Sitaleki Akauola
Sitaleki Akauola is a Tongan international rugby league footballer who last played as a for Featherstone Rovers in the Championship.
He previously played for the Wests Tigers and the Penrith Panthers in the NRL. Akauola has also played for Warrington Wolves and Salford Red Devils in the Super League, spending time on loan from Warrington at Rochdale Hornets, and at Toulouse Olympique in the Championship.
Background
Akauola was born in Manurewa, New Zealand, to parents Siupeli and Christina.He played his junior rugby league for the Manurewa Marlins, and was in the New Zealand Warriors junior system before being signed by the Wests Tigers.
Playing career
Wests Tigers
In 2012, Akauola played for the Wests Tigers' NYC team. "The Auckland Rugby League from New Zealand got me a trial with the Tigers out in Campbelltown. Two weeks after that I had a trial with NYC," he said. He played from the bench and set up two tries as the Wests Tigers won the 2012 NYC Grand Final.In Round 5 of the NRL season, Akauola made his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers against the Melbourne Storm. It would be his only appearance for the season.
On 29 July 2014, Akauola re-signed with the Wests Tigers on a two-year contract. Mid-season, he played a string of games from the bench and in the second row. Towards the end of the season, he played four games on the wing, showing his versatility.
Penrith Panthers
Akauola signed a contract with the Penrith Panthers in September 2015, after not playing any first grade games with the Tigers that year.In 2017, Akauola featured in both the Penrith NRL and NSW Cup squads. Akauola was a part of Penrith's 2017 NSW Cup Championship team, and the 2017 State Championship team, helping defeat the Wyong Roos and Papua New Guinea Hunters respectively.
Warrington Wolves
In August 2017, Akauola signed a two-year contract with the Warrington Wolves starting in 2018.He played in the 2019 Challenge Cup Final victory over St. Helens at Wembley Stadium.