Tetevano was born in Tokoroa, New Zealand, and is of Cook Islander and Maori descent. He played his junior football for the Pacific Sharks before being signed by the Newcastle Knights. In 2006, Tetevano played for the New Zealand Under 16s team.
Playing career
From 2008 to 2010, Tetevano played for the Newcastle Knights' NYC team In 2009, Tetevano played for the Cook Islands in the 2009 Pacific Cup and again in 2010. In 2011, Tetevano moved on to the Knights' New South Wales Cup team. In Round 20 of the 2011 NRL season, Tetevano made his NRL debut for Newcastle against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. In August 2011, Tetevano re-signed with the Knights on a 2-year contract. On 16 October 2013, Tetevano again re-signed with the Newcastle Knights on a 2-year contract. At the end of 2013, Tetevano played for the Cook Islands in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup held in England and Wales. On 14 May 2014, Tetevano was sacked by the Newcastle Knights due to disciplinary reasons. Tetevano joined the Wyong Roos in the New South Wales Cup for the rest of 2014. On 1 October 2014, Tetevano signed a 1-year contract with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles starting in 2015. On 2 October 2014, Tetevano had his contract with Manly-Warringah terminated after he admitted in court to bashing his girlfriend on four occasions. In September 2016, Tetevano was named at lock in the 2016 Intrust Super Premiership NSWTeam of the Year. On 1 October 2016, Tetevano signed a 1-year contract with the Sydney Roosters starting in 2017. On 30 September 2018, Tetevano was part of the Sydney Roosters side which defeated Melbourne 21-6 in the 2018 NRL Grand Final. In round 25 2019, Tetevano played his 100th NRL game in the Roosters 16-10 loss to South Sydney at ANZ Stadium. Tetevano made 24 appearances for the Sydney Roosters in the 2019 NRL season as the club reached the 2019 NRL Grand Final. Tetevano was initially named in the grand final team but was then replaced by Jake Friend and missed out on playing in the club's premiership victory. Following the match, Sydney Roosters head coach Trent Robinson gave Tetevano his premiership ring. On 26 November 2019, Tetevano signed a three-year contract with Penrith worth around $350,000 starting in the 2020 NRL season.
Domestic violence conviction
In 2014, Tetevano pled guilty and was sentenced to at least nine months jail for bashing his then girlfriend on four separate occasions. However, the jail time was overturned on appeal. During the appeal Judge Roy Ellis was "impressed with his rehabilitation", and Tetevano's commitment to living "a simple life", while his lawyer argued that he had "no desire to return to the toxic environment that the NRL invites".
