Watene last played for Halifax in the second division of English rugby league called the RFL Championship.
Of Tongan and New Zealand Māori descent, 'Frank the Tank' signed for Halifax at the start of the 2007 rugby league season after playing for Dewsbury Rams in 2006 and helping them to win their National League two promotion. Watene was named in the dream team after an impressive year. Watene's usual position is Prop Forward however due to his sheer size Watene usually starts off the matches on the substitutes bench and will come onto the field of play later in the match, when his team need a boost of energy which he provides in the form of strong running.[citation needed]
In September 2007 Frank signed a one-year extension to his current Halifax contract, after a highly impressive season.[citation needed]