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Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Tolutau Koula Jr | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 2 September 2002 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 88 kg (13 st 12 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Centre, Fullback | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] As of 17 May 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tolutau Koula (born 2 September 2002) is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who plays as a centre and fullback for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League (NRL).
Background[edit]
Koula's parents represented Tonga at multiple Olympic Games. His father, Tolutau Koula Sr, was a sprinter and his mother, Ana Siulolo Liku, was a hurdler.[2]
Koula Jr set the GPS sprint record in 2019 at 10.58 seconds.[3] He graduated from Newington College in 2020, where he was the Athletics Captain[4][5]
Playing career[edit]
2022[edit]
Koula made his debut in round 1 of the 2022 NRL season for Manly-Warringah in a 28–6 loss to Penrith.[6] Following this, he was announced as a member of the Tongan national rugby league team, where he will start at fullback against New Zealand on June 25.[7]
Koula played 20 games for Manly in the 2022 NRL season as the club finished 11th on the table and missed out on the finals.[8] He was one of seven players involved in the Manly pride jersey player boycott.[9]
2023[edit]
In round 15 of the 2023 NRL season, Koula scored two tries for Manly in their 58–18 victory over the Dolphins.[10] In round 21, Koula scored two tries for Manly in their 30–26 victory over rivals Cronulla in the battle of the beaches game.[11] In round 27, Koula scored two tries in Manly's 54–12 victory over the Wooden Spoon side Wests Tigers.[12] Koula played 19 games for Manly in the 2023 NRL season and scored eight tries as the club finished 12th on the table and missed the finals once again.[13]
References[edit]
- ^ "Tolutau Koula – Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project.
- ^ Proszenko, Adrian (9 March 2022). "Olympic bloodlines put Koula on fast track to top with Sea Eagles". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ Geleit, Lachlan (14 February 2022). "Manly to unleash the "quickest" player in the NRL in trial match". SEN.
- ^ "Tolutau Koula". Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ SMH Olympic bloodlines put Koula on fast track to top with Sea Eagles Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- ^ "NRL 2022, Round 1 Team Lists". NRL.com. 8 March 2022.
- ^ "Tongan stars set for huge Origin call as Kiwis swing axe on Warriors star: Test teams named". foxsports.com.au. 15 June 2022.
- ^ "NRL 2022: Manly Sea Eagles season review". www.sportingnews.com. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
- ^ "Seven Manly players to boycott NRL match over pride jersey". Sydney Morning Herald. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ "Sea Eagles embarrass Dolphins with 58–18 NRL hiding, Warriors beat Raiders 36–14 to crash Jarrod Croker's party". www.abc.net.au.
- ^ "Sea Eagles hold off Sharks to win 30–26, Panthers thrash Bulldogs 44–18 to stay top of NRL ladder". www.abc.net.au.
- ^ "'Brilliant moment': DCE's wholesome Jurbo gift as Manly enforcer shines — Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au.
- ^ "The $800k call Seibold must make as Turbo hits NRL crossroads: Sea Eagles Brutal Review". www.foxsports.com.au.