New England have added Tongan international Semisi Paea to their roster for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The 23-year-old lock or blindside flanker arrives from Bay of Plenty in New Zealand.
Paea broke into the Steamers side during the 2021 NPC season, having earlier that year made his test debut against the World Cup Qualifier match against the Cook Islands. He was included in the Tonga squad for the Pacific Nations Cup in July and played against Samoa and Australia ‘A’.
The Free Jacks now have four international locks on their roster. Club captain Josh Larsen and Reegan O’Gorman will return in 2023, with fellow Canadian Conor Keys acquired from Rugby ATL.