Harlequins sign Australian duo of Shane Rodney and Antonio Kaufusi - Rugby League
London based English Rugby League club, Harlequins Rugby League, has announced the signing of the Australian duo of Shane Rodney and Antonio Kaufusi to strengthen their squad for next season.
Officials at the club have confirmed the signing of the Australian forwards duo of Rodney and Kaufusi on a long-term contract, in a statement released on their website on Thursday, August 18. The Harlequins stated that they handed over a three-year deal
to the pair of Rodney and Kaufusi, which will keep them at the club to the end of the 2014 season.
Harlequins Rugby League (Harlequins RL) head coach, Rob Powell, has expressed his delight on the signing of the front row tandem.
The 28-year-old Shane Rodney will join the Harlequins RL, from the Australian National Rugby League (NRL) outfit, Manly Sea Eagles. New South Wales born Rodney started his professional Rugby League career, with Penrith Panthers in 2002. He remained there
until the end of the 2008 season and has made 79 appearances for the Panthers. In 2009, Rodney joined Manly Sea Eagles and has made over 40 appearances for Eagles and has scored over 44 points for them.
Commenting on Rodney, Powell said, "Shane is an experienced player with a lot of games under his belt including a Grand Final win. He is also a decent defender and will provide good strike on an edge."
The Tonga born Kaufusi is a versatile forwards player and has the skills and abilities to play at both second row and back row forward positions. He started his professional Rugby League career with the NRL outfit, Melbourne Storm. He remained with Storms
until the end of the 2008 season and made 78 appearances for them.
In 2009, the 26-year-old Kaufusi signed a one year deal with Queensland. During his one season stay with Queensland he made 33 appearances for them and scored eight points. In 2010, Kaufusi, joined the Super League outfit, Newcastle Knights, on a two-year
deal. He has made over 29 appearances for Knights in both Super League and Challenge cup competitions. Kaufusi has represented the national Rugby League sides from Australia and Tonga in 2006 and in 2008 respectively.
Commenting on acquiring the services of dual international Kaufusi, Powell said, “Antonio has been played some of the best football of his career this season for Newcastle Knights - the sort of form that saw him play for Australia a few years ago. He is
a big explosive prop and will add a lot to our pack.”
The agreement of the new deal has brought the total number of Quins’ signing for next season’s campaign to five.
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