Starford To'a


Starford To'a is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a er, or for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL.

Background

To'a was born in Auckland, New Zealand and is of Tongan and Māori descent.

Playing career

Early years

In 2018, he moved to Australia to play for the Newcastle Knights, after being scouted by a recruitment manager for the Knights in 2016 at a New Zealand national tournament in Rotorua. He played for the Knights' Jersey Flegg Cup team. At the end of 2018, he played for the Australian Schoolboys and was named man of the match in their first game.

2019

In 2019, To'a joined the Knights' NRL squad for pre-season training and played in a first-grade trial match. In June, he re-signed with the Knights on a 2-year contract until the end of 2021. In round 25 of the 2019 NRL season, he made his NRL debut for the Knights against the Penrith Panthers and scored a try. On 29 September, he will play for the Junior Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos.