Date of birth | 18 May 1993 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Place of birth | Suva, Fiji | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 90 kg (14 st 2 lb; 198 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
School | Kelston Boys' High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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). He previously played for the Houston SaberCats in MLR. [1]
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. [2] Afterwards, he played for Zebre during the 2018-19 Pro14 and 2019-20 Pro14 seasons. [3] [4]
In 2023, he played for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition. [5]
Scott Mathie is a rugby union current coach and former player. He played as a scrum-half for the Blue Bulls, Sharks, Leeds Carnegie, Sale Sharks and Eastern Province Kings. He retired in October 2013. He is the current head coach of the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby (MLR).
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).
Francois Brummer is a South African rugby union player for Zebre in the Pro14. His regular playing position is fly-half, although he has played fullback on occasion.
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.
David Alexander Sharp Sisi is a German-born Italian professional rugby union player who primarily plays lock for Zebre Parma of the United Rugby Championship. He has also represented Italy at international level, having made his test debut against Scotland during the 2019 Six Nations Championship. Sisi has previously played for clubs such as London Irish, London Scottish, Bath, and Leeds Tykes in the past.
Ockert Jacobus Jacques du Toit is a South African professional rugby union player for Zebre Parma in the United Rugby Championship, and previously for Bath in Premiership Rugby. His regular position is hooker.
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 Utah Warriors in the Major League Rugby (MLR). In New Zealand, he most recently played for Hawke's Bay in the National Provincial Championship competition
Major League Rugby (MLR) is a professional rugby union competition for clubs in North America. In the 2023 season it was contested by twelve teams: eleven from the United States and one from Canada. While operating outside of the governance and oversight of the national governing body, the league is officially sanctioned by USA Rugby—a member union of Rugby Americas North (RAN)—and is consequently part of World Rugby. The league was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
John Poland is an Irish rugby union player. He plays as a scrum-half for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby (MLR) in the United States. John recently played in the NPC with the Manwatu Turbos. Making 8 appearances and scoring 2 tries.
Erich Estiaan de Jager is a South African professional rugby union player for the New England Free Jacks of Major League Rugby (MLR). His regular position is prop. His nickname is "Tarzan" started by his teammates.
The New England Free Jacks are a professional rugby union team in Major League Rugby (MLR) based in the Greater Boston area. They were announced in September 2018 and began to compete professionally in October 2018. They competed in their first season in MLR in the 2020 season. The team has won two MLR shields after defeating the San Diego Legion in 2023 and the Seattle Seawolves in 2024.
Jayson Potroz is a New Zealand rugby union player. He plays at fullback in the Mitre 10 Cup for Taranaki. He also plays for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby (MLR).
Marco Manfredi is an Italian rugby union player. His usual position is as a Hooker 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.
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.
Joel Hintz is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a prop for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship. Recently, he also played as an injury replacement player for the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship and Western Force in Super Rugby. He previously played for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby (MLR) in the United States.
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.
Kianu Kereru-Symes is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a hooker or prop for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby. He previously played a season for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby (MLR) in the United States.
Le Roux Malan is a Namibian rugby union player, who currently plays as a centre for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby (MLR) and for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition. He represents Namibia internationally.