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Franklin Pele

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Franklin Pele
Personal information
Full nameFranklin Pele Poutasi
Born (2000-12-18) 18 December 2000 (age 23)
Auckland, New Zealand
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Weight20 st 11 lb (132 kg)[1]
Playing information
PositionProp
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2021 Cronulla Sharks 1 0 0 0 0
2023 Canterbury Bulldogs 6 0 0 0 0
2024 Hull F.C. 9 1 0 0 4
2024(loan) York Knights 2 1 0 0 4
2024– Bradford Bulls 15 9 0 0 0
Total 33 11 0 0 8
Source: [2]
As of 19 June 2024

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.

He previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the NRL and for Hull F.C. in the Super League.

Background

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Pele 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

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Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

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In 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

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In 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.

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In 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)

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On 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

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On 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

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NRL

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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

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  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ a b "Franklin Pele - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project.
  3. ^ a b Whittaker, Troy (10 February 2021). "Weighty issue: Pele trades gym for pushbike". NRL.com. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Frank the Tank: Sharks sensation called up for NRL debut". Daily Telegraph. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "Young Shark in Australian Schoolboys squad". sharks.com.au. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Pele to become Shark #545". sharks.com.au. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  8. ^ "Injury Update – Young Shark faces extended period on sidelines". Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Super League move confirmed for Canterbury Bulldogs forward Franklin Pele". www.loverugbyleague.com.
  10. ^ "Hull FC new signing Franklin Pele sent off after horror swinging arm on Elliot Minchella". www.totalrl.com.
  11. ^ "Hull FC learn fate of Ligi Sao appeal and Franklin Pele tribunal". www.hulldailymail.co.uk.
  12. ^ "Hull FC make Franklin Pele decision ahead of tribunal scheduled for Tuesday evening". www.loverugbyleague.com.
  13. ^ "Super League: Hull FC 22-56 Huddersfield Giants - Adam Swift hat-trick sparks rout". BBC Sport. 6 April 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  14. ^ "'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.
  15. ^ Callum Walker (16 May 2024). "Franklin Pele makes short-term loan move alongside fellow Hull FC fullback". Total RL.
  16. ^ "Ex-York Knights loanee Franklin Pele reportedly released by Hull FC". The Press. 18 June 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  17. ^ Daniel Tomlinson (19 June 2024). "Franklin Pele signs for Championship club after Hull FC exit". Hull Daily Mail.
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