Alex Tulou
Alex Tulou (born 21 March 1987 in Faga'alu, American Samoa) is a rugby union footballer, currently playing in the top French professional rugby competition, the Top 14, for Montpellier. He joined Montpellier in 2011. His usual position is number eight or Flanker.
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| Birth name | Alex Tulou | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 21 March 1987 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Faga'alu, American Samoa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 3 1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 114 kg (251 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spouse | Keyla Tulou | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Career
Alex started his school boy rugby at Hastings Boys' High School in the province of Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. He was quickly identified as an up-and-coming young player with tremendous strength, ball skills and speed.
Tulou started his career with the Taranaki in the National Provincial Championship and the Hurricanes in the Super 14.[1] During this time he had a trial for the New Zealand 7's team.[2]
In 2010 he signed a two-year contract to play for Bourgoin[3] in the Top 14. He played 15 Top 14 matches (9 starts and 6 as a replacement) for the club in the 2010/11 season, scoring 3 tries, and 4 matches in the European Challenge Cup, scoring one try.
Following this he signed for Montpellier to replace Jérôme Vallée after he was forced to retire due to injury.[4] He played a further 8 matches for Montpellier in 2010/11 but failed to add to his try tally.
During the 2011/12 season, Tulou established himself as a first team regular for Montpellier, starting 19 of the teams 27 league games at Number 8 and was a replacement for 5 more. He scored 9 tries, including the team's first try in their end of season playoff defeat to Castres.[5] Tulou also played in his first Heineken Cup matches, scoring one try.
In September 2012 it was announced that Tulou had signed a new contract to keep him at Montpellier until 2015.[6]
Notes and references
- "Alex Tulou" (in French). Archived from the original on 18 June 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
- "Tietjens names NZ sevens trial squad". 27 October 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
- "Le Samoan Alex Tulou signe à Bourgoin" (in French). 20 May 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
- "MHR: Officiel pour Tulou" (in French). 8 February 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
- "La fiche de Alex Tulou (3ème ligne)" (in French). Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
- "Montpellier : Alex Tulou jusqu'en 2015" (in French). 7 September 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2013.