Franklin Pele

Last updated

Franklin Pele
Frank Pele.jpg
Personal information
Full nameFranklin Pele Poutasi
Born (2000-12-18) 18 December 2000 (age 24)
Auckland, New Zealand
Height6 ft 4 in (1.94 m) [1]
Weight20 st 11 lb (132 kg) [1]
Playing information
Rugby league
Position Prop
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2021 Cronulla Sharks 10000
2023 Canterbury Bulldogs 60000
2024 Hull F.C. 91004
2024(loan)→York Knights 21004
2024–25 Bradford Bulls 27110036
2026– South Sydney Rabbitohs 00000
Total45130044
Rugby union
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2025 RC Narbonne 41005
Source: [2]
As of 6 December 2025

Franklin Pele Poutasi (born 18 December 2000) is a New Zealand professional rugby league and rugby union footballer who plays as a prop for South Sydney Rabbitohs in the National Rugby League.

Contents

He previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the NRL and for Hull F.C. in the Super League.

Background

Pele was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and is of Samoan and American Samoan descent. [3] When Franklin was the age of seven, his family moved from South Auckland to settle in Sydney, Australia. [3] [4]

He played junior rugby league for the Otahuhu Leopards in Auckland, [5] and St Patrick's Sutherland and the Gymea Gorillas in Sydney.[ citation needed ]

He attended Endeavour Sports High School and played for the Australian Schoolboys in 2018. [6]

Playing career

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

In round 12 of the 2021 NRL season, Pele made his debut for Cronulla-Sutherland against the Gold Coast. [4] [7] He was later sidelined for 9–12 weeks after undergoing surgery for an injury sustained in a reserve grade game, effectively ending his debut season. [8]

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

In 2023, Pele joined Canterbury. He made his club debut in round 1 of the 2023 NRL season against Manly at Brookvale Oval. Pele made a total of six appearances for the club. On 6 September 2023, Pele signed a two-year deal with English side Hull FC. [9]

Hull F.C.

In round 1 of the 2024 Super League season, Pele made his club debut for Hull F.C. against arch-rivals Hull Kingston Rovers but was sent off in the 39th minute for a deliberate high tackle. [10] On 20 February 2024, Pele was suspended for three matches in relation to the tackle and fined £750. [11] In round 5 of the 2024 Super League season, Pele was given a yellow card for a dangerous high tackle during the Hull's 54-4 defeat against Leigh. Pele was later suspended for one game. [12] In round 7 of the season, Pele scored his first try for Hull in their 56–22 loss to Huddersfield. [13] [14]

York Knights (loan)

On 16 May 2024 it was reported that he had signed for York RLFC in the RFL Championship on a two-week loan. [15] York won both matches during his loan period and Pele scored a try in the match against Swinton Lions. [16]

Bradford Bulls

On 19 June 2024, it was reported that he had signed for Bradford in the RFL Championship for the remainder of the 2024 season after being released by Hull F.C.. [17]

On 10 May 2025, it was reported that he had left Bradford to join a, as yet unnamed, 3rd tier French rugby union club, leaving Bradford considering whether to launch legal action against the contracted player. [18]

RC Narbonne

On 13 June 2025 it was announced that he would switch codes to play rugby union for French side RC Narbonne [19]

South Sydney Rabbitohs

On 6 December 2025 it was reported that he had signed for South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL [20]

Statistics

NRL/Super League

Statistics are correct as of the middle of the 2025 season [2]
SeasonTeamMatchesTPts
2021 Cronulla colours.svg Cronulla Sharks 100
2023 Canterbury colours.svg Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 6
2024 Hullcolours.svg Hull FC 914
Yorkcolours.svg York (loan)214
Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls 15936
2025 Bullscolours.svg Bradford Bulls 1114
2026 South Sydney colours.svg South Sydney Rabbitohs
Career totals451344

References

  1. 1 2 Clarke, George (24 May 2021). "121kg wrecking ball stuns with 60m solo try; Wallaby weighs up league return: NRL Scout". Fox Sports. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Franklin Pele - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project.
  3. 1 2 Whittaker, Troy (10 February 2021). "Weighty issue: Pele trades gym for pushbike". NRL.com. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  4. 1 2 "Frank the Tank: Sharks sensation called up for NRL debut" . Daily Telegraph. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  5. ↑ Chisholm, Ed (6 March 2021). "NRL rookies: Franklin Pele - Cronulla's answer to Jason Taumalolo ready to be unleashed in 2021". Sporting News. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  6. ↑ "Young Shark in Australian Schoolboys squad". sharks.com.au. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  7. ↑ "Pele to become Shark #545". sharks.com.au. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  8. ↑ "Injury Update – Young Shark faces extended period on sidelines". Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  9. ↑ "Super League move confirmed for Canterbury Bulldogs forward Franklin Pele". www.loverugbyleague.com. 6 September 2023.
  10. ↑ "Hull FC new signing Franklin Pele sent off after horror swinging arm on Elliot Minchella". www.totalrl.com. 15 February 2024.
  11. ↑ "Hull FC learn fate of Ligi Sao appeal and Franklin Pele tribunal". www.hulldailymail.co.uk.
  12. ↑ "Hull FC make Franklin Pele decision ahead of tribunal scheduled for Tuesday evening". www.loverugbyleague.com. 19 March 2024.
  13. ↑ "Super League: Hull FC 22-56 Huddersfield Giants - Adam Swift hat-trick sparks rout". BBC Sport. 6 April 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  14. ↑ "'He's determined' Hull FC prop Franklin Pele praised for confident return after tough start". Hull Daily Mail. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  15. ↑ Callum Walker (16 May 2024). "Franklin Pele makes short-term loan move alongside fellow Hull FC fullback". Total RL.
  16. ↑ "Ex-York Knights loanee Franklin Pele reportedly released by Hull FC". The Press. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  17. ↑ Daniel Tomlinson (19 June 2024). "Franklin Pele signs for Championship club after Hull FC exit". Hull Daily Mail.
  18. ↑ Aaron Bower (10 May 2025). "Bradford Bulls weigh up Franklin Pele legal action after prop walks out". Love Rugby League.
  19. ↑ Aaron Bower (13 June 2025). "Franklin Pele's next club revealed after controversial Bradford Bulls exit". Love Rugby League.
  20. ↑ Callum Walker (6 December 2025). "Ex-Hull FC and Bradford Bulls prop Franklin Pele handed NRL lifeline". Total RL.
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