Amanaki Mafi

A formidable presence in the back row, Amanaki Mafi has long been respected as one of the more destructive ball-carriers in the professional game. Born on 11 January 1990, the flanker built his reputation on raw power, charging into contact and consistently making ground through tight defences to give his side momentum. Mafi complements that carrying threat with disruptive work at the breakdown and a heavy defensive game, qualities that allow him to influence a match on both sides of the ball. Now plying his trade for the Newcastle Red Bulls, the experienced forward brings physical leadership to the pack, often setting the tone with his aggressive tackling and ability to win or slow down possession at the contact area. His willingness to take the ball into the heart of the defence repeatedly gives his half-backs front-foot ball to work with, and his presence alone demands extra attention from opposing defenders. A veteran of top-level rugby, he offers Newcastle a battle-hardened edge and the kind of go-forward that gives a side belief in the toughest exchanges of a Premiership campaign, while passing on his hard-won experience to the younger forwards in the squad.