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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 6 September 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.
He previously played for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League.
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]
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]
In October, Tuilagi was named in the Samoa squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. [6]
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]
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] He made a total of 16 appearances in 2024 for the club as they finished 15th on the table. [11] On 3 December 2024, the Eels announced that Tuilagi had re-signed with the club until the end of 2026. [12]
Feleti Sosefo Mateo is a former Tonga international rugby league footballer. He played a variety of positions from lock, second-row and five-eighth. Mateo was also selected to represent NSW City Origin and the NRL All Stars. He last played for English club Salford Red Devils of Super League in 2016. Before that, he played for Sydney club the Parramatta Eels between 2004 and 2010. He also played for the New Zealand Warriors between 2011 and 2014, and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in 2015 and 2016 before moving back to England and finishing his top-level career with Salford. Mateo was renowned for his versatility and extravagant style of play.
Kieran Foran is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a five-eighth or halfback for the Gold Coast Titans in the National Rugby League (NRL) and New Zealand at international level.
Michael Chee-Kam is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward or centre for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL.
George Jennings is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who last played as a winger for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Nathaniel Roache is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a hooker for the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup.
Joshua Aloiai is a Samoan international rugby league footballer who plays as a prop or lock for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Joshua Addo-Carr, nicknamed "The Foxx", is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a winger for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League and Australia at international level. Addo-Carr is a dual premiership winner 2017 and 2020 with the Melbourne Storm and 2021 World Cup winner.
Mosese "Moses" Suli is an Australian rugby league player who plays for the Tonga national team centre and winger for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Isaiah Papali'i is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League (NRL). He has played for both Samoa and New Zealand at international level.
Maika Sivo is a Fijian professional rugby league footballer who plays for the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League, and represents Fiji at international level.
Reuben Garrick is an Australian rugby league footballer who plays as a centre or winger for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Hayze Perham is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a fullback for the Brisbane Broncos in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Brian To'o is an Australian and Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a winger for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL.
Stefano Utoikamanu is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Charlie Staines is a Samoan international rugby league footballer who plays as a winger or fullback for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Daejarn Asi is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a halfback, five-eighth or centre for the Castleford Tigers in the Super League.
Izack Tago is a Samoa international rugby league footballer who plays as a centre for the Penrith Panthers in the NRL. He won the 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 NRL Grand Finals with the Penrith Panthers.
Gregory Marzhew is a Samoa international rugby league player from New Zealand who plays as a winger for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL.
Sunia Turuva is a Fiji international rugby league footballer who plays as a winger for the Wests Tigers in the NRL .He previously played for the Penrith Panthers, where he was a 2 time premiership winner; he has won Dally M Rookie of the year 2022. Turuva was a part of the extended squad in 2021 and 2022 till he would cement himself in the Starting 13 and go on to win the 2023 and 2024 NRL Grand Finals with the Penrith Panthers.
The 2024 Parramatta Eels season was the 78th season in the club's history and the 27th in the National Rugby League. Coached by Brad Arthur for his eleventh consecutive season, and co-captained by Clinton Gutherson and Junior Paulo, the team competed in the 2024 NRL Telstra Premiership during the regular season and also participated in the Pre-season Challenge in February during their pre-season fixtures.
