Versatile Tongan forward Semisi Paea played in Major League Rugby during the 2023 season. He represented the New England Free Jacks for his entire MLR career. He is a test-capped flanker and represented Tonga at the Rugby World Cup in France in 2023.

Paea is a capped Tongan International, earning his first cap for his country in 2019. Paea is a regular in New Zealand’s NPC, having played with the Bay of Plenty Steamers where Free Jacks’ head coach Mike Rogers served as an assistant. Paea appeared in 13 of New England’s 18 games in 2023, scoring 1 try and recording 85 successful tackles. Paea finished his debut MLR season as a Champion, lifting the shield with the Free Jacks following a 24-25 victory over the San Diego Legion in Chicago.

On July 20th, 2023, Paea was included in the Bay of Plenty Steamers squad once more for their 2023 NPC Campaign, and on 8th November 2023 was announced as a part of the Moana Pasifika squad for their 2024 Super Rugby Campaign, ruling him out of that year’s MLR season.

Achievements:

• 2023 MLR Champion – NE Free Jacks