Lorenzo Ma'afu
{{Short description|New Zealand rugby league footballer (born 1987)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Lorenzo Ma'afu
|fullname = Lorenzo Ma'afu
|image = Lorenzo Maafu.jpg
|caption = Ma'afu playing for the Bulldogs in 2008
|position = {{rlp|SR}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|11|13|df=yes}}
|birth_place = New Zealand
|height = {{convert|181|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|100|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|club1 = {{nowrap|Canterbury-Bankstown}}
|year1start = 2008
|year1end =
|appearances1 = 2
|tries1 = 0
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 0
| teamA = {{nowrap|Queensland Residents}}
| yearAstart = 2011
| yearAend =
| appearancesA = 1
| triesA = 0
| goalsA = 0
| fieldgoalsA = 0
| pointsA = 0
|updated = 5 January 2024
}}
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 {{rlp|sr}}. Ma'afu is of Tongan descent. Ma'afu was well known for overcoming much adversity to make it into the NRL.[https://archive.today/20121231030314/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/parramatta-eels-recruit-lorenzo-maafu-credits-sonny-bill-williams-with-turning-his-life-around/story-e6frfgbo-1226489498828 Herald Sun]
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
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.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120221141723/http://www.qt.com.au/story/2012/01/12/nrl-return-likely/ NRL Return likely]
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.[https://web.archive.org/web/20150520202028/http://football.ipswichjets.com.au/news/jet-lands-knights-nrl-bid Jet lands knights NRL]
In September 2012, Ma'afu signed a two-year contract with the Parramatta Eels.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/IpswichJetsRugbyLeagueTeam/posts/pfbid02WsmsXN6tSXWAtBpTJY9Tsgct4ZHrHu4nuDBKXCGncNVgBZb9xtgoU2YZCpmhVLj3l|title=Ipswich Jets Rugby League Team|website=www.facebook.com}}{{unreliable source|date=November 2022}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.qrl.com.au/players/intrust-super-cup/burleigh-bears/lorenzo-maafu/|title=Player Profile|website=www.qrl.com.au}}
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.{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/rugby-league/3478824/Former-Bulldog-has-doping-ban-reduced|title=Former Bulldog has doping ban reduced|date=19 March 2010|agency=AAP|work=The Press|access-date=15 October 2011}}
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- [http://football.ipswichjets.com.au/players/lorenzo-maafu 2012 Ipswich Jets profile]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ma'afu, Lorenzo}}
Category:Burleigh Bears players
Category:Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players
Category:New Zealand rugby league players
Category:New Zealand sportspeople of Tongan descent
Category:Queensland Residents rugby league team players
Category:Rugby league second-rows