Born in Tonga, he represents Japan at international level after qualifying on residency grounds.

[1][2][3] Helu was born in Tonga, attended St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch, New Zealand, and then university in Tokyo, Japan.

After graduating from university he signed up to play Top League rugby with Yamaha Júbilo in 2014.

[4] After only 13 Top League appearances for Yamaha Júbilo, which included 3 starts, Helu received his first call-up to his adopted country, Japan's senior squad ahead of the 2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals.

He debuted as a second-half replacement in new head coach, Jamie Joseph's first game, a 54–20 loss at home to Argentina.