Brumbies wing in Mafi
May 20 2008
Waratahs flyer Alfi Mafi has signed up with the Brumbies for the next two Super 14 seasons.
The 19-year-old winger made his Super 14 debut this year for the Waratahs in the opening round and has played nine matches for the Sydney-based franchise, mainly off the bench.
Mafi, who also played junior rugby league for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, says he's looking forward to being part of the Brumbies from the 2009 season.
"This is a great opportunity to be part of one of the best rugby programs in the world," he said.
"The Brumbies have a great young backline and have shown that they are a side who develop their players and give their young guys a go."
Mafi is the latest recruit to the Canberra-based club that has secured the services of hooker Stephen Moore and lock Sitaleki Timani for the 2009 season.
The Tongan-born Mafi, who is listed at 1.85m and 86kg, moved to Australia in 1997 before going on to play for the Australian schoolboys in 2006 and Australian U19 side last year.
Outgoing Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher says Mafi will bolster the club's backline stocks.
"Alfi's a fast and dynamic young player," he said.
"He's got excellent pace, he's got good feet and he's elusive which are obviously great traits for a player in the back three.
"He'll help give the side tremendous depth in the outside backs alongside guys like Clyde Rathbone, Francis Fainifo, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Mark Gerrard."