Tonga Kofe
| Born | 2 February 1996 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 143 kg (315 lb; 22 st 7 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Portland State University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Semise "Tonga" Kofe is an American professional rugby union player, who plays as a Prop for Leicester Tigers and the United States men's national rugby union team. He previously played for Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby.[2][3]
Club career
[edit]Tonga Kofe played for the Utah Warriors in Major League Rugby during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He made 16 appearances in 2025, including scoring 2 tries, as the Utah Warriors finished top of the Western conference, before losing in the Western Conference final.[4] He was named to the All-MLR Second XV team of the season.[5]
He joined Leicester Tigers in August 2025.[6]
International career
[edit]Tonga Kofe made his debut for the USA in July 2025 in a win against Belgium. He was named in the USA's squad for the Pacific Nations Cup.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Tonga Kofe: Leicester Tigers sign US international prop".
- ^ "Leicester recrute Semise « Tonga » Kofe, un ancien lutteur américain" [Leicester sign former American wrestler Semise "Tonga" Kofe]. L'Équipe (in French). 19 August 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "Rugby : un ancien lutteur américain de 143 kg signe dans un club anglais" [Rugby: Former 143kg American wrestler signs for English club]. Le Parisien (in French). 19 August 2025. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ^ "Utah Warriors Crumble in 33-19 Season-Ending Loss". 21 June 2025.
- ^ "Major League Rugby Announces 2025 First and Second All-MLR Teams, and Honorable Mention".
- ^ "Leicester Tigers sign giant 143kg 'late to rugby' USA international".
- ^ "New Faces as Eagle Pool for PNC Named | Goff Rugby Report".