoan professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL and Samoa at international level.
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 16 February 1999 Apia, Samoa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 192 cm (6 ft 4 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 108 kg (17 st 0 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Second-row | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] As of 15 June 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
He previously played for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League.
Early life
Tuilagi was born in Apia, Samoa, he then moved to New Zealand. He attended Waitakere College in Auckland from 2013.[2]
Tuilagi played junior rugby league with Glenora Bears, representing the Junior Kiwis in 2018.[3]
After moving to Melbourne, Victoria, Australia he was educated at Hallam Secondary College, Tuilagi played with Casey Warriors in the Melbourne Rugby League. Playing junior representative rugby league with the Victorian Thunderbolts, Tuilagi was signed on a development contract with Melbourne Storm, spending most of his time with feeder club Easts Tigers in the Queensland Cup.[3]
Playing career
2021
In round 20 of the 2021 NRL season, Tuilagi made his debut for the Wests Tigers against the New Zealand Warriors.[4]
In round 22, he scored his first try in the NRL during a 24–16 victory over North Queensland.[5]
2022
In October, Tuilagi was named in the Samoa squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[6]
2023
Tuilagi played 17 matches for Manly in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 12th on the table and missed the finals.[7] On 16 October, Tuilagi signed a two-year contract to join Parramatta starting in the 2024 season.[8]
2024
In round 1 of the 2024 NRL season, Tuilagi made his club debut for Parramatta as they defeated arch-rivals Canterbury 28-6.[9] In round 15, Tuilagi was replaced on report during Parramatta's loss against the Sydney Roosters for a dangerous lifting tackle. Tuilagi was due to challenge the decision at the NRL Judiciary but was ruled out for five weeks with a thumb injury. Tuilagi was suspended for a total of four matches.[10]
References
- Rugby League Project
- "Former Student Kelma Tuilagi In Rugby League World Cup". Waitākere College. 24 November 2022. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
- "Wests Tigers profile - Kelma Tuilagi". weststigers.com.au. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- "Kelma Tuilagi to make NRL debut against Warriors". weststigers.com.au. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- "Manly thumps Parramatta Eels 56-10, as South Sydney and Wests Tigers enjoy NRL wins". ABC News. 14 August 2021.
- Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021
- "The $800k call Seibold must make as Turbo hits NRL crossroads: Sea Eagles Brutal Review". www.foxsports.com.au.
- "Kelma Tuilagi signs with Parramatta Eels". www.parraeels.com.au.
- "Dogs' Foxx fear compounds rough night; Eels may have finally solved big issue: What we learned". www.foxsports.com.au.
- "Eels enforcer hit with five-week ban after injury twist halts plan to fight NRL charge". www.foxsports.com.au.