Antonio Kaufusi
Encyclopedia
Antonio Kaufusi is a Tongan-Australian professional rugby league
footballer currently playing for the London Broncos
of the English 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
. Kaufusi primarily plays at prop.
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. He played in the 2008 NRL Grand Final defeat to Manly.
signed Kaufusi on a large contract. His stint with the Cowboys was short though, being released a year later.
to join the Newcastle Knights
for the rest of 2010 and a further 2 years. He made a winning debut for the Knights in Round 18 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
in the English Super League after 2012 Knights coach Wayne Bennett released him from his contract a year early.
He was named in the Tonga squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer currently playing for the London Broncos
London Broncos
London Broncos are a professional rugby league football club based in London, England. The club has competed in the Super League competition since its introduction in 1996...
of the English Super League. An Australian and Tongan international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he previously played for the Melbourne Storm
Melbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
, North Queensland Cowboys
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
and more recently the Newcastle Knights
Newcastle Knights
The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in Australasia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
. Kaufusi primarily plays at prop.
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
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
, 15–8.
A serious knee injury prevented Kaufusi from participating in the Storm's victorious 2007 premiership winning team. He played in the 2008 NRL Grand Final defeat to Manly.
Cowboys
In 2009, the North Queensland CowboysNorth Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
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 CowboysNorth Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
to join the Newcastle Knights
Newcastle Knights
The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in Australasia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
for the rest of 2010 and a further 2 years. 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 BroncosLondon Broncos
London Broncos are a professional rugby league football club based in London, England. The club has competed in the Super League competition since its introduction in 1996...
in the English Super League after 2012 Knights coach Wayne Bennett released him from his contract a year early.
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
2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
.
Career highlights
- Junior Club: Brothers (Bundaberg)
- First XV Undefeated Premiership: Nudgee College (Brisbane) 2002
- First Grade Debut: Round 22, Melbourne v Bulldogs at Sydney ShowgroundSydney Showground (Homebush Bay)The Sydney Showground is a purpose built venue used each year for the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Located at Sydney Olympic Park in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, it was opened in 1998, as a venue for the 2000 Summer Olympics and to replace the ageing old Sydney Showground at Moore Park...
, August 10, 2003 - State of Origin Debut: Game One, Series 2007 for Queensland