Tony Puletua

Tony Puletua

Personal information
Full name	Anthony Puletua
Nickname	TP
Born	(1979-06-25) 25 June 1979 (age 37) Auckland, New Zealand
Height	1.92 m (6 ft 3 1⁄2 in)
Weight	112 kg (17 st 9 lb)
Playing information
Position	Second-row, Prop
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1997–08 Penrith Panthers 211 40 0 0 160 2009–13 St. Helens 137 40 0 0 160 2014–15 Salford Red Devils 26 3 0 0 12 2015 → Hull Kingston Rovers (loan) 13 1 0 0 4 Total 387 84 0 0 336 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1998–07 New Zealand 22 4 0 0 16 2008–13 Samoa 9 1 0 0 4 2011–12 Exiles 2 0 0 0 0
As of 20 July 2013 Source: RLP

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.

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.

Puletua played his junior rugby league with the St Mary's Saints before being signed by the Penrith Panthers. Puletua made his debut 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.

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