Joe Tuineau

Joseph Mark Laifone Tuineau (born 18 August 1981) is a Tonga international rugby union footballer.

Tuineau was a rugby and track star at King's College in Auckland but dropped the sport for several years to pursue a career in American football.

He didn't make his debut until the team's 6th match of the season, but an injury to starting lock Tom Donnelly saw an increase in playing time, and he appeared as a substitute in 7 of the final 8 games of the year.

In the leadup to the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Tuineau declared his intention to represent Tonga, and made his debut against Fiji on 2 July 2011.

After weighing up his options in 2008 he returned to New Zealand to pursue a rugby union career and signed a two-year deal Southland.