Tonga internatinal rugby league footballer
Starford To'a|
Born | (2000-06-23) 23 June 2000 (age 24) Auckland, New Zealand |
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Height | 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) |
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Weight | 97 kg (15 st 4 lb) |
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|
Position | Centre, Wing, Fullback |
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Club
|
Years
|
Team
|
Pld
|
T
|
G
|
FG
|
P
|
2019–21
|
Newcastle Knights
|
20
|
11
|
0
|
0
|
44
|
2022–
|
Wests Tigers
|
43
|
10
|
0
|
0
|
40
|
|
Total
|
63
|
21
|
0
|
0
|
84
|
Representative
|
Years
|
Team
|
Pld
|
T
|
G
|
FG
|
P
|
2023–
|
Tonga
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
4
|
|
As of 26 July 2024 |
Starford To'a (born 23 June 2000) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League (NRL).
He previously played for the Newcastle Knights as a winger in the NRL.
Background
To'a was born in Auckland, New Zealand[2] and is of Tongan, Māori and European descent. He attended St Paul's College, Auckland.[3]
Playing career
Early years
In 2018, he moved to Australia to play for the Newcastle Knights, after being scouted by a recruitment manager for the Knights in 2016 at a New Zealand national tournament in Rotorua.[2] He played for the Knights' Jersey Flegg Cup team.[4] At the end of 2018, he played for the Australian Schoolboys and was named man of the match in their first game.[5]
2019
In 2019, To'a joined the Knights' NRL squad for pre-season training and played in a first-grade trial match.[6] In June, he re-signed with the Knights on a 2-year contract until the end of 2021.[7] In round 25 of the 2019 NRL season, he made his NRL debut for the Knights against the Penrith Panthers[8] and scored a try.[9] On 29 September, he will play for the Junior Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos.[10]
2020
He made seven appearances for Newcastle in the 2020 NRL season and scored four tries. To'a did not feature in the club's first finals campaign since 2013.[11]
2021
In 2021, To'a made 12 appearances for the Knights, scoring 6 tries.[12]
2022
In January 2022, To'a was granted a release from the final two years of his Newcastle contract to join the Wests Tigers on a two-year contract effective immediately.[13]
To'a played a total of 21 matches for the Wests Tigers in the 2022 NRL season and scored 3 tries as the club finished bottom of the table and claimed the Wooden Spoon for the first time.[14]
2023
In round 12 of the 2023 NRL season, To'a scored two tries for the Wests Tigers in their record breaking victory at 66-18 against the North Queensland.[15]
In round 24, To'a scored two tries for the Wests Tigers in their 22-30 loss against the New Zealand Warriors.[16]
To'a played a total of 18 games for the Wests Tigers in the 2023 NRL season and scored seven tries as the club finished with the Wooden Spoon for a second straight year.[17] In the end of season internationals, he was selected and made his debut for the Mate Ma’a Tonga team against England, where he scored a hat trick in a 34-16 win.
Statistics
Year
|
Team
|
Games
|
Tries
|
Pts
|
2019
|
Newcastle Knights
|
1
|
1
|
4
|
2020
|
7
|
4
|
16
|
2021
|
12
|
6
|
24
|
2022
|
Wests Tigers
|
21
|
3
|
12
|
2023
|
18
|
7
|
28
|
2024
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
2025
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
Totals
|
63
|
21
|
84
|
References
External links