Career
A New Zealand and Samoan international, Puletua previously played for the in the National Rugby League competition. He primarily plays as a prop in the second row. Puletua joined Hull Kingston Rovers, on loan in 2015 from the He made 13 appearances, scoring one try for Then on Friday 18 September 2015, TP played his final game of a long and illustrious career.
Retiring after Hull Kingston Rovers, Super 8s, The Qualifiers victory away against Sheffield Eagles.
Tony received a Guard of Honour, from both teams as he made his way off the pitch as a player, for the very last time. Puletua played his junior rugby league with the Street Mary"s Saints before being signed by the Puletua made his debut for the in 1997 and played at second row in the Panthers team which defeated the Sydney Roosters in the 2003 NRL Grand final.
As 2003 NRL premiers, the Panthers travelled to England to face Super League VIII champions, the Bradford Bulls in the 2004 World Club Challenge. Puletua played at second-row forward in the Panthers" 22-4 loss.
He was captain of the team from January, 2006.
Puletua"s brother, Frank, also played for the, retiring from professional rugby league on April 2011. On October 4, 2006, TP was selected to be apart of the Perinth Panthers" Team Legends. Used to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Panthers, Puletua was alongside Penrith legends Mark Geyer, Brad Fitler and Rhys Wesser.
Puletua joined Saint Helens at the end of the 2008 season on a three-year deal.
Puletua joined the for the 2014 season. He made 26 appearances for the club in 2014, but was not registered as a player for the 2015 season due to salary cap issues.
Puletua joined Hull Kingston Rovers mid-season in 2015 on a season-long loan from Salford, and announced that he would retire from the game following his spell with
Puletua represented the New Zealand national team on 22 occasions following his debut in 1998, including the 2000 World Cup. His last selection was for New Zealand against Australia in the ANZAC Test on the 20 April 2007 as a replacement for the injured David Kidwell.
After that, he switched his allegiance to Samoa.
Puletua was named in the Samoa squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup and played in three matches. In 2009 he was named as part of the Samoan side for the Pacific Cup. Puletua was called up to the Samoan squad as an injury replacement during the 2013 World Cup.
First Grade Debut: 1997 - Round 10, Penrith v Perth Reds at the WACA, 4 May
Representative Debut: 1998 - Australia vs New Zealand, Suncorp Stadium, 9 October.