Manase Manuokafoa

Manase Manuokafoa‘s Rugby League career spans across both the NRL and Super League. As well as, being able to proudly representing Tonga. A hard working, tough forward, Manuokafoa’s story shows not only his dedication to provide for his family, but that of adaptability and persistence many years.

A Mascot Jet junior, Manuokafoa would work his way through the grades where he would earn himself an NRL first grade debut in Round 5, 2005. Lining up for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a 37-12 win against the Newcastle Knights. It would be start of his first grade career that came during a crucial period of the club, as the Rabbitos would beging to take steps in their rebuild.

During his 15 games in 2005, Manuokafoa would show promise and potential, as well as notching up two tries to his name.

The 2006 season however proved tough for the club, as South Sydney would finish the season in last place. A frustrating year, but Manuokafoa would finish with a personal achievement, getting the opportunity to represent Tonga for the first time, competing in both World Cup Qualifiers against Cook Islands and Fiji.

The 2007 season for the Rabbitohs began on a positive note with additions of Roy Asotasi, David Kidwell, Nigel Vagana and Dean Widders to the squad. Adding more experience and representative players to the team, would see not only the whole club grow, but players such as Manuokafoa would continue to develop. 

The season would be an historic one overall, as it would see the club qualify for the finals for the first time since 1989. Whilst being eliminated by the Sea Eagles, it was a step in the right direction.

The 2008 season would be Manuokafoa’s last for the Rabbitohs, where he’d play in 23 games, before once again representing Tonga in the World Cup in games against Ireland and Samoa. 

Manuokafoa’s final 18 NRL games would see him feature for the North Queensland Cowboys and the Parramatta Eels. 

Then after 89 NRL games, in 2012, Manuokafoa took his talent to the Super League, joining the Bradford Bulls. A club that distant relative Lesley Vainikolo would be a legend of, scoring 149 tries in 152 games.

His start at the Bulls would be a disrupted one after an injury on the second last day of preseason. Originally fearing the worst, it would come back as a ruptured cruciate ligament, meaning he would miss the entire first month. Not letting the setback derail him, Manuokafoa would let his actions speak for themself, as he would return to finish the season strong in the final 25 games of the year.

Manuokafoa would spend three years at Bradford, and in 76 appearances he quickly became fan favorite and one of the most feared forwards in the Super League.

It would be a memorable year in 2015 for the Manuokafoa family, as son Micah would join Kingstone Press League 1 side South Wales Scorpions. A powerful forward in his own right, Micah joined the side after coming through the junior system at Shaw Cross Sharks and playing Rugby Union at Widnes RUFC.

A club that was in need of a dominant forward leader, Widnes Vikings would look to Manase Manuokafoa for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. He would become exactly what the club and fans had been craving, a no-nonsense leader and key member of their forward pack throughout his 43 games.

Manuokafoa would finish his Rugby League career in 2018 following a season in France with the Albi Tigers in the Elite One Championship. 

Manese Manuokafoa ended his career having played 89 games of NRL and 150 games in the Super League. Was a leader among the forward pack, a strong competitor, a dedicated husband, father, and one that would lead a great culture at every club he was part of.