Kelma Tuilagi Explained

Kelma Tuilagi
Birth Date:1999 2, df=y
Birth Place:Apia, Samoa
Height:192cm (76inches)
Weight:108kg (238lb)
Year1start:2021
Year1end:22
Appearances1:27
Tries1:2
Goals1:0
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:8
Club2:Manly Sea Eagles
Year2start:2023
Appearances2:17
Tries2:1
Goals2:0
Fieldgoals2:0
Points2:4
Club3:Parramatta Eels
Year3start:2024
Year3end:present
Appearances3:15
Tries3:3
Goals3:0
Fieldgoals3:0
Points3:12
Teama:Samoa
Yearastart:2022
Appearancesa:4
Triesa:0
Goalsa:0
Fieldgoalsa:0
Pointsa:0
Source:[1]
Updated:15 June 2024

Kelma Tuilagi (born 16 February 1999) is a Samoan professional rugby league footballer who plays as a 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.

Early life

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.

Playing career

2021

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]

2022

In October, Tuilagi was named in the Samoa squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[6]

2023

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]

2024

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]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/kelma-tuilagi/summary.html Rugby League Project
  2. Web site: Former Student Kelma Tuilagi In Rugby League World Cup . Waitākere College . 24 November 2022 . 14 March 2023.
  3. Web site: Wests Tigers profile - Kelma Tuilagi . weststigers.com.au . 2 August 2021.
  4. Web site: Kelma Tuilagi to make NRL debut against Warriors . weststigers.com.au . 2 August 2021.
  5. News: Manly thumps Parramatta Eels 56-10, as South Sydney and Wests Tigers enjoy NRL wins. ABC News. 14 August 2021 .
  6. https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rugby-league-world-cup-2021-squad-lists/ Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021
  7. Web site: The $800k call Seibold must make as Turbo hits NRL crossroads: Sea Eagles Brutal Review. www.foxsports.com.au.
  8. Web site: Kelma Tuilagi signs with Parramatta Eels. www.parraeels.com.au.
  9. Web site: Dogs’ Foxx fear compounds rough night; Eels may have finally solved big issue: What we learned. www.foxsports.com.au.
  10. Web site: Eels enforcer hit with five-week ban after injury twist halts plan to fight NRL charge. www.foxsports.com.au.