Tylon Targets World Cup

Popular Bridgend Rugby League player Tylon Mafi has recently signed for the South Wales Scorpions and is already setting his sights on playing at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

Tylon is in a fortunate position that very few players find themselves in, he is eligible to play for 2 different countries, in his case that’s Tonga and Wales.

He has already represented Tonga at Under 24 level in the union game, and has played league for the amateur side the Wales Dragonhearts. Neither of these appearances have bound him to either country, so his options are very much open on the lead-up to the 2013 World Cup in Wales/England.

Tylon himself has said “I would be very proud to play at the World Cup for either Wales or Tonga, my initial priority is to establish myself in the South Wales Scorpions side in what could be the most important season of my career to date”

Wales have shown in recent games that they are willing to pick players from outside the top-tier “Superleague” as Tylon’s former Bridgend Blue Bulls teammate Christiaan Roets can testify, “Roetsey” has been an ever-present in the Wales team for the last few seasons, he is the 457^th player to put on the famous red jersey and has already picked up 6 caps. Christiaan has said “I enjoyed playing with Tylon at the Bridgend Blue Bulls, and it would be great to team up with him again for Wales”.

Tylon’s other option is to play for Tonga and follow in the footsteps of his Uncle Mateaki Mafi, who after representing Tonga in the 200m at the ’92 Olympics, was selected for the ’95 Rugby League World Cup, and later became a teammate of current Wales coach Iestyn Harris at Warrington.

If things had panned out differently Tylon could already be an experienced International player. He was a hot prospect when he played for the Celtic Crusaders in their very first game in 2006, but injury sadly halted his progress at that point. However Tylon refused to let that stop him playing the game he loved, and spent 4 Seasons at the heart of the Bridgend Blue Bulls and at various union clubs.

He is now getting a 2^nd chance at the “big time” and everyone at the Bulls wishes him well. Chairman Simon Green says, "Tylon Mafi has been a big part of the Bridgend Blue Bulls team since he made his debut against Aberavon Fighting Irish in 2006 and has played every season since, he has played wing, centre and everywhere in the forwards. He has always been one of our most committed players, a strong runner and good tackler. He plays with pride and passion and it was great to see him selected for the Dragonhearts last year. With the World Cup looming he could now play for Wales or Tonga, whichever he chooses we wish him well and hope he has a very successful career"

Tylon Mafi with Wales Dragonhearts Cap at Bridgend RFC

Adapted for the Official South Wales Scorpions website 28/02/11,
and then published in the South Wales Evening Post on 01/03/11
and the South Wales Echo on 02/03/11.

99 DAYS TO GO - Why I love Summer Rugby League in the Welsh Conference.

It takes a special type of player who, after Eight months of punishing his body and mind with the rigours of playing Rugby Union, decides to spend his summer playing Rugby League!

But that's exactly what over 100 players throughout South Wales intend to do this summer! When the Union season is over, and their teammates are looking for the nearest bar or cheap holiday, this "band of brothers" is looking to "Switch Codes" in order to keep playing the sport they love.

In many cases these are not Union players looking for something to do to keep fit over the summer, but rather born and bred Welshmen who love Rugby League and are desperate for Summer to arrive so they can play the game they love.

The atmosphere in the Welsh Summer Conference is very special indeed, and it's the players that make it that way. There is such a rich mix of all different types of players, who despite their varying standings in the Union game share a deep mutual respect for each other when it comes to Rugby League. Former professional Rugby Union players will think nothing of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with players from the local Youth side, and every "lad" will be given a fair go.



Local Legend Tevita Manaseitava (43) looks on as Huw Rosser (17) makes his League debut.

 There is a real "barbarians" feel to the teams as players from different local Union sides put aside their differences, and spend the summer in the sun playing the game they love.

And for some this becomes an "endless summer" as success in the Summer Conference is already leading to greater things for some players as they progress on through the WRL development pathway to the Valley Cougars, South Wales Scorpions, and ultimately the Crusaders in the Super League.

Jamie Murphy who has risen from the Welsh Conference to the Superleague in just two seasons

There are currently Summer Rugby League sides all over South Wales, from the CPC Bears based in Carmarthen in the West to the Titans based in Newport in the East. Visit http://www.walesrugbyleague.co.uk/ for details of how you can get involved.