Samoan former player Pingi Tala’apitaga coached in Major League Rugby during the 2026 season. He served as Assistant Coach for the New England Free Jacks.

Born and raised in Apia, Samoa, Pingi Tala’apitaga’s professional career started in New Zealand’s NPC in 2010, representing the Bay of Plenty Steamers. A tighthead prop, Tala’apitaga represented the Steamers from 2010-2016, earning close to 50 NPC appearances for Bay of Plenty. Alongside playing with the Steamers, Tala’apitaga also played in Super Rugby with the Highlanders in 2015, helping the team secure their first ever Super Rugby title. In 2016, Tala’apitaga took his talents to France and spent 3 seasons in the Pro D2, representing RC Narbonne (2016/17) and Soyaux Angoulême XV Charente (2017/18 & 2018/19) before calling time on his professional career.

Tala’apitaga has turned his talents to coaching since having up his boots, coaching at almost all levels of the game in New Zealand. He has coached with the then-World Champion Black Ferns, as well as the Bay of Plenty Steamers who finished 3rd in the 2025 NPC. In October 2025, the New England Free Jacks announced the addition of Pingi Tala’apitaga to their 2026 Coaching Staff as Assistant Coach (Forwards)