Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Thretton Palamo to return to rugby

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Former Eagles centre Thretton Palamo is set to return to rugby and is training with the 7’s side after finishing a stint playing American Football with the Univeristy of Utah.

The son of former Samoan centre Arona, after playing for Samoa at age grade level Palamo made his USA debut at the 2007 World Cup in France where he aged 19 he was the youngest player to ever play at the tournament. He was regarded as one of the brightest talents in the US went  onto join sign an Espoirs contract with Top 14 side Biarritz.
Then after a return to the US, he went to the University of Utah and in 2011 switched sports to American Football. However after completing his time there he now appears to have returned to rugby and is training with the Eagles 7’s side.

The news comes as a boost for USA as Palamo is still only 25, has good experience of rugby both in 7’s and XV’s and possesses a lot of power and athleticism. The Eagles last year suffered the retirement of their veteran centre Paul Emerick, whilst Andrew Suniula is now 31 years old. So that Folau Niua has now a professional deal and assuming Palamo will be available for XV’s selection, Mike Tolkin has his centre options bolstered ahead of the World Cup. If the return to rugby goes well, there is a possibility that Palamo could play Canada in his hometown of Sacramento later this year.

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