[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” last=”no”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=””]
Former Sydney Rooster star Paki Afu, now based in Auckland has joined Ellis Rugby as a brand ambassador, helping to promote the brand in New Zealand.
Pakisonasi Afu was born in Auckland in 1990 and his large frame and athletic ability made him perfectly suited for the game of Rugby. He joined Otahuhu Leopards Rugby League as a junior and represented the U16 Kiwis in 2006. A couple of years later NRL side Canterbury Bulldogs had heard about the outstanding forward and he joined the club, making his debut in the Toyota Cup in 2008.
Born in Auckland, but of Tongan origin, Paki was selected for Tonga in 2009 and then made the Junior Kiwis squad in 2010. By 2011, and with his career restricted at the Bulldogs he joined Parramatta Eels and played for the NRL’s feeder club Wentworthville Magpies in the Ron Massey Cup.
It was at the Eels, Afu made a life changing decision – “I got stuck in the wrong crowd and my mindset got away from footy, I started getting distracted by other things,” Afu said.
With his love of the game surpassed by his love of God, Afu gave Rugby League away in 2011 and embarked on a Mormon mission.
Afu was sent to the Philippines, serving in the central region of the Visayan Islands. Life was basic and extremely disciplined. He slept on a thin mattress on the floor and woke at 6am every morning to complete a few hours of study before hitting the streets from 10am until nightfall. That was the routine, except for ‘prep day’, when they washed their clothes and cleaned their apartment.
“We were sleeping on mattresses on the ground,” he said. “Eating rice every day, whatever what we could grab a hold of. I wouldn’t say it was luxury, we lived how the people lived in the Philippines. Ate what they ate, did what they did. It was tough.”
So, too, was shedding the extra baggage he brought home with him.
“I came home off my mission 138 kilos,” he said. “I had to lose a tonne of weight.”
Having not played the game for almost three years, Afu had given up hope of playing at the top level. But, at the urging of his father – “he encouraged me get back into it because he loves watching League, he kept taking me to the park” – Paki soon got the urge to play again.
As time went on, word began to spread about the born-again footballer carving up for the Point Chevalier Pirates in the New Zealand local league. After all, it’s not every day a burly forward is leading the Fox Memorial Shield’s try-scoring tally. Afu’s feats earned him a start in the New Zealand Warriors NSW Cup side.
NRL Club, Sydney Roosters scout, Peter O’Sullivan, the man who discovered fellow Otahuhu product Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, decided to see for himself what the fuss was all about. Acting on a tip from a mate, he flew to New Zealand and watched the “Pakisaurus” tear in against Mangere East Hawks. Shortly afterwards, a two-year contract was produced.
This is the extraordinary tale of Paki Afu, who returned from his Mormon mission to have a shot at the NRL.
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]