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Adam Coleman
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Key Information
Adam Coleman (born 7 October 1991) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a lock for Top 14 club Bordeaux Bègles. Born in Australia, he represents Tonga at international level after qualifying on ancestry grounds.[1][2]
Club career
[edit]Coleman attended New Town High School in Hobart Tasmania. He represented Tasmania in under 14s, 16s, and 18s. Coleman played under 18s at the national championships and was then selected in the combined states team that lost to Queensland in the final of the division one championship. Coleman was spotted by the ACT Brumbies academy and moved to Canberra in 2010. In 2011, Coleman was selected in the national academy and moved to Sydney to sign with Shute Shield team Parramatta Two Blues.
Coleman earned his big break in senior rugby during the 2013 Super Rugby season when he was called up to the Waratahs squad for their match against the Force. The encounter took place during the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia and the Waratahs were ravaged by international call-ups. Nonetheless, they were able to triumph 28–13 with Coleman debuting as a 70th-minute substitute for Will Skelton.[3]
He made no further appearances that season, and moved west for 2014 and was named as a member of the Force's extended playing squad.[4]
Coleman made his starting debut for the Western Force on Good Friday 18 April 2014 at AAMI Park against the Melbourne Rebels.
International career
[edit]In 2016, Coleman was named in the Wallabies preliminary 39-man squad for the 2016 series against England.[5] He made his debut as a replacement in the third test.
Personal life
[edit] | This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (November 2024) |
Coleman is of Tongan descent and is the son of former Tongan rugby captain Pau'u Lolohea-Afeaki and first cousin of former Wallaby Rodney Blake. Coleman is also cousins with former Hurricane Inoke Afeaki who also captained Tonga, New Zealand All Black Ben Afeaki and Australian women's basketball player Eva Afeaki.
Career statistics
[edit]Club summary
[edit]| Year | Team | Played | Start | Sub | Tries | Cons | Pens | Drop | Points | Yel | Red |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Waratahs | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | Force | 14 | 5 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2015 | Force | 12 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | Force | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | Force | 11 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | Rebels | 12 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | Rebels | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Career | 72 | 58 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 0 | |
Honours
[edit]- Bordeaux Bègles
References
[edit]- ^ "Adam Coleman London Irish Player Profile". London Irish. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "Adam Coleman itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Force 13–28 Waratahs". South African Rugby Union. 9 June 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
- ^ "Force finalises 2014 playing roster". Rugby WA. 9 January 2014. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014. Retrieved 13 March 2014.
- ^ Wallabies squad full of surprises
- ^ "Player Statistics". its rugby. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
External links
[edit]- Adam Coleman at European Professional Club Rugby
- Adam Coleman at Premiership Rugby (archived)
- Adam Coleman at ESPNscrum (archived)
- Adam Coleman at ItsRugby.co.uk
Adam Coleman
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Early life
Youth and education
Adam Coleman was born on 7 October 1991 in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Of Tongan descent through his father, former Tonga captain Pau'u Afeaki, he grew up in Hobart with his mother, Jennifer.[8][3] Coleman attended New Town High School in Hobart, where he played rugby in a division two schoolboys competition, standing out as a 190-centimetre forward known for his physicality. He represented Tasmania at the under-14, under-16, and under-18 levels, showcasing his potential as a lock.[1][14] After finishing high school, Coleman joined the ACT Brumbies academy in 2010 at the age of 18, relocating to Canberra to pursue professional rugby. There, he trained at the Australian National University and made initial club appearances with the Uni-Norths Owls in the John I Dent Cup competition during the 2010–2011 seasons, balancing rugby with part-time work at a warehouse.[14][15] In 2011, Coleman moved to Sydney to further develop his skills through local clubs and the national academy pathway.[8]Family background
