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Western Force sign Tongan international in ‘key position’ boost
By Finn Morton
The Western Force have signed six-Test Tonga international Feao Fotuaika for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, with the front-rower set to add experience and depth to “a key position” after time with multiple clubs.
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Fotuaika was born in Gisborne, New Zealand, before moving across the Tasman to Brisbane as a 14-year-old. The Sunnybank Dragons junior represented Australia at schoolboy level, before going on to play for both Queensland Country and Brisbane City in the NRC.
The tighthead prop debuted for the Queensland Reds in 2019, going on to play 31 matches for the club, scoring two tries. After leaving Australia’s shores for a 28-game stint with French side Lyon from 2022 to 2024, Fotuaika returned Down Under with the ACT Brumbies.
Fotuaika made 11 appearances for the Brumbies during the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, and was later selected in the First Nations & Pasifika XV squad to take on the British & Irish Lions in a historic fixture earlier this year.
At international level, Fotuaika recently came off the bench for Tonga in a 10-32 loss to Fiji at HFC Bank Stadium. The 32-year-old played 40 minutes of the Pacific Nations Cup clash, which took place on August 30.
“He’s a big strong tighthead prop who we’ve been watching over the years,” Western Force coach Simon Cron said in a statement.
“A key position we have fallen into trouble in over the last few seasons has been tighthead prop. Injury and experience have always tested our depth, so we have found ourselves hunting players to cover front row spots in-season.
“Feao has loads of Super Rugby experience and was a great leader at the Brumbies, so we feel like he’ll add a lot to the existing group.”
Fotuaika started a tighthead prop for the Brumbies in their 2025 season-opener away to the Fijian Drua, before shifting to the bench for seven consecutive appearances, and then returning to the run-on side in round 16.
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In that regular-season blockbuster against the Crusaders at Canberra’s GIO Stadium, Fotuaika packed down alongside Wallabies James Slipper and Billy Pollard. All Blacks George Bower, Codie Taylor and Tamaiti Williams formed the front-row for the visitors.
Fotuaika featured in both knockout matches for the Brumbies, coming off the bench against the Hurricanes in Canberra and the Chiefs in Hamilton. With a wealth of experience, having debuted for Queensland Country in 2014, Fotuaika is an important addition to the Force’s ranks.
“I’m super excited to make my way west to join the Sea of Blue,” Fotuaika explained. “I was rapt when the opportunity came up and I’m keen to experience a new lifestyle over in Perth.
“When I talked to the coaches, they spoke about me being a good fit for the club, adding to the front row and making a stamp on the side. I like to be physical and base my game around physicality and set-piece. Hopefully I can bring that to the Force.
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“I’ve played with a few of the guys and I’m really keen to get over and prove myself.”
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Fotuaika will link up with the Force squad next week as they begin pre-season. The Force will reveal their full 2026 Super Rugby Pacific squad on Thursday, November 6.
