Player Bio
With links with Bay Roskill, Mount Albert and Point Chevalier, Bunty took up the code late but quickly emerged as a player of distinct promise during his time at St Paul's College, New Zealand's famed rugby league nursery.
He was a standout for the Vodafone Junior Warriors, making more than 60 NYC appearances from 2014-2016 and having a taste of Intrust Super Premiership football along the way. He was on the bench in the NYC premiership-winning side in 2014 and was awarded the Sonny Fai Medal as the club's NYC player of the year in 2015.
Such was his development, he was called up for his NRL debut against Gold Coast as a 19-year-old in 2016. In his second outing, playing on the edge, he scored a double against the Sea Eagles in Perth during a season which was also marked by him making his Test debut for Toa Samoa in Apia.
After four matches that season he became a first-grade regular in 2017, making 17 appearances and winning the club’s NRL rookie of the year accolade. While his preference was to play in the front row, he was used predominantly in the second row during the campaign.
A terrific off season saw Bunty truly cement himself as a front-line player in 2018 when he figured in all but two of the Vodafone Warriors' 25 matches. He relished reverting to his front row role, starting a number of games but mainly being used from the interchange.
Afoa finished 2018 just six appearances short of the 50-game milestone. He impressed as the club's most effective defender and was also one of the team's leading players in the post contact metres category.
Bunty made his 50th appearance as anticipated in 2019 and took his career tally to 64 games. He was again potent off the bench, averaging 90 metres and 24 tackles a game. He was again selected to represent Toa Samoa.
His plans for a big 2020 campaign were wrecked when he suffered a season-ending knee injury during the preseason but he worked hard to earn a bench role in the opening round of the 2021 season.
Also known for his big hair, Bunty comes from a large family of 10 children.
He was a standout for the Vodafone Junior Warriors, making more than 60 NYC appearances from 2014-2016 and having a taste of Intrust Super Premiership football along the way. He was on the bench in the NYC premiership-winning side in 2014 and was awarded the Sonny Fai Medal as the club's NYC player of the year in 2015.
Such was his development, he was called up for his NRL debut against Gold Coast as a 19-year-old in 2016. In his second outing, playing on the edge, he scored a double against the Sea Eagles in Perth during a season which was also marked by him making his Test debut for Toa Samoa in Apia.
After four matches that season he became a first-grade regular in 2017, making 17 appearances and winning the club’s NRL rookie of the year accolade. While his preference was to play in the front row, he was used predominantly in the second row during the campaign.
A terrific off season saw Bunty truly cement himself as a front-line player in 2018 when he figured in all but two of the Vodafone Warriors' 25 matches. He relished reverting to his front row role, starting a number of games but mainly being used from the interchange.
Afoa finished 2018 just six appearances short of the 50-game milestone. He impressed as the club's most effective defender and was also one of the team's leading players in the post contact metres category.
Bunty made his 50th appearance as anticipated in 2019 and took his career tally to 64 games. He was again potent off the bench, averaging 90 metres and 24 tackles a game. He was again selected to represent Toa Samoa.
His plans for a big 2020 campaign were wrecked when he suffered a season-ending knee injury during the preseason but he worked hard to earn a bench role in the opening round of the 2021 season.
Also known for his big hair, Bunty comes from a large family of 10 children.
