Antonio Kaufusi

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Antonio Kaufusi
Antonio Kaufusi.jpg
Kaufusi in 2007
Personal information
Nickname Fusi, Big Mama's House, Foose
Born (1984-11-27) 27 November 1984 (age 27)
Matahau, Tonga
Height 190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight 112 kg (17 st 9 lb)
Playing information
Position Prop, Second-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2003–08 Melbourne Storm 78 6 0 0 24
2009–10 North Queensland 33 2 0 0 8
2010–11 Newcastle Knights 33 2 0 0 8
2012– London Broncos 10 3 0 0 12
Total 154 13 0 0 52
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2006 Australia 1 0 0 0 0
2007 Queensland 1 0 0 0 0
2008 Tonga 3 0 0 0 0
As of 28 April 2010
Source: RLP & NRL Stats

Antonio Kaufusi (born 27 November 1984 in Tonga) is a Tongan-Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the London Broncos of the European Super League. An Australian and Tongan international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he previously played for the Melbourne Storm, North Queensland Cowboys and more recently the Newcastle Knights.[1] Kaufusi primarily plays at prop.

Contents

Playing career

Storm

Kaufusi made his first-grade debut against the Bulldogs in 2003.

He played at prop forward in his first Grand Final in 2006, when the Storm were defeated by the Brisbane Broncos, 15–8.

A serious knee injury prevented Kaufusi from participating in the Storm's victorious 2007 premiership winning team.[2] He played in the 2008 NRL Grand Final defeat to Manly.[3]

Cowboys

In 2009, the North Queensland Cowboys signed Kaufusi on a large contract. His stint with the Cowboys was short though, being released a year later.

Knights

On the 25th of June 2010, Kaufusi was released from his contract with the North Queensland Cowboys to join the Newcastle Knights for the rest of 2010 and a further 2 years.[4][5][6][7] He made a winning debut for the Knights in Round 18 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.

London Broncos

On the 18th of August 2011, Kaufusi signed a 3-year deal with London Broncos in the European Super League after 2012 Knights coach Wayne Bennett released him from his contract a year early. He is extremely popular with the fans at The Stoop, where he won Player of the Month for February.[8]

Representative career

In 2006 Kaufusi was called up to the Australian tri-nations squad after Reni Maitua received an ankle injury in the first test against New Zealand.

He was named in the Tonga squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.[9]

Career highlights

  • Junior Club: Brothers (Bundaberg)
  • First XV Undefeated Premiership: Nudgee College (Brisbane) 2002
  • First Grade Debut: Round 22, Melbourne v Bulldogs at Sydney Showground, August 10, 2003
  • State of Origin Debut: Game One, Series 2007 for Queensland

References

External links



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