Lopini Paea
{{Short description|Former Tonga international rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2013}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Lopini Paea
|fullname =
|image = Lopini Paea (10 August 2008).jpg
|image_size =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|4|19|df=yes}}{{cite web|url= http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/playerstats/playerprofile/tabid/10898/clubid/13/playerid/263/seasonid/6/default.aspx|title= NRL Lopini Paea|author=|date=2015|publisher= National Rugby League|access-date=28 July 2015}}
|birth_place = Auburn, New South Wales, Australia
|height = {{convert|184|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|104|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|position = {{rlp|PR|SR}}
|club1 = Sydney Roosters
|year1start = 2003
|year1end = 10
|appearances1 = 95
|tries1 = 3
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 12
|club2 = Catalans Dragons
|year2start = 2011
|year2end = 14
|appearances2 = 88
|tries2 = 10
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 40
|club3 = Wakefield Trinity
|year3start = 2015
|year3end =
|appearances3 = 11
|tries3 = 0
|goals3 = 0
|fieldgoals3 = 0
|points3 = 0
|teamA = Tonga
|yearAstart = 2005
|yearAend = 08
|appearancesA = 11
|triesA = 0
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 0
|retired = yes
|source = [https://www.loverugbyleague.com/stats/players/Lopini-Paea/ loverugbyleague][http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/lopini-paea/summary.html Rugby League Project]
|updated = 6 January 2020
| module = {{infobox person
| embed = yes
| father =
| mother =
| spouse =
| education =
| alma_mater =
| relatives = Mickey Paea (brother)
Lelea Paea (brother)
Eddie Paea (cousin)
}}
}}
Lopini Paea (born 19 April 1984) is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who last played for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League. He previously played for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and the Catalans Dragons in the Super League. His preferred position is {{rlp|pr}}.
Background
Paea was born in Auburn, New South Wales, Australia.
He is the brother of Mickey Paea and Lelea Paea. Paea attended Sarah Redfern High School, and played junior rugby league for the Minto Cobras.
Playing career
Paea made his first grade debut for the Sydney Roosters in round 22 of the 2003 NRL season against Cronulla-Sutherland at the Sydney Football Stadium. He made three appearances for the club in his debut season but did not feature in the club's finals campaign or 2003 NRL Grand Final defeat against Penrith.
Paea missed the entire 2004 NRL season but returned in 2005 making five appearances for the club. Over the next few seasons, Paea became a regular starter within the Sydney Roosters team. During the 2006 NRL season, Paea was suspended for ten weeks after performing a dangerous tackle on Melbourne Storm player Ben Cross.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/list/the-longest-nrl-suspensions-in-the-modern-era-sia-soliola-john-hopoate-danny-williams/1w7lxp2xc0ab71buamg3stidrh/|title=The longest NRL suspensions in the modern era|website=Sporting News}}
He played in the 2006 NSW Cup grand final for Newtown who were the Sydney Roosters feeder club at the time against Parramatta. Newtown would lose the grand final 20–19 at Stadium Australia.{{cite web|url=https://www.newtownjets.com/pastSeasons/2007-news/2006GrandFinal.php/|title=2006 Grand Final – Newtown Jets|website=newtownjets.com}}
In the 2009 NRL season, Paea played 21 games as the club finished last on the table for the first time since 1966.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/the-wooden-spoon-to-premier-gold-roosters-run-recalls-league-history-20100921-15lfu.html|title=The wooden spoon to premier gold? Roosters run recalls league history|first=Chris|last=Barrett|date=21 September 2010|website=The Sydney Morning Herald}}
He played in the 2010 NRL Grand Final earning a late recall in the team replacing James Aubusson. The Roosters lost however 32–8 to St. George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium.
Following the Grand Final, Paea joined France-based Super League side Catalans Dragons, where he played until 2014, when he joined Super League rivals Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
In June 2015, Paea was granted a release from his contract to return to his first club the Sydney Roosters for the remainder of the season, however did not see any game time.{{cite web|last1=Mascord|first1=Steve|title=Play a full round of NRL matches in Perth, says Terry Campese|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/play-a-full-round-of-nrl-matches-in-perth-says-terry-campese-20150531-ghdfia.html|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=3 June 2015}}
=Representative=
Paea has represented on several occasions for the Tongan national team with his most recent international games during the 2007 Junior Kangaroos tour, in which Paea also captained the Tongan side.
In August 2008, Lopini Paea was named in the Tonga training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup,{{cite web|title=Tug-of-war over Mason|url=http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/3935853/tug-of-war-over-mason|publisher=Sky Sports|accessdate=8 June 2008}} and in October 2008 he was named in the final 24-man Tonga squad.{{cite web|title=Anderson ruled out of World Cup|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/7658506.stm|publisher=BBC|accessdate=10 August 2008}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Tonga 2008 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paea, Lopini}}
Category:Australian sportspeople of Tongan descent
Category:Australian rugby league players
Category:Catalans Dragons players
Category:Newtown Jets NSW Cup players
Category:Rugby league players from Auburn, New South Wales
Category:Sydney Roosters players
Category:Tonga national rugby league team captains
Category:Tonga national rugby league team players
Category:Tongan rugby league players