RWC Player Profile: Joe Tuineau

The first in a series looking at a player from each nation competing at the World Cup. This first one focuses on the Southland and Highlanders lock, Joe Tuineau, who shall be representing Tonga in the upcoming World Cup.

The second row forward who was born in Fiji has taken an interesting route to rugby's showpiece event taking place in New Zealand next month. He was brought up in New Zealand but decided to head to South Missouri State University to play American Football as a tight end. After Uni, he trained with some NFL sides but failed to secure a contract.

Tuineau will provide some much needed reach in the line out which has been a problem for Tonga. At 6'8 and just under 19 stone, he is an intimidating prospect but as shown by his ability to play tight end in American Football shows his athleticism and makes him an interesting prospect for Tongan coach Isitolo Maka to work with.

Plus his lady is on the verge of being a double International.

He must have decent pace if he was a tight end,should also have good ball skills.

From memory he was quite a good rugby player at school, and I think he made the Auckland development side. Tried his luck at american football, but never made the draft. A combination of I think, being new to the game, small school, injuries and the wieght of talent in US college football. I know he got a further trial, but when that didn't work out decided to play rugby for Southland (he played club rugby when back in NZ). He's useful, and he could have qualified for somewhere between 3 and 6 teams.