Franklin Pele Poutasi (born 18 December 2000) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for Bradford Bulls in the RFL Championship.
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| Full name | Franklin Pele Poutasi | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 18 December 2000 Auckland, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 20 st 11 lb (132 kg)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Prop | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [2] As of 19 June 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
He previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the NRL and for Hull F.C. in the Super League.
Background
editPele was born in Auckland, New Zealand, and is of Samoan descent.[3] When Franklin was the age of seven, his family moved from South Auckland to settle in Sydney, Australia.[3][4]
He played junior rugby league for the Otahuhu Leopards in Auckland,[5] and St Patrick's Sutherland and the Gymea Gorillas in Sydney.[citation needed]
He attended Endeavour Sports High School and played for the Australian Schoolboys in 2018.[6]
Playing career
editCronulla-Sutherland Sharks
editIn round 12 of the 2021 NRL season, Pele made his debut for Cronulla-Sutherland against the Gold Coast.[4][7] He was later sidelined for 9–12 weeks after undergoing surgery for an injury sustained in a reserve grade game, effectively ending his debut season.[8]
Canterbury Bulldogs
editIn 2023, Pele joined Canterbury. He made his club debut in round 1 of the 2023 NRL season against Manly at Brookvale Oval. Pele made a total of six appearances for the club. On 6 September 2023, Pele signed a two-year deal with English side Hull FC.[9]
Hull F.C.
editIn round 1 of the 2024 Super League season, Pele made his club debut for Hull F.C. against arch-rivals Hull Kingston Rovers but was sent off in the 39th minute for a deliberate high tackle.[10] On 20 February 2024, Pele was suspended for three matches in relation to the tackle and fined £750.[11] In round 5 of the 2024 Super League season, Pele was given a yellow card for a dangerous high tackle during the Hull's 54-4 defeat against Leigh. Pele was later suspended for one game.[12] In round 7 of the season, Pele scored his first try for Hull in their 56–22 loss to Huddersfield.[13][14]
York Knights (loan)
editOn 16 May 2024 it was reported that he had signed for York RLFC in the RFL Championship on a two-week loan.[15] York won both matches during his loan period and Pele scored a try in the match against Swinton Lions.[16]
Bradford Bulls
editOn 19 June 2024, it was reported that he had signed for Bradford in the RFL Championship for the remainder of the 2024 season after being released by Hull F.C..[17]
Statistics
editNRL
edit- Statistics are correct as of the end of the 2022 season[2]
| Season | Team | Matches | T | G | GK % | F/G | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 |  Cronulla Sharks
|
1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Career totals | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
References
edit- ^ a b Clarke, George. "121kg wrecking ball stuns with 60m solo try; Wallaby weighs up league return: NRL Scout". Fox Sports. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
- ^ a b "Franklin Pele - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project.
- ^ a b Whittaker, Troy (10 February 2021). "Weighty issue: Pele trades gym for pushbike". NRL.com. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Frank the Tank: Sharks sensation called up for NRL debut". Daily Telegraph. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- ^ Chisholm, Ed (6 March 2021). "NRL rookies: Franklin Pele - Cronulla's answer to Jason Taumalolo ready to be unleashed in 2021". Sporting News. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- ^ "Young Shark in Australian Schoolboys squad". sharks.com.au. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- ^ "Pele to become Shark #545". sharks.com.au. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- ^ "Injury Update – Young Shark faces extended period on sidelines". Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
- ^ "Super League move confirmed for Canterbury Bulldogs forward Franklin Pele". www.loverugbyleague.com.
- ^ "Hull FC new signing Franklin Pele sent off after horror swinging arm on Elliot Minchella". www.totalrl.com.
- ^ "Hull FC learn fate of Ligi Sao appeal and Franklin Pele tribunal". www.hulldailymail.co.uk.
- ^ "Hull FC make Franklin Pele decision ahead of tribunal scheduled for Tuesday evening". www.loverugbyleague.com.
- ^ "Super League: Hull FC 22-56 Huddersfield Giants - Adam Swift hat-trick sparks rout". BBC Sport. 6 April 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ "'He's determined' Hull FC prop Franklin Pele praised for confident return after tough start". Hull Daily Mail. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ Callum Walker (16 May 2024). "Franklin Pele makes short-term loan move alongside fellow Hull FC fullback". Total RL.
- ^ "Ex-York Knights loanee Franklin Pele reportedly released by Hull FC". The Press. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
- ^ Daniel Tomlinson (19 June 2024). "Franklin Pele signs for Championship club after Hull FC exit". Hull Daily Mail.