Motu Tony
Encyclopedia
Iosefo Motu Tony is a Samoan-New Zealand professional rugby league
footballer who currently plays for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
and previously played for Hull and Whitehaven
. His usual playing position is , although he can also play on the wing, centre, stand off and hooker.
where he played for the First XIII rugby league team. He played for the Richmond Bulldogs in the Auckland Rugby League
competition before being signed by the New Zealand Warriors
. He toured Australia with the New Zealand Residents in 2000.
in 2001. He went on to play 55 games for the club, including the 2002 National Rugby League
grand final. In 2004 he moved to the Brisbane Broncos
but only played in three games for the club before leaving and joining the Castleford Tigers
. In 2005 he joined Hull.
He played in 109 games for Hull before crossing codes to play for National 2 (North) Rugby Union club Hull RUFC
. Following the end of the Rugby union
season Tony signed for Whitehaven
.
In July 2010 it was announced that Tony had signed for a 1 month trial with Championship
union side Nottingham Rugby.
On 28 October 2010, super league club Wakefield announced the signing of Tony. On the 12th of June, Tony made his debut for the Wildcats at Fullback in their 13-10 home victory over Huddersfield
, beating Australia in the final 24 -0.
In 2008 he chose to represent Samoa
and was named in the Samoa training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
but withdrew due to injury.
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 who currently plays for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
and previously played for Hull and Whitehaven
Whitehaven RLFC
Whitehaven RLFC is a rugby league club playing in Whitehaven in West Cumbria. They play in Co-operative Championship. Their stadium is called the Recreation Ground...
. His usual playing position is , although he can also play on the wing, centre, stand off and hooker.
Early years
Tony attended De La Salle CollegeDe La Salle College, Mangere East
De La Salle College is an integrated Catholic secondary boys' school Auckland, New Zealand. Established in 1953 by the De La Salle Brothers, it continues to educate young men in the Catholic faith and Christian values. Students are encouraged to develop every aspect of their person and a strong...
where he played for the First XIII rugby league team. He played for the Richmond Bulldogs in the Auckland Rugby League
Auckland Rugby League
The Auckland Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It is responsible for rugby league in the region and was the owner of Carlaw Park, once the "spiritual home of rugby league in New Zealand".-History:The Auckland Rugby League was...
competition before being signed by the New Zealand Warriors
New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
. He toured Australia with the New Zealand Residents in 2000.
Playing career
Tony made his professional debut for the New Zealand WarriorsNew Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
in 2001. He went on to play 55 games for the club, including the 2002 National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
grand final. In 2004 he moved to 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...
but only played in three games for the club before leaving and joining the Castleford Tigers
Castleford Tigers
Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'...
. In 2005 he joined Hull.
He played in 109 games for Hull before crossing codes to play for National 2 (North) Rugby Union club Hull RUFC
Hull RUFC
Hull RUFC are a rugby union club based in Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England.Hull RUFC play in National Division 2 North.They are currently based at Hull YPI having relocated there for the 2009–2010 season.-Roll of honour:-Notable players:...
. Following the end of the Rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
season Tony signed for Whitehaven
Whitehaven RLFC
Whitehaven RLFC is a rugby league club playing in Whitehaven in West Cumbria. They play in Co-operative Championship. Their stadium is called the Recreation Ground...
.
In July 2010 it was announced that Tony had signed for a 1 month trial with Championship
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
union side Nottingham Rugby.
On 28 October 2010, super league club Wakefield announced the signing of Tony. On the 12th of June, Tony made his debut for the Wildcats at Fullback in their 13-10 home victory over Huddersfield
Representative career
Tony represented the New Zealand Kiwis 18 times between 2001 and 2006. He was part of the New Zealand side that won the Gillette Tri-Nations in 20052005 Rugby League Tri-Nations
New Zealand 38 defeated Australia 28 New Zealand 38 (C. Toopi 3, N. Cayless, N. Vangana, B. Webb tries; S. Jones 7 goals) defeated Australia 28 New Zealand 38 (C. Toopi 3, N. Cayless, N. Vangana, B. Webb tries; S. Jones 7 goals) defeated Australia 28 (B. Tate 2, M.Gasnier 2, M. King, A. Johns...
, beating Australia in the final 24 -0.
In 2008 he chose to represent Samoa
Samoa national rugby league team
-Notable Players & Coaches:* John Ackland * Steve Kaiser Coach 1990 - 1994* Steve Kaiser 1986* Afi Ah Koui 1986* Andrew Ah Koui 1986* George Apelu 1986* Fa'ausu Afoa circa-1995* Wing Afoa 1990 - 1994* Isaak Ah Mau circa-2006...
and was named in the Samoa training 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...
but withdrew due to injury.