Toni Pulu Bio
Toni Naufahu Pulu (born 28 November 1989) is a rugby union player who currently plays as a wing for the Seattle Seawolves in the Major League Rugby competition. He previously played for the Brumbies and Chiefs in Super Rugby, and also represented the Niue national sevens team. A powerful outside back standing 1.84 m tall and weighing 93 kg, Pulu has built a career across New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.
Pulu began his senior career in New Zealand and developed into one of the Counties Manukau Steelers’ most reliable wingers before earning a Super Rugby opportunity with the Chiefs. After stints in Australia with the Brumbies and the Western Force, he moved to Major League Rugby, where he continues to contribute as a veteran finisher on the wing.
Early Life and Background
Toni Pulu was born in Los Angeles, California, in the United States on 28 November 1989. He moved to New Zealand at the age of three and was raised in the Auckland region, where his rugby journey began. Growing up in New Zealand, he developed a strong connection to the Pacific Islands community, which would later influence his decision to represent Niue on the international sevens stage.
He attended Dilworth School in Auckland, where he balanced his education with the beginnings of a serious rugby pathway. After finishing school, he joined the Bombay rugby club and played local club rugby in the Counties Manukau local leagues in the suburbs of Auckland, working his way through the grassroots levels of the sport. These early experiences in the Auckland club scene prepared him for a step up into provincial rugby.
Path to Rugby
Pulu’s rise through the New Zealand rugby system started in 2009 when he began representing Niue in sevens rugby. He played for the Niue sevens side from 2009 to 2011, with the highlight of that run being his appearance at the 2011 Gold Coast Sevens. His performances at this level helped establish his reputation as a quick, strong finisher.
His form in domestic club rugby with Bombay caught the attention of the Counties Manukau Steelers, and he made his provincial debut for them during the 2012 ITM Cup. He immediately became a regular starter on the wing, and his strong rookie season helped Counties Manukau lift the ITM Cup Championship and earn promotion to the Premiership. That breakthrough campaign opened the door to Super Rugby and the rest of his professional career.
Toni Pulu Career
Early Career (2012–2015)
Toni Pulu began his professional career with the Counties Manukau Steelers during the 2012 ITM Cup. He became a regular starter on the wing for the Pukekohe-based side and played a central role in their ITM Cup Championship-winning season and promotion to the Premiership for 2013. Across that first Premiership campaign, he scored two tries in nine appearances as Counties Manukau reached the semi-finals before being beaten 41–10 by Wellington.
He went try-less in eight games through 2014 as Counties Manukau finished just outside the play-off places in fifth. His scoring touch returned in 2015 with three tries in nine appearances, although injury limited him to four appearances the following year, when he still managed two tries in Counties Manukau’s run to the Mitre 10 Cup semi-finals. These steady provincial seasons convinced the Chiefs to add him to their wider training group for 2015.
Chiefs Breakthrough (2016–2018)
Injuries prevented Pulu from playing for the Chiefs in 2015, but he was retained in the wider training group for the 2016 Super Rugby season. He made his Chiefs debut in the 53–10 win over the Western Force at FMG Stadium Waikato on 27 March 2016, marking the occasion with a try. Across the 2016 campaign, he played 12 times and scored an impressive five tries as the Chiefs reached the competition’s semi-finals.
His performances that year earned him promotion to the full Chiefs squad for the 2017 Super Rugby season. He continued to play for the Chiefs in 2018, cementing his reputation as a strong, direct winger who could finish off structured attacking plays.
Brumbies and Western Force Era (2019–2023)
In 2018, Pulu became eligible for Australia through residency, despite having previously represented Niue in sevens, and he moved to the Brumbies ahead of the 2019 Super Rugby season. He played for the Brumbies from 2019 to 2020, adding Australian conference experience to his resume. In 2019 he also represented the Canberra Vikings.
He joined the Western Force in 2021 and spent three seasons with the Perth-based franchise through 2023. During this Australian stretch, he developed into a senior leader in the squad while continuing to feature on the wing. He also returned briefly to the Counties Manukau Steelers for the 2023 NPC season, reconnecting with the province where his senior career began.
Seattle Seawolves Era (2024–Present)
Following his time in Australia, Pulu linked up with the Seattle Seawolves in Major League Rugby. As a wing, he has brought international experience, size, and finishing ability to the Seattle back line. His move to Major League Rugby reflects his decision to continue his playing career in the United States, the country of his birth.
Playing Style and Strengths
Pulu is a powerful, direct winger who thrives on structured attacking platforms and strong forward play. His combination of size, at 1.84 m and 93 kg, and pace makes him difficult to bring down in contact close to the try line. He has shown throughout his career that he can adapt his game across different rugby cultures, from New Zealand’s provincial scene to Super Rugby and Major League Rugby.
Notable Events and Milestones
Pulu’s career highlights include winning the ITM Cup Championship with Counties Manukau in his rookie provincial season in 2012, scoring a try on his Chiefs debut in 2016, representing Niue at the 2011 Gold Coast Sevens, and helping the Chiefs reach the Super Rugby semi-finals in 2016. He also became eligible to represent USA Rugby under new eligibility rules.
Toni Pulu Career Honours
Toni Pulu’s most significant team honour came in his first senior season when he helped the Counties Manukau Steelers win the ITM Cup Championship in 2012. That breakthrough title and promotion to the Premiership established him as a player of real promise, and he has since built a long professional career spanning New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.
Super Rugby Highlights
Across his Super Rugby career with the Chiefs, Brumbies, and Western Force, Pulu was a consistent try-scoring winger. His most memorable Super Rugby moment was his debut try for the Chiefs against the Western Force in March 2016, which set the tone for a five-try debut Super Rugby season and a semi-final appearance.
Other Performances
Beyond Super Rugby, Pulu represented the Niue national sevens team from 2009 to 2011, including at the 2011 Gold Coast Sevens. He also featured for the Canberra Vikings in Australia’s domestic competition from 2019 to 2020, adding to his well-rounded resume across multiple rugby formats and competitions.
Toni Pulu Family
Family Background and Rugby Lineage
Toni Pulu was born in Los Angeles, California, before his family moved to New Zealand when he was three years old. His upbringing in Auckland, combined with family ties to Niue, helped shape his identity as a Pacific Islander rugby player and led him to represent Niue in sevens.
Personal Life
Beyond his rugby career, Pulu has spent much of his adult life between New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. Public details about his personal relationships and family life are limited.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Toni Pulu continues his role as a winger with the Seattle Seawolves in Major League Rugby. After a season that saw him settle into the Major League Rugby environment, he is expected to provide experienced finishing power and leadership in the Seawolves back line. His international pedigree from Super Rugby and sevens gives Seattle a reliable attacking outlet on the wing.
The 2025 Major League Rugby campaign is an important one for the Seattle Seawolves as they look to build on their history as one of the competition’s most established franchises. Pulu’s combination of physicality and try-scoring instinct will be central to their attacking shape, particularly against deeper, more athletic defensive lines. As a veteran presence, he is also expected to help mentor younger backs in the squad.
With Major League Rugby continuing to grow in standard and visibility, Pulu’s 2025 season offers a chance to extend a career that already spans more than a decade of professional rugby. His ability to adapt across rugby cultures, from Counties Manukau to the Chiefs, Brumbies, Western Force, and now Seattle, makes him a valuable contributor as the Seawolves chase playoff success.