Against Wasps last weekend, the 31-year-old Samoan almost cost his side a victory by declining to hoof the ball out to touch with his Northampton Saints 22-17 up at the hooter.
In December he escaped punishment following a citing for a “kicking” incident in a 29-10 win over Worcester Warriors.
Most dramatic of all, the softly spoken full-back has recovered from a bout of Covid-19.
“Ah, it wasn’t too bad actually,” he says in a tone that feels too casual for the subject matter. “At first I thought it was just ‘manflu’ but then I got tested and it turned out to be covid. It knocked me down for a few days. My wife got it, but not as bad. I was basically alone in my bed for a little while.”
Whether speaking about his brush with a disease that has killed around 2.5 million people or his love of rugby, Tuala delivers each line with levity. His Instagram feed is a wellspring of positivity and his approach on the field can easily be described as joyous.
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