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by | Mar 27, 2018 | Calanthe

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Lorenzo Ma'afu (born 13 November 1987) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who last played for the Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup. He primarily played second-row. Ma'afu is of Tongan descent. Ma'afu was well known for overcoming much adversity to make it into the NRL.[2]

Early life

Born in New Zealand, before moving to Australia. Ma'afu played his junior football for the East Hills Bulldogs in Australia before being signed by Canterbury.

Canterbury-Bankstown

In round 9 of the 2008 NRL season he made his NRL debut for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs against the Penrith Panthers. He made one further appearance for Canterbury which came in round 12 against Melbourne which Canterbury lost 46-0.

Ipswich Jets

In 2009, he joined the Ipswich Jets in the Intrust Super Cup.[3]

2012-14

At the start of 2012, Ma'afu was close to joining NRL club, the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles but nothing eventuated as Sea Eagles recruitment manager, Noel Cleal, who wanted to sign him, went to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs before anything was finalized. Ma'afu was invited to do pre-season training with the Gold Coast Titans.[4]

In June 2012, Ma'afu was invited to come down for a week to train with the Newcastle Knights at the request of Knights coach Wayne Bennett in order to possibly gain a contract.[5]

In September 2012, Ma'afu signed a two-year contract with the Parramatta Eels.[6]

Townsville Blackhawks

In 2015, Ma'afu joined Townsville and played two seasons with the club.

Burleigh Bears

In 2017, Ma'afu joined Burleigh and made 12 appearances during the 2017 season.[7]

Later career

In 2021, it was reported that Ma'afu was playing for the Mudgeeraba Redbacks in the local Gold Coast A-Grade competition.

Controversy

In 2010, he was banned from the sport for 15 months after his drink was spiked with ecstasy and another recreational drug. Ma'afu's ban expired on 1 February 2011 and he returned to play for the Jets.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Lorenzo Ma'afu - Career Stats & Summary". www.rugbyleagueproject.org.
  2. ^ Herald Sun[dead link]
  3. ^ Jets star Lorenzo Maafu fights suspension The Queensland Times, 18 June 2009
  4. ^ NRL Return likely [dead link]
  5. ^ Jet lands knights NRL[dead link]
  6. ^ "Ipswich Jets Rugby League Team". www.facebook.com.[unreliable source?]
  7. ^ "Player Profile". www.qrl.com.au.
  8. ^ "Former Bulldog has doping ban reduced". The Press. AAP. 19 March 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2011.

External links

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