| Date of birth | 1 June 1999 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Lofanga, Tonga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 186 cm (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 99 kg (218 lb; 15 st 8 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Rotorua Boys' High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Taniela Filimone (born 1 June 1999) is a Tongan rugby union player, who plays for Highlanders and Manawatu. His preferred position is centre, wing or fullback. [1]
Filimone was born in Tonga and originally attended Tupou College Toloa before attending Rotorua Boys' High School on a scholarship. [2] He originally played his club rugby for Tauranga. In 2019 he represented Tonga U20. [3]
Filimone has represented Manawatu in the National Provincial Championship since 2021, being named as a replacement player for the 2024 Bunnings NPC. [4] In 2023, having previously spent time with the Chiefs in Super Rugby, he moved to America to play for the New England Free Jacks. [5] In 2024 he transferred to the New Orleans Gold, scoring 11 tries across the 2024 Major League Rugby season. [6] He was called into the Highlanders squad ahead of Round 9 of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season, making his debut against the Drua scoring two tries. [7] [8]
In July 2024, Filimone made his international debut for Tonga, representing them against Italy. [9]