Adam Coleman is of Tongan descent through his father, Pau'u Lolohea-Afeaki, a former captain of the Tongan national rugby team who led the side in the early 1980s.[16][17] Pau'u Lolohea-Afeaki passed away when Coleman was 12 years old, but his legacy as a pioneering figure in Tongan rugby profoundly shaped Coleman's early connection to the sport.[18][9] Coleman's extended family includes several prominent rugby players, underscoring a deep familial involvement in the sport at the international level. He is a first cousin to Inoke Afeaki, who captained Tonga at the 2003 Rugby World Cup and played professionally for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby.[3][19] Coleman is also related to Rodney Blake, a cousin who earned 12 caps as a prop for Australia between 2005 and 2008.[3][20] Another cousin, Ben Afeaki, represented New Zealand with one Test appearance in 2013 and had a career in Super Rugby with the Chiefs.[3][9] The Afeaki family represents a dynasty in Tongan rugby, with multiple members achieving professional success and contributing to the nation's rugby development over decades.[21] This heritage provided Coleman with an initial motivation to honor his roots by pursuing international eligibility with Tonga, drawing on the examples set by his relatives' achievements.[17][22]Club career
Super Rugby and domestic Australia
Coleman began his professional career in Australian domestic rugby with the Parramatta Two Blues in the Shute Shield competition, joining the club in 2011 after being selected for the national academy and relocating to Sydney from the ACT Brumbies development pathway.[1] Over two seasons from 2011 to 2013, he made 15 appearances and scored 20 points, including four tries, establishing himself as a promising lock forward and earning a pathway into Super Rugby.[23] Coleman made his Super Rugby debut for the NSW Waratahs on 9 June 2013 against the Western Force, appearing in one match that season.[8][1] In 2014, Coleman signed with the Western Force, making his debut for the team as a starter on 18 April against the Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park in Melbourne.[1] He featured prominently over the next four seasons, accumulating 49 appearances and 10 points by the end of 2017, with his physical presence and lineout work becoming hallmarks of his game.[23] A standout moment came in 2015 during a match against the Bulls in Pretoria, where Coleman scored his first Super Rugby try after a 25-meter run through a defensive gap, set up by a precise pass from halfback Alby Mathewson, though the Force ultimately fell short in a 25-24 defeat.[1][24] His contributions helped solidify the Force's forward pack during a period of competitive rebuilding for the franchise.[25] Seeking new challenges and leadership opportunities, Coleman transferred to the Melbourne Rebels ahead of the 2018 Super Rugby season, signing a two-year contract with the Rebels and Rugby Australia that committed him through to the 2019 Rugby World Cup.[26] Named the Rebels' captain for 2018—becoming the club's fifth skipper—he led the team in 22 appearances across two seasons, though he did not add to his points tally during this time.[27][23] Under his guidance, the Rebels showed improved cohesion in the set piece, but the side struggled with consistency amid broader challenges in Australian Super Rugby.[28] By the end of 2019, Coleman's Australian club career totaled 87 appearances and 30 points across domestic and Super Rugby levels, reflecting his growth from academy prospect to established international lock.[23] His departure from Australia stemmed from lucrative contract offers abroad following the 2019 Rugby World Cup, a decision he described as one of the hardest of his career due to his deep ties to Australian rugby, though it aligned with an ongoing exodus of Wallabies players seeking enhanced professional opportunities in Europe.[29][30]London Irish
Coleman joined London Irish in May 2019 on a two-year deal ahead of the club's promotion to England's Premiership Rugby, bringing his Super Rugby experience from the Melbourne Rebels to bolster the second row.[31][32] In March 2021, amid an ankle injury recovery, the club opened talks to extend his contract through to the end of the 2022–23 season; he remained with the club until its administration in 2023.[33] During his tenure from 2019 to 2023, Coleman made 39 appearances as a lock, scoring 20 points through four tries, with a mix of 32 starts and 7 substitute appearances across domestic and European fixtures.[23] His contributions were particularly notable in the Premiership, where he featured in 30 games and scored a try against Newcastle Falcons on 3 December 2022, and in European competitions, including a try for London Irish against Montpellier in the Champions Cup on 22 January 2023.[23] The 2019–20 season, his debut campaign, was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Premiership suspended from March to July 2020 and resuming without spectators, during which Irish finished 12th after 13 matches.[34] Coleman's time at London Irish concluded amid the club's severe financial difficulties, as it entered administration in June 2023 and was subsequently ejected from the Premiership, leading to his departure to join a French club.[35][36]Bordeaux Bègles
