The 24-year-old brings the number of Fijians at the club to five while a sixth, defender Isoa Donaldson, was included in Hekari’s original squad for the 2012 O-League but is no longer involved.
Hekari boss Jerry Allen snapped up Tuilau and fellow Fijian defender Hayward Taloifaga in the transfer window and the pair will not be short of company from their countrymen as defender Pita Bolatoga, midfielder Taniela Waqa and striker Maciu Dunadamu were already on the club’s books.
Tailau will had steel to the Hekari defence and should have little trouble adjusting to life in the O-League as he has appeared in the competition before for former side Lautoka.
He has joined Hekari from Labasa, for whom he enjoyed a memorable 2011 season as the Babasiga Lions took out the Inter District Championship title at the TFL National Stadium in Suva.
He also earned a spot in the national squad that made the semi-finals of the XIV Pacific Games last year in New Caledonia.
Tuilau was the second Fijian player to be on the move in the transfer window, fellow Labasa star Samuela Kautoga likewise heading offshore to link up with Amicale.
Defender Kautoga debuted for the Reds in the Vanuatu Premier League last weekend and marked his first appearance with a goal, the opener in a 5-0 win over Tupuji Imere that saw Amicale cement first place in the standings.
He will go head-to-head with former defensive partner Tuilau on Saturday when Hekari host Amicale at PMRL Stadium.
2012 O-League
Hekari United [PNG] vs. Amicale [VAN]
Saturday 18 February
PMRL Stadium
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
Local kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Chris KERR [NZL]
Assistant referee 1: Hilary ANI [PNG]
Assistant referee 2: David CHARLES [PNG]
Fourth official: John KORIS [PNG]
Hekari United: 1. Leslie KALAI [GK], 2. Daniel JOE, 3. Ilatia TUILAU, 6. Samuel KINI, 7. Raymond GUNEMBA, 8. Maciu DUNADAMU, 9. Nigel DABINYABA, 10. Wira WAMA, 12. David MUTA, 13. Andrew LEPANI, 14. Neil HANS, 17. Kema JACK, 18. Eric KOMENG, 19. Koriak UPAIGA, 20. Godfrey BANIAU [GK], 23. Ian YANUM, 25. Taniela WAQA, 26. Bruce KUSUNAN
Coach: Jerry ALLEN
Amicale: 1. Ernest BONG [GK], 2. Rexley TARIVUTI, 3. Young PAUL, 4. Selwyn SESE ALA, 5. Richard ANISUA, 6. Nelson Sale KILIFA, 7. Jean-Robert YELOU, 9. Dereck MALAS, 11. Fenedy MASAUVAKALO, 13. Gibson DAUDAU, 14. Moffat DERAMOA, 15. Alphonse BONGNAIM, 17. Jean-Nako NAPRAPOL, 20. Chikau MANSALE [GK], 23. Samuela KAUTOGA, 26. Alick MAEMAE, 33. Joel NAKAPUE [GK]
Coach: Luke EROI

Share