[4] Filipo failed to settle in Brisbane so briefly switched codes to rugby union before heading home to Ōtara in New Zealand.

In 2008, Filipo returned to Australia, joining the Nelson Bay Northern Blues in the Newcastle Rugby League competition.

[5] He made the 2009 Country Firsts Team, while playing for Nelson Bay,[6][7] which caught the interest of the Newcastle Knights.

[12] For the rest of 2013 and early 2014, Filipo played for the Wyong Roos in the New South Wales Cup and the Limoux Grizzlies in the Elite One Championship.

[15] On 27 September 2015, Filipo played in Newcastle's 2015 New South Wales Cup Grand Final win over the Wyong Roos.

[16][17] In September 2015, it was revealed that he would be leaving the Newcastle outfit after their 2015 NRL State Championship match against the Ipswich Jets.