Tony Puletua
Encyclopedia
Anthony Puletua (born 25 June 1979 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a New Zealand professional rugby league
footballer for St. Helens in the European Super League
. A New Zealand
and Samoan
international, Puletua previously played for the Penrith Panthers
in the National Rugby League
competition. He primarily plays in the second row.
in the 2003 NRL Grand final
.
Puletua's brother, Frank
, also played for the Penrith Panthers, retiring from professional rugby league on April 2011.
until the end of the 2009 season. He was also a target for the St. George Illawarra Dragons.
.
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
.
against England
at Headingley on 10
June 2011.
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 for St. Helens in the European Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
. A New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
and Samoan
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...
international, Puletua previously played for the Penrith Panthers
Penrith Panthers
The Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan...
in the 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...
competition. He primarily plays in the second row.
Penrith Panthers
Puletua made his debut for the Penrith Panthers in 1997 and was captain of the team from January, 2006. He played at second row in the Panthers team which defeated the Sydney RoostersSydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
in the 2003 NRL Grand final
2003 NRL grand final
The 2003 NRL grand final was the conclusive and premiership-deciding match of the 2003 NRL season. In what was a contest of Sydney's east versus west, defending premiers and match favourites, the Sydney Roosters played against minor premiers and underdogs, the Penrith Panthers...
.
Puletua's brother, Frank
Frank Puletua
Frank Puletua was a New Zealand professional rugby league player for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League competition. Puletua previously played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs...
, also played for the Penrith Panthers, retiring from professional rugby league on April 2011.
St Helens
Puletua joined St. Helens at the end of the 2008 season on a three-year deal. Puletua was contracted to the PanthersPenrith Panthers
The Penrith Panthers are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in the western Sydney suburb of Penrith. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership, the top rugby league football competition in Australasia. For the 2012 NRL season they will be coached by Ivan...
until the end of the 2009 season. He was also a target for the St. George Illawarra Dragons.
Representative football
Puletua represented the New Zealand national team on 22 occasions since 1998, including the 2000 World Cup. His last selection was for New Zealand against Australia in the ANZAC Test on the 20 April 2007 as a replacement for the injured David KidwellDavid Kidwell
David Kidwell is a retired professional rugby league footballer who represented his country. Kidwell was a member of the 2005 Tri-Nations and 2008 World Cup winning New Zealand teams, which defeated Australia in both competitions' respective finals...
.
Puletua was named in the Samoa 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...
and played in three matches. In 2009 he was named as part of the Samoan side for the Pacific Cup
2009 Pacific Cup
-Semifinals:-Third place Playoff:-Final:-Telecast Details:The Pacific Cup will be shown in the UK, Australia, and throughout the Pacific.*In Australia all matches will be broadcast by NRL.com while the Nine Network will show a one hour highlight package each weekend.*In Britain matches will be...
.
Rugby League International Origin Match
Tony Puletua was selected for the Exiles squad for the Rugby League International Origin MatchRugby League International Origin Match
The Rugby League International Origin Match is an annual rugby league fixture between the English national side and an Exiles side consisting of foreign players currently playing in the English Super League competition. The match was held for the first time at Headingley Carnegie Stadium in Leeds...
against England
England national rugby league team
The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...
at Headingley on 10
June 2011.
Career highlights
- First Grade Debut: 1997 - Round 10, Penrith v Perth Reds at the WACAWACA GroundThe WACA is a sports stadium in Perth, Western Australia. WACA are the initials of its owners and operators, the Western Australian Cricket Association....
, 4 May - Representative Debut: 1998 - Australia vs New Zealand, Suncorp StadiumSuncorp StadiumLang Park is the original name of the site located in the Brisbane suburb of Milton, Queensland, Australia, now occupied by the major sports facility known by its sponsorship name, Suncorp Stadium...
, 9 October - Premierships: 2003 - member of the Grand final winning Panthers team that defeated the Sydney RoostersSydney RoostersThe Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
, 18–6