Samueli Naulu (February 2, 1982 – May 14, 2013) was a Fijian professional rugby union player who competed in the French rugby league system for the majority of his career. He primarily played in the positions of wing and center.
Professional Career Naulu was most notably associated with the French club Union Sportive des Arlequins Perpignanais (USA Perpignan). He joined the club’s professional setup in 2005 and remained a member of the squad for eight seasons. During his tenure, USA Perpignan was a prominent contender in the Top 14, the highest level of French domestic rugby. Naulu was a member of the squad during the 2008–2009 season, in which Perpignan won the Top 14 championship title.
His career included participation in domestic league matches as well as high-level European club competitions, including the Heineken Cup (now the European Rugby Champions Cup). He was noted for his physical style of play, a characteristic common to many Fijian players in the European leagues.
Death On May 14, 2013, Samueli Naulu died at the age of 31 following a motor vehicle accident. The incident occurred in Port-Vendres, located in the Pyrénées-Orientales department of southern France. His death was confirmed by USA Perpignan and reported by major sports news outlets, including L'Équipe. At the time of his death, he was recognized for his long-standing commitment to his club and the local community in Perpignan.
International Recognition While Naulu was a professional athlete in one of the world's premier rugby leagues, he did not earn a senior international test cap for the Fiji national team, although some records indicate he represented Fiji at the "A" level (the national second team). Detailed statistics regarding his total career tries and appearances are maintained in professional rugby databases, though some specific match data from his early career remains less widely publicized.
