Antonio Kaufusi

Antonio Kaufusi

Kaufusi in 2007
Personal information
Nickname	Fusi, Big Mama's House, Foose
Born	27 November 1984 (1984-11-27) 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	0	0	0	0	0
	Total	144	10	0	0	40
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 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.

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. He played in the 2008 NRL Grand Final defeat to Manly.

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. 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 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.

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

External links

• 2011 Newcastle Knights profile
• NRL profile
• Players to watch – Antonio Kaufusi (Tonga)