Former Counties-Manukau rugby player Tuaefe Palelei, who moved to Australia in 2010 with hopes of a professional career, is set to be deported to New Zealand after serving a prison sentence for drug trafficking.
Palelei, who briefly trialled with the Western Force before an injury ended his rugby ambitions, instead amassed 17 convictions in Australia for driving, assault, weapons, and drug offences, including supplying meth to undercover officers.
Now serving five years in Casuarina Prison, he appealed the cancellation of his visa under Australia’s Section 501 deportation laws, but the Administrative Review Tribunal upheld the decision, citing the serious risk of reoffending despite his ties to his wife and six children in Australia.
