Paula Balekana

Paula Balekana
Balekana with the Free Jacks in 2023
Born (1993-05-18) 18 May 1993
Suva, Fiji
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight90 kg (14 st 2 lb; 198 lb)
SchoolKelston Boys' High School
Rugby union career
Position Wing
Current team New England Free Jacks
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016−2017 Gordon 29 (120)
2017 Sydney Rays 3 (15)
2018–2020 Zebre 25 (20)
2021 Houston SaberCats 16 (30)
2022− New England Free Jacks 58 (202)
2023 Hawke's Bay 7 (0)
2025 NorthLand 8 (0)
Correct as of 1 August 2024

Paula Balekana (born 18 May 1993) is a Fijian rugby union player who currently plays as a wing for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby (MLR). He previously played for the Houston SaberCats in MLR.[1]

During his time in with the Free Jacks Balekana helped lead the team to a three-peat from 2023-2025, led the MLR in tries scored in both 2023 and 2025 and was named Major League Rugby player of the year in 2025.

He has also competed in the National Rugby Championship with the Sydney Rays, Zebre in the United Rugby Championship and the National Provincial Championship with multiple teams.

Playing career

Balekana was named in the Sydney Rays squad for the 2017 National Rugby Championship season after having played for Gordon RFC in the Shute Shield.[2] He made 29 appearances for the club, scoring 120 points. Afterwards, he played for Zebre during the 2018-19 Pro14 and 2019-20 Pro14 seasons.[3][4]

In 2021 he was named to the MLR all second team,[5] after scoring 6 tries in 16 matches.

After playing one year for Houston, he signed with the New England Free Jacks, scoring 6 tries in 12 matches during the 2022 season. The following year, during the 2023 season, Balekana led the MLR in tries, with 15, scoring 75 total points. He helped lead the Free Jacks to their first MLR championship.[6]

He finished out the 2023 season playing for Hawke's Bay in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition.[7]

Balekana rejoined the Free Jacks in 2024 and helped the team win another title, scoring 4 tries in 15 appearances (all starts). In the 2025 season, he had a tremendous campaign, thriving on both sides of the ball starting all 15 games he appeared in. During a game vs. the Miami Sharks on April 6, he scored a career high three tries.[8] He had 70 tackles and led the MLR in tries for a second time, with 15, including 2 in the MLR championship game, helping the Free Jacks win a third straight MLR title in the process.[9] He also claimed his 50th cap for the club on April 5 vs Houston.[10] At the end of the season, Balekana was named the 2025 Major League Rugby player of the year, and was selected to the all MLR first team.[11]

Free Jacks' general manager Tom Kindley summed up Balekana's season by stating, "This season, his impact was immense—he consistently came up with game-changing moments on both sides of the ball, drawing on his experience and dogged drive to succeed."[12] Balekana finished out the 2025 season with Northland in the National Provincial Championship.

In May of 2026, Balekana rejoined the Free Jacks in the middle of the season however he only appeared in the final game of the season.[13]

Club statistics

As of 6 August 2026
Season Team League Games Starts Sub Tries Cons Pens Drops Points Yel Red
2018-2019 Zebre MLR 18 14 4 3 0 0 0 15 0 0
2019-20 New England Free Jacks MLR 9 8 1 1 0 0 0 5 1 0
2021 Houston Sabercats MLR 16 16 0 6 0 0 0 30 0 0
2022 New England Free Jacks MLR 12 12 0 6 0 0 0 32 1 0
2023 New England Free Jacks MLR 17 16 1 15 0 0 0 75 0 0
2023 Hawke’s Bay NPC 7 4 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2024 New England Free Jacks MLR 15 15 0 4 0 0 0 15 0 0
2025 New England Free Jacks MLR 14 14 0 15 0 0 0 75 1 0
2025 Northland NPC 8 3 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2026 New

England Free Jacks

 MLR 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 117 103 14 50 0 0 0 247 3 0

Honours

New England Free Jacks

Houston SaberCats

  • All Major League Rugby second team: (2021)

Personal life

Balekana overcame adversity in his childhood: one of his brothers died unexpectedly when he was young, and his father became too sick to work. This would lead to his sister having to work at a young age. Balekana found rugby as an escape, playing frequently and dreaming of becoming a pro. This hard work led to him getting a scholarship offer to play at Kelston Boys' High School, and ultimately led to him becoming a pro.[14]

Balekana is married to his wife, Setaita. The couple have two children together.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Houston signs Zebre winger Paula Balekana". Americas Rugby News. 14 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  2. ↑ "Around the grounds: May 27 club teams". www.rugby.com.au.
  3. ↑ "Both Irish and English interest as Zebre confirm official 2019/20 squad". RugbyPass. 17 July 2019.
  4. ↑ "Le Zebre Rugby Salutano Otto Giocatori Che Lasciano Il Club". 14 July 2020. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  5. ↑ MLR all second team 2021 https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/mlr-announces-all-mlr-teams-2021/
  6. ↑ Deeley, James (7 June 2026). "New England Free Jacks - North American Rugby Database". Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  7. ↑ "2023 Magpies squad release". Hawke's Bay Rugby Union. 5 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  8. ↑ "New England Free Jacks vs Miami Sharks - Major League Rugby Week 8". www.majorleague.rugby. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  9. ↑ "New England Free Jacks' Paula Balekana Receives Player of the Year Award Presented by SportsBreaks". www.majorleague.rugby. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  10. ↑ Gilpin, Oliver (2 May 2025). "Round 12 Roster & Match Preview". New England Free Jacks. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  11. ↑ "Major League Rugby Announces 2025 First and Second All-MLR Teams, and Honorable Mention". Major League Rugby. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  12. 1 2 Gilpin, Oliver (21 July 2025). "Paula Balekana Named 2025 SportsBreaks MLR Player of the Year". New England Free Jacks. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  13. ↑ LaCara • •, Tracy (10 May 2026). "Free Jacks' preseason plans activated for Major League Rugby stretch run". NBC Sports Boston. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
  14. ↑ https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/general/article/From-Fiji-to-Houston-how-rugby-lifted-Paula-16269814.php
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