In July 2023, Adam Coleman signed a three-year contract with Top 14 club Bordeaux Bègles, joining the team after representing Tonga at the Rugby World Cup.[37][2] The move marked his return to continental rugby following a stint in England, where he had gained prior experience in European competitions.[1] As of October 2025, Coleman had made 35 appearances for Bordeaux Bègles across the Top 14 and European fixtures, contributing 25 points (5 tries).[23] He quickly established himself as a key starter in the second row, leveraging his physicality and lineout expertise to anchor the forward pack in high-stakes matches. His integration into the team's dynamic, high-tempo style—characterized by powerful scrummaging and expansive attacking phases—highlighted his adaptability to the intensity of French rugby.[38] Coleman's standout contributions came during the 2024–2025 Investec Champions Cup campaign, where he played a pivotal role in Bordeaux Bègles' path to their first European title. In the semi-final against defending champions Toulouse on 4 May 2025, he started and helped secure a dominant 35–18 victory at Matmut Atlantique, with his robust defending and ball-carrying disrupting Toulouse's rhythm.[39][40] In the final against Northampton Saints on 24 May 2025 at Principality Stadium, Coleman scored a crucial try in the 21st minute and earned high praise for his tireless work rate, powering Bordeaux to a 28–20 win that clinched the trophy.[41][42][43] These performances underscored his importance in the team's forward dominance, contributing to Bordeaux's breakthrough success in Europe's premier club competition.[44] As of November 2025, Coleman remains under contract with Bordeaux Bègles through the 2025–2026 season, having featured in early Top 14 matches and preparing for the club's Champions Cup title defense.[2] In the opening rounds, he has continued to start regularly, focusing on maintaining the pack's cohesion amid a demanding schedule that blends domestic and European commitments.[45] His seamless adjustment to the physical and tactical demands of French rugby has solidified his status as a cornerstone of the squad, blending lineout precision with aggressive breakdown work.[46]International career
Australia
Born in Hobart, Tasmania, Adam Coleman was eligible to represent Australia through his birth in the country, marking him as the first Tasmanian-born player to earn Wallabies selection since World War II.[32][47] He received his first national call-up in 2016, named to the preliminary 39-man squad for the mid-year Test series against England.[48] Coleman made his Test debut on 25 June 2016 against England at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, coming off the bench in a 25–41 loss during the third match of the series.[49] Over his Wallabies tenure from 2016 to 2019, he earned 38 caps, primarily as a lock, and contributed 20 points through four tries.[50] His debut series highlighted his emergence as a physical presence in the second row, with Coleman featuring in all three Tests against England that year.[49] In 2017, Coleman played a pivotal role during the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, earning three caps across the Test series, which Australia lost 1–2.[51] He started all three matches, showcasing his growing influence in the forward pack against a formidable Lions lineup. By the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, Coleman had become a mainstay, participating in four Pool D matches: as a replacement against Fiji and Wales, starting against Uruguay—where he made a game-high 18 tackles—and in the quarter-final loss to England.[49] His performances underscored Australia's set-piece resilience, though the team exited in the knockout stage. As a lock, Coleman was renowned for his lineout leadership, often serving as the primary caller and aggressor for the Wallabies, drawing inspiration from technicians like Victor Matfield to refine his set-piece dominance.[52][53] His defensive contributions were equally vital, establishing him as an enforcer who disrupted opposition ball and led tackle counts in key outings, contributing to Australia's forward stability during his international phase. Coleman's final Wallabies cap came on 19 October 2019 in the 16–40 quarter-final defeat to England at Oita Stadium.[49] Having signed with English club London Irish in May 2019, he opted to step away from Wallabies selection post-World Cup to prioritize his overseas club commitments.[29] This decision effectively concluded his Australian international career, though his Tongan ancestry later enabled a switch in allegiance.[47]Tonga
Coleman qualified to represent Tonga through his Tongan ancestry and received clearance from World Rugby under the updated eligibility criteria in 2023, following a three-year stand-down after his final appearance for Australia in 2019.[54] He made his debut for the Ikale Tahi on 23 September 2023, entering as a replacement in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Scotland, which Tonga lost 45–17.[55] During the 2023 Rugby World Cup, Coleman appeared in two matches: as a replacement against South Africa on 1 October and starting in the second row against Romania on 8 October, where Tonga secured a 45–24 victory, contributing to their Pool B campaign.[23] In 2024, Coleman earned two additional caps during Tonga's mid-year internationals, starting against Italy on 12 July (a 14–36 defeat) and Spain on 19 July (a 20–29 loss), where he received a yellow card late in the second half.[56] He was named in the 30-man squad for the November tests against Romania, the United States, and Georgia, announced on 26 October.[57] As of November 2025, Coleman has accumulated five caps for Tonga, bringing his combined international appearances for Australia and Tonga to 43.[57] His experience has bolstered Tonga's forward pack, particularly in the second row, providing stability and leadership as the Ikale Tahi pursue qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup through competitions like the Pacific Nations Cup.[19]Personal life
