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The Houston SaberCats have announced the signing of winger Paula Balekana for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. Originally from Fiji, he follows countrymate Apisai Tauyavuca in making the move from Italian side Zebre and the Guinness Pro 14 to Texas.
Balekana, 27, set a remarkable pace in the Shute Shield with 24 tries in only 29 games across two seasons prior to his move north. He also notched three tries in three games for the Sydney Rays in the 2017 National Rugby Championship. At Zebre Balekana’s scoring opportunities were limited but he remained a dangerous attacker playing mostly on the right wing.
Houston is likely to pair Balekana with returning flyer and USA Sevens training squad member Malacchi Esdale out wide. Newcomer Moa Maliepo joins the likes of Taylor Howden, Thomas Morani, and Matías Freyre as midfield options.
