Siaki Kietaka Paokoula-O-Lupepau'u "Koula" Tukino (born 11 July 1977), also known as Kietaka Talasinga, is a New Zealand former professional rugby union player.[1]

Koula Tukino
Full nameSiaki Kietaka Paokoula-O-Lupepau'u Tukino
Date of birth (1977-07-11) 11 July 1977 (age 47)
Place of birthTonga
SchoolWesley College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Loose forward / Lock
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2003–04 World Fighting Bull ()
2005–06 Amatori Catania ()
2006–07 RC Toulon ()
2007–11 FC Grenoble ()
2011–15 US Romans ()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1995–96 Counties Manukau 4 (5)
1997 South Canterbury 8 (0)
1998–01 Counties Manukau 34 (55)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
1999–01 Chiefs 21 (5)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2000 New Zealand "A" 3 (0)

Biography

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Born in Tonga, Tukino was educated at Auckland's Wesley College.[2]

Rugby career

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Tukino, a loose forward and lock, trained at the New Zealand Rugby Academy and played most of his provincial rugby at Counties Manukau. He competed with the Chiefs in the Super 12 from 1999 to 2001. After taking some time away from the sport for personal reasons, Tukino returned to professional rugby in 2003 at Japanese club World Fighting Bull.[3] He played in European professional rugby from 2005 to 2015, with Amatori Catania in Italy, then RC Toulon, FC Grenoble and US Romans in France, where he now coaches.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Kiétaka Talasinga : "Les Blacks" sont toujours". L'Impartial de la Drôme (in French). 15 October 2015.
  2. ^ "Rugby: Chiefs flanker tells of stress in bid for top". NZ Herald.
  3. ^ "Rugby: Tukino takes year out of Super 12". NZ Herald. 22 November 2001.
  4. ^ "Rugby - Koula Tukino, l'homme qui peaufine les collisions à l'ASM Clermont". La Montagne (in French). 19 April 2024.