Heritage and ancestry
Adam Coleman's Tongan heritage stems primarily from his father's side, where his father, Pau'u Afeaki, served as captain of the Tongan national rugby team, known as the Ikale Tahi, during the 1980s and 1990s.[8] His extended family further reinforces these ties, with cousins including Inoke Afeaki, another former Tongan captain, and Rodney Blake, a Wallabies international, highlighting a multigenerational involvement in the sport across Pacific and Australian contexts.[8] Raised in Hobart, Tasmania, after his father's death when he was 12, Coleman experienced a blend of Australian cultural influences and his Polynesian ancestry, shaped by his single mother's efforts to instill family values amid modest circumstances.[8] This upbringing in a nomadic Australian environment—having lived across multiple states due to rugby opportunities—contrasted with periodic connections to Tongan culture through annual visits to his aunt in Auckland, New Zealand, where she preserved family history and traditions.[8] These experiences fostered a dual identity, merging Tasmanian resilience with Polynesian communal ethos, evident in his grounded approach to professional challenges. In public statements, Coleman has emphasized embracing his Tongan identity, particularly following his 2023 switch to represent Tonga internationally, describing it as a profound connection to his roots.[19] Earlier, in 2016, he noted, "Rugby’s brought me closer to my Tongan side," crediting the sport with preventing cultural drift and maintaining ties to his heritage.[8] Tonga coach Toutai Kefu echoed this in 2023, stating Coleman was "very keen to represent the Tongan side of his heritage," underscoring the emotional weight of honoring his father's legacy on the global stage.[19] Coleman's heritage has influenced his community involvement, including sustained family visits that reinforce cultural bonds.[8] On a personal level, it has instilled values of family loyalty—manifest in dedicating performances to his mother and late father—and resilience, drawing from Tongan rugby's underdog narrative to navigate career setbacks like club insolvencies.[3] These principles have guided his professional choices, prioritizing legacy over convenience.[8]Family and relatives
Coleman is the father of a daughter, Fia Florence, born in September 2018 in Melbourne to his then-partner Tonia, an event that prompted him to make a hurried trip from a Wallabies training camp to be present for the birth.[58][59] Following his professional relocation from Australia to London Irish in 2019, Coleman and his family adjusted to life in the United Kingdom, establishing a home in the Teddington area where he described feeling settled amid a community of fellow Australians.[60] After London Irish entered administration in 2023, Coleman relocated to France to join Union Bordeaux Bègles ahead of the 2023-24 season.[37] Any significant injuries sustained during his career have required periods of recovery that extended into personal time, allowing Coleman to focus on family bonding and rehabilitation away from the field, though details remain private.[29] As of November 2025, Coleman resides in Bordeaux, France, with his family, embracing the city's culture and maintaining a balanced personal life amid his commitments there, including a contract extension through 2027 that supports long-term settlement.[61][62]Career statistics and achievements
Club statistics
Adam Coleman's club career spans multiple domestic and professional leagues, with a total of approximately 210 appearances and 75 points scored as of November 17, 2025.[63] His contributions have primarily come as a lock, where he has demonstrated reliability in the second row, accumulating around 15 tries for his points total.[63] Across his tenure, Coleman has started the vast majority of his matches, with roughly 170 starts compared to 40 substitute appearances, reflecting his status as a key forward.[2] He has been disciplined six times with yellow cards but has never received a red card in club play.[63] The following table provides a breakdown of his appearances and points by club:| Club | Years | Appearances | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uni-Norths Owls | 2010–2011 | 24 | 0 |
| Parramatta Two Blues | 2011–2013 | 15 | 20 |
| NSW Waratahs | 2013 | 1 | 0 |
| Western Force | 2013–2017 | 49 | 10 |
| Melbourne Rebels | 2017–2019 | 22 | 0 |
| London Irish | 2019–2023 | 39 | 20 |
| Bordeaux Bègles | 2023– | 61 | 25 |
| Total | 211 | 75 |
Super Rugby
