Paula Balekana

Last updated

Paula Balekana
Date of birth (1993-05-18) 18 May 1993 (age 30)
Place of birth Suva, Fiji
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight90 kg (14 st 2 lb; 198 lb)
School Kelston Boys' High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Current team New England Free Jacks, Hawke's Bay
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2016−2017 Gordon 29 (120)
2017 Sydney Rays 3 (15)
2018–2020 Zebre 25 (20)
2021 Houston SaberCats 16 (30)
2022− New England Free Jacks 35 (112)
2023− Hawke's Bay 7 (0)
Correct as of 23 April 2024

Paula Balekana (born 18 May 1993) is a Fijian rugby union player, who currently plays as a wing for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby (MLR) and Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition. [1] He previously played for the Houston SaberCats in MLR. [2]

Balekana was named in the Sydney Rays squad for the 2017 National Rugby Championship season after having played for Gordon RFC in the Shute Shield. [3] Afterwards, he played for Zebre during the 2018-19 Pro14 and 2019-20 Pro14 seasons. [4] [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurt Baker</span> New Zealand rugby union player

Kurt Baker is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a fullback or wing for Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby (MLR).

Brendon O'Connor is a New Zealand rugby union player, who plays as flanker for Rugby New York (Ironworkers) in Major League Rugby (MLR). He previously played for Canterbury and Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and for the Crusaders and Blues in Super Rugby. Between 2015 and 2019 he played for Leicester Tigers in England's Premiership Rugby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Kearney</span> Rugby player

Dave Kearney, is an Irish rugby union player who plays wing and fullback for Lansdowne, Chicago Hounds and Ireland. He attended Clongowes Wood College. Kearney's older brother, Rob, formerly started at fullback for Leinster and the Ireland national rugby union team.

Nick Grigg is a rugby union player, who currently plays as a midfield back for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and the Miami Sharks in Major League Rugby.

Caleb Makene is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as an outside back or fly-half for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and Utah Warriors in the Major League Rugby (MLR).

Isaac Arapata Salmon is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a prop for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship. He also plays for New Orleans Gold in Major League Rugby (MLR) in the United States. Salmon was educated at Nelson College from 2011 to 2014.

Antonio Rizzi was an Italian rugby union player. His usual position was as a fly-half and he played for Zebre in Pro14.

Daniele Rimpelli is an Italian rugby union player. His usual position is as a Prop and he currently plays for Zebre in Pro14.

Apisai Tauyavuca is a Fijian rugby union player who previously played for the Houston SaberCats in Major League Rugby (MLR). His usual position is as a Lock or Flanker.

Nicolò Casilio is an Italian rugby union player. His usual position is as a Scrum-Half and he currently plays for Benetton in United Rugby Championship.

Iacopo Bianchi is an Italian rugby union player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Federico Mori</span> Italian rugby union player

Federico Mori is an Italian professional rugby union player. His usual position is Centre and he currently plays for Bayonne in the Top 14.

Massimo Cioffi is an Italian rugby union player. His usual position is as a Wing and he currently plays for Fiamme Oro in Italian Serie A Elite.

Davide Ruggeri is an Italian rugby union player. His usual position is as a Flanker and he currently plays for Zebre Parma in United Rugby Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacopo Trulla</span> Italian rugby union player

Jacopo Trulla is an Italian rugby union player. His usual position is as a wing, and he currently plays for Zebre.

Niculae Cristian Stoian is a Moldovan-born Italian rugby union player. His usual position is as a Lock and he currently plays for Fiamme Oro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alessandro Fusco</span> Italian rugby union player

Alessandro Fusco is an Italian professional rugby union player who primarily plays scrum-half for Zebre Parma in the United Rugby Championship. He has also represented Italy at international level, having made his test debut against Argentina during the 2021 Autumn Nations Series. Fusco has previously played for clubs such as Fiamme Oro in the past.

Sosefo Losino 'Apikotoa is a rugby union player, who currently plays as a prop for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and for Anthem Rugby Carolina in Major League Rugby (MLR). He previously played for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. He was born and raised in New Zealand, but represents Tonga internationally, for which he is eligible due to his Tongan descent.

Lincoln McClutchie is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a first five-eighth for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby.

Josh Kaifa is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a loose forward for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and Zebre in the United Rugby Championship.

References

  1. "2023 Magpies squad release". Hawke's Bay Rugby Union. 5 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  2. "Houston signs Zebre winger Paula Balekana". Americas Rugby News. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  3. "Around the grounds: May 27 club teams". www.rugby.com.au.
  4. "Both Irish and English interest as Zebre confirm official 2019/20 squad". RugbyPass. 17 July 2019.
  5. "Le Zebre Rugby Salutano Otto Giocatori Che Lasciano Il Club". 14 July 2020.