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The Utah Warriors have added considerable bulk to their scrum with the signing of tighthead prop Kalolo Tuiloma from Counties Manukau. Standing 6’4″ (1.93m) and tipping the scales at over 300lbs (137kg), the 29-year-old could be the largest player in Major League Rugby this coming season.
Tuiloma had a breakthrough year with the Steelers in 2016, starting 10 games and scoring 4 tries during the Mitre 10 Cup season. His powerful ball carrying caught the eyes of European scouts and he signed for French Top 14 club Grenoble later that year, but the deal was cancelled after an MRI showed an existing neck injury.
Another strong showing with Counties in 2017 earned Tuiloma a Super Rugby deal with the Highlanders and he would play 10 games in 2018, starting once. His neck problems flared up again mid-way through the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup season with the surgery following ruling him out of all professional rugby in 2019.
The untimely injury ruled him out of World Cup contention. Though born in New Zealand, Tuiloma’s parents are Samoan and he has stated previously his goal is to play international rugby for the All Blacks or Manu Samoa. Utah will now give him an opportunity to get back on the pitch and press his claims for higher honors.
