Quick Facts
AriesBiography
Lopini Paea (born 19 April 1984 in Auburn, Australia) is an Australian rugby league player of Tongan descent who last played for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League. He previously played for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and the Catalans Dragons in the European Super League. His preferred position is prop. He is the brother of Mickey Paea and Lelea Paea.
Playing career
Paea attended Sarah Redfern High School, and played junior rugby league for the Minto Cobras.
He played in the 2010 NRL Grand Final earning a late recall in the team replacing James Aubusson. The Roosters lost however 32–8 to the St. George Illawarra Dragons.
Following the Grand Final, Paea joined France-based Super League side Catalans Dragons, where he played until 2014, when he joined Super League rivals Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
In June 2015, Paea was granted a release from his contract to return to his first club the Sydney Roosters for the remainder of the season, however did not see any game time.
Representative
Paea has represented on several occasions for the Tongan national team with his most recent international games during the 2007 Junior Kangaroos tour, in which Paea also captained the Tongan side.
In August 2008, Lopini Paea was named in the Tonga training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, and in October 2008 he was named in the final 24-man Tonga squad.