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Tony Puletua

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Name
  
Tony Puletua

Height
  
1.92 m

Weight
  
112 kg


Tony Puletua Saints Heritage Society


Tony puletua nrl highlights


Anthony "Tony" Puletua (born 25 June 1979) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League. A New Zealand and Samoan international, Puletua previously played for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League competition, primarily as a prop in the second row.

Contents

Tony Puletua Tony Puletua joins Hull KR on loan from Salford Rugby

Puletua joined Hull Kingston Rovers, on loan in 2015 from the Salford Red Devils. He made 13 appearances, scoring one try for Hull KR, and retired on 18 September 2015.

Tony Puletua Tony Puletua Photos St Helens v Leeds Rhinos Zimbio

Tony puletua red card rugby league catalans dragons v st helens


Penrith Panthers

Puletua played his junior rugby league with the St Mary's Saints before being signed by the Penrith Panthers. Puletua made his début for the Penrith Panthers in 1997 and played at second row in the Panthers team which defeated the Sydney Roosters in the 2003 NRL Grand final. As 2003 NRL premiers, the Panthers travelled to England to face Super League VIII champions, the Bradford Bulls in the 2004 World Club Challenge. Puletua played at second-row forward in the Panthers' 22–4 loss. He was captain of the team from January 2006. Puletua's brother, Frank, also played for the Penrith Panthers, retiring from professional rugby league on April 2011. On 4 October 2006, TP was selected to be a part of the Perinth Panthers' Team Legends. Used to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Panthers, Puletua was alongside Penrith legends Mark Geyer, Brad Fitler and Rhys Wesser.

St Helens

Tony Puletua Tony Puletua Wikipedia

Puletua joined St. Helens at the end of the 2008 season on a three-year deal.

Salford Red Devils

Tony Puletua Tony Puletua Photos Photos Widnes Vikings v Salford Red Devils

Puletua joined the Salford Red Devils for the 2014 season. He made 26 appearances for the club in 2014, but was not registered as a player for the 2015 season due to salary cap issues.

Hull KR

Tony Puletua Tony Puletua in legal action with Salford Red Devils BBC Sport

Puletua joined Hull Kingston Rovers mid-season in 2015 on a season-long loan from Salford, and announced that he would retire from the game following his spell with Hull KR.

Representative football

Puletua represented the New Zealand national team on 22 occasions following his début in 1998, including the 2000 World Cup. His last selection was for New Zealand against Australia in the ANZAC Test on 20 April 2007 as a replacement for the injured David Kidwell. After that, he switched his allegiance to Samoa.

Puletua was named in the Samoa squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup and played in three matches. In 2009 he was named as part of the Samoan side for the Pacific Cup.

Puletua was called up to the Samoan squad as an injury replacement during the 2013 World Cup.

Career highlights

  • First Grade Debut: 1997 – Round 10, Penrith v Perth Reds at the WACA, 4 May
  • Representative Debut: 1998 – Australia vs New Zealand, Suncorp Stadium, 9 October
  • Premierships: 2003 – member of the Grand final winning Panthers team that defeated the Sydney Roosters, 18–6
  • References

    Tony Puletua Wikipedia