After leaving the Manly Sea Eagles, Kelma Tuilagi joined the Parramatta Eels.
Following a disappointing season, Parramatta has bolstered its backrow by signing Kelma Tuilagi to a two-year contract.
To take up the offer, the Samoan international was granted a release from his Manly contract, which appears to pre-empt Josh Schuster’s return to the Sea Eagles’ edge.
Kelma Tuilagi has joined the Parramatta Eels from the Sea Eagles.
Tuilagi had only played one season of his three-year contract with Manly after joining them from the Wests Tigers at the end of 2021.
He played in 17 games for Anthony Seibold’s team, although after a promising start to his career on the Northern Beaches, his playing time was drastically decreased near the end of the season.
The 24-year-old was hurt in Round 11 against Cronulla and missed the rest of the season. He returned in Round 18 and appeared in only one of Manly’s final four games.
Tuilagi scored one try, averaged 73 metres per game, and was involved in one tackle.
Tuilagi’s arrival at Parramatta is Brad Arthur’s first move in response to his team’s poor season, in which they went from being grand champions in 2022 to missing the finals entirely this year.
Tuilagi will battle for a berth in the Eels’ backrow alongside Shaun Lane, Bryce Cartwright, and Andrew Davey.
“We are delighted that Kelma has decided to join the Club for the 2024 and 2025 seasons,” stated Eels football manager Mark O’Neil.
“At 24, we think his best football will be ahead of him and will provide a strong contribution to the squad next season.”
Leave a Reply