His mother was Keta Iongi, a Tongan sprinter who won several gold medals at the South Pacific Games.

Palu sustained a shoulder injury midway through the 2006 Super 14 season, as he came off the bench in a semi-final against the Hurricanes.

Palu started in all three home tests against the British and Irish Lions in 2013, with the series being won by the visitors by two matches to one.

He played a further ten matches for Australia, including one at the 2015 Rugby World Cup,[7] making his last appearance against England in June 2016 to take his total to 58 tests.

However, it's suggested Kearney in fact made the shoulder charge on Palu whilst carrying the ball.