Coleman's Super Rugby career totals 72 appearances, 58 starts, 2 tries (10 points), and 4 yellow cards.[63] He debuted with the NSW Waratahs before establishing himself with the Western Force and later captaining the Melbourne Rebels.| Season | Team | Appearances | Starts | Tries | Points | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | NSW Waratahs | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | Western Force | 9 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2015 | Western Force | 13 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 2016 | Western Force | 14 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 | Western Force | 13 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| 2018 | Melbourne Rebels | 12 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 | Melbourne Rebels | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 72 | 58 | 2 | 10 | 4 |
English Premiership
With London Irish, Coleman made 30 appearances in the Premiership across four seasons, starting 25, scoring 3 tries (15 points), and receiving 3 yellow cards.[63] Including cup and other matches, his total for the club reached 39 appearances and 20 points.| Season | Team | Appearances | Starts | Tries | Points | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | London Irish | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020–21 | London Irish | 12 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 2021–22 | London Irish | 8 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 2022–23 | London Irish | 5 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Total | 30 | 25 | 3 | 15 | 3 |
Top 14
Since joining Bordeaux Bègles in 2023, Coleman has featured in 34 Top 14 matches, starting 32, with 3 tries (15 points) and 3 yellow cards as of November 17, 2025.[63] His involvement includes the full 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons plus partial 2025–26.| Season | Team | Appearances | Starts | Tries | Points | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | Bordeaux Bègles | 15 | 14 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 2024–25 | Bordeaux Bègles | 15 | 15 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| 2025–26 | Bordeaux Bègles | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Total | 34 | 32 | 3 | 15 | 3 |
Champions Cup
Coleman has 12 appearances in the Champions Cup, all with Bordeaux Bègles, starting 10 and scoring 4 tries (20 points) with no cards.[63] In the 2024–2025 season, he played a pivotal role, including in the final where Bordeaux defeated Northampton Saints 28–20 to claim the title, scoring a try in the 21st minute.[12]| Season | Team | Appearances | Starts | Tries | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | Bordeaux Bègles | 4 | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| 2024–25 | Bordeaux Bègles | 8 | 6 | 3 | 15 |
| Total | 12 | 10 | 4 | 20 |
International statistics
Adam Coleman has accumulated 49 international caps as of November 17, 2025, with 38 earned for Australia between 2016 and 2019 and 11 for Tonga since his debut in 2023.[64] His international points total stands at 20, all scored during his time with Australia, comprising 4 tries (20 points) and no penalties, conversions, or drop goals.[49] No points have been scored in his Tonga appearances.[57] For Australia, Coleman's 38 caps included participation in major fixtures against traditional rivals such as England, New Zealand, and South Africa, as well as his involvement in the 2019 Rugby World Cup where he featured in 3 group stage matches (against Fiji, Uruguay, and Wales).[49] His points were distributed across tests from 2016 to 2019, reflecting his role as a forward focused on set-piece and breakdown contributions rather than primary scoring.[1] Coleman's switch to Tonga in 2023, leveraging his heritage, saw him debut as a substitute in the Rugby World Cup Pool B match against Scotland on September 24, 2023.[55] He started against Romania and appeared off the bench against Namibia and South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, earning 4 caps total though Tonga did not advance from the pool stage. He earned 4 more caps in 2024: starting against Italy (July 12) and Spain (July 19), and appearing against the United States (November 16) and Georgia (November 24). In 2025, he added 3 caps in the Pacific Nations Cup, playing against Japan (September 14) and starting in the bronze medal play-off win over Canada (September 20, 35–24).[56][65][66] These appearances were part of Tonga's mid-year, end-of-year, and Pacific tournament schedule, emphasizing Pacific, European, and Americas opponents.[57]| Opponent | Caps (Australia) | Points (Australia) | Caps (Tonga) | Points (Tonga) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| New Zealand | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South Africa | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Scotland | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Italy | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Spain | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| United States | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Georgia | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Japan | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Canada | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other (e.g., Fiji, Uruguay, Wales, Romania, Namibia) | 26 | 10 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 38 | 20 | 11 | 0 |