He made his Test debut last year in the Wallabies’ 33-28 victory over Wales during the 2014 Spring Tour, and, having recently being named in the squad for the upcoming Rugby Championship, it seems Tetera Faulkner’s years of passion and labouring in rugby across the country has paid off.
Born in New Zealand, Tetera’s love for rugby is in his blood, learning the gifts of the game from his fellow front-rower father. He grew up in Tauranga, New Zealand where he lived for thirteen years before moving across the ditch with his extended family to Australia.
Taking up residence in Melbourne, Tetera’s rugby career in Australia began when he was called upon to join the Australian Schoolboys side in 2006. He then found himself moving back and forth between Melbourne and Canberra after earning a spot in the Brumbies Academy.
The rewards came early for Tetera who was presented as the ACT Under 19s Player of the Year after starring for Australia again, this time in the Under 19 World Championships.
In 2008 he represented his newly adopted country once more at Under 20s level at the inaugural Junior World Championships. That same year he continued to develop his skills in Canberra as a representative of Tuggeranong in the state’s John I Dent Cup premier grade competition.
Tetera then took a break from the game in 2009 where he spent 12 months working back in Melbourne as a labourer.
It wasn’t long however before rugby opportunities came knocking again, as Tetera was given the chance to ply his trade in Sydney, this time as a representative of Southern Districts, contributing to their second place campaign in the 2010 Shute Shield premier grade competition.
From there he joined the Waratahs’ Academy before signing a short-term contract with the Western Force as injury cover.
Finally given the opportunity to step up amongst the Super Rugby ranks, Tetera made his provincial debut for the Western Australian-based side in round eighteen of 2011.
Never a stranger to a variety of work experience, the following year saw Tetera run on as a representative for Western Force A against the Australian Barbarians, West Harbour and Rebel Rising sides. He also scored eight tries for Wanneroo in the Pindan Premier Grade competition and once again took to the field in the Shute Shield for Southern Districts in their narrow Grand Final loss to Sydney Uni.
He made two appearances for the Western Force in the 2011 and 2012 seasons before becoming a mainstay in the side in 2013. It was a year that saw him cement his spot amongst the Force forward pack, etching 12 appearances alongside his name in the 2013 season, before another 14 in 2014.
A reliable starter and reserve, Tetera’s strength with the Force saw him become one of only a few debutants called into the Wallabies squad for the 2014 Rugby Championship and that year’s end of year Spring Tour, where his international debut eventuated.
Having scored his debut Super Rugby try, and another five pointer in the Western Force’s 10th anniversary season this year, Tetera has once again put his hand up for a potential gold jersey in one of rugby’s most meaningful years for a player.
Enjoying the family culture amongst the Western Force boys, Tetera re-signed with the side in February this year in a deal that will see him stick with the Club for a further two seasons until 2017.
With a wife and two boys of his own, the laidback sports lover has plenty more to offer for both the Force and Men in Gold in coming years.
