Reds
Paenga-Amosa was reported to have been in and out of the New South Wales Waratahs program while playing for the Southern Districts in the Shute Shield, the club he began his senior career with. His strong scrummaging and physical presence earned attention at higher levels, and was later picked up by the Greater Sydney Rams in the National Rugby Championship (NRC). [14] After one season (2016) with the Greater Sydney Rams, Paenga-Amosa was picked up by rural-based New South Wales club, the New South Wales Country Eagles for 2017. He appeared in all eight of the Country Eagles' fixtures for the season, and scored a hat-trick in the final match of the season against Brisbane City, which finished 38-all. [15] [16] Ahead of the 2018 Super Rugby season, Paenga-Amosa was offered a position with the Melbourne Rebels in their wider training squad. [7] However, following the retirement of Queensland Reds hooker Stephen Moore, [17] new coach Brad Thorn offered Paenga-Amosa a two-year contract, to which he signed. [7] [18] Months later, reflecting on his move to the Reds, Paenga-Amosa stated: "I was kind of star struck, having this idol of mine [Brad Thorn] call me, asking me if I wanted to come up to Brisbane. As soon as I spoke to him, I jumped in the car and drove to Queensland." [7]
Paenga-Amosa was the Reds' first-choice hooker for 2018. He played in every match for the youthful Reds and scored four tries throughout the season. [16] [19] Early into the season the Reds pulled off two major wins against dominant scrummaging sides: rivals the Brumbies, and the Pretoria-based Bulls. [17] These wins were noted as the Reds' forward pack was significantly younger and inexperienced than their opponents. [20] Paenga-Amosa played a further sixteen games for the Reds in their following season (2019), although only starting in six. He scored five tries, one more than the previous season. At the end of the season Paenga-Amosa signed a two-year contract extension. [5]
In the first round of the 2020 Super Rugby season (February 2020), Paenga‑Amosa suffered ankle ligament damage during a match against the Brumbies in Canberra, forcing him to exit early and undergo medical assessment. [21] This injury occurred just as he was poised to reclaim the starting hooker spot from Alex Mafi, after a strong off‑season. [21] Paenga-Amosa returned ahead of the newly-created Super Rugby AU competition, and was a regular starter in the lineup. Paenga-Amosa played in every Reds match of the 2020 Super Rugby AU season, including the 28–23 final defeat against the Brumbies. Throughout 2020, Paenga‑Amosa was influential in maintaining forward momentum, set‑pieces (especially lineout and scrums from the hooker role), and showed a more physical presence. Media comment noted his "ball‑carrying" and collision work reminiscent, provocatively, of players like Ma'a Nonu. [22]
Early in the 2021 season, Paenga‑Amosa was sidelined with a neck injury, delaying his squad involvement until round four of the 2021 Super Rugby AU season. [16] [19] [23] Post‑injury Paenga‑Amosa notably helped restore some stability to the hooker position and restore depth to the Reds' forward pack. [24] Australian sports website, The Roar , suggested that set‑piece execution (especially lineout throwing) was an area where the Reds hoped Paenga‑Amosa could contribute improvements when healthy. [23] Paenga‑Amosa played twelve matches for the Reds in 2021, including the Final victory over the Brumbies and the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman. [16] [19]
Montpellier
In early July 2021 it was confirmed that Paenga-Amosa had signed for Montpellier in the French Top 14 competition. [2] [25] In his first season with Montpellier, he made seventeen appearances in all competitions, including thirteen in the Top 14, starting in six. [16] [19] In European competition (the Champions Cup) he made four appearances. [16] [19] He scored one try in the Top 14 and contributed about 606 minutes in domestic play. [16] [19] In June 2022 Paenga-Amosa replaced Guilhem Guirado in the 26th minute of the 2021–22 Top 14 Final against Castres (whom came off with a concussion). [26] [27] Montpellier won 29–10 in what was their first French title since being established in 1986. [28]
In the following season 2022–23, Paenga‑Amosa's role increased. He played twenty-four matches for Montpellier in all competitions, of which nineteen were in the Top 14, and was a starter in twelve of those Top 14 matches. [16] [19] He also played five matches in the Champions Cup. He scored five tries in the Top 14 during the season. [16] [19] He also played approximately 995 minutes domestically during that campaign. [16] [19]
In his final season with Montpellier (2023–24), Paenga‑Amosa made twelve Top 14 appearances, starting in eight of those, scoring one try, with about 497 minutes played domestically. He also made three appearances in the Challenge Cup. [16] [19] Though slightly less prominent than in 2022–23, he continued to be a front‑row squad member when selected, contributing in both set‑piece and contact phases. In an interview with RugbyPass , Paenga-Amosa said that one area he improved in was his scrummaging, particularly in adapting to how hookers in the Top 14 are pressured. [29] He mentioned being more exposed to the French tight‑head players who "take that angle", try to break the seam between the loose‑head prop and hooker. He said his exposure in French rugby forced him to raise his technique. [29]
Western Force
In April 2024 it was announced that Paenga-Amosa had returned to Australia, signing a long-term deal with the Perth-based Western Force ahead of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season. [30] [31] His recruitment was part of a wider forward‑pack strengthening strategy for the Force, which included additions such as Nic Dolly, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Darcy Swain, Will Harris, among others. [32] [33] [34] In an interview with Rugby.com.au , Paenga-Amosa said that his time in France and his experience as a father have contributed to increased composure, better preparation for contests, and greater leadership in tight phases; [35] with Green and Gold Rugby (GAGR) commenting on a "wealth of experience and renewed sense of purpose" Paenga-Amosa would now bring to the Super Rugby after his stint in France. [36]
Paenga-Amosa played seven matches for the Force in 2025, scoring two tries. [16] [19]
