Born and raised in Wellington, New Zealand, Parataiso Silafai-Leaana attended St. Patrick’s College (Silverstream), located in the Upper Hutt region of the North Island. He went on to enrol at Melbourne University and thrived in the local club scene of Australia’s most recent rugby hub. Dominant displays in the Victorian Premier Division led to a callup to the Melbourne Rising squad, and Taiso duly made his National Rugby Championship debut against the Canberra Vikings in 2015. Blessed with a low centre of gravity and a destructive running style, Leaana showcased his speed on the wing in his first NRC run-on start, but it was in the midfield that the man with Samoan heritage showcased his true value.

A 25-year old Taiso embraced a French opening with Grenoble, and he thrived in the intensity and physicality of Pro D2. Durable athleticism saw him routinely play a full 80 minutes, but it was his comfort in fulfilling both the inside & outside centre roles that drew the greatest plaudits. Seeking a new opportunity with the ambitious Valence, Taiso played a crucial role in the club’s promotion from Fédérale 1 to Pro D2, where he finds himself as comfortable a ‘route one’ ball-carrier as he is showcasing his offloading abilities.