Career Record for Featherstone
Appearances			Tries	Goals	Drop Goals	Points
Total	Start	Sub
179	172	7	32	0	1	129

The New Zealand touring team played at Post Office Road on 7 November 1989 and won comfortably 44-20; amongst the players who impressed was loose forward Brendon Tuuta. ln less than a year, he was making his Rovers debut at home to Hull KR in the second round of the Yorkshire Cup after his transfer had been negotiated from the Western Suburbs club in Australia. He was an instant success and over the next five seasons endeared himself to the Rovers.  Originally, he came on a short-term contract and he was due to return to Western Suburbs early in 1991, but the Rovers bought out his contract.

Originating from the South Pacific island of Chatan, he had played for the Kiwis against Australia early in 1991 and had earned himself the nickname of 'baby-faced assassin', referring to his almost cherubic features and his no-nonsense style of p[ay. He was tough and strong and undoubtedly played above his weight (5ft 10in, 13st 4lb), but his hard running and ferocious tackling made him a most formidable opponent - and the crowds loved him. Off the field, he was quiet and unassuming.

He was a hard working and committed professional who was always in the thick of the action. He gave no quarter and asked for none. When Rovers were relegated in 1992/93, he was to the fore as they were immediately crowned Second Division champions and also won the Divisional Premiership Trophy final, beating Workington 20-16. One particular incident during that season demonstrated the esteem in which he was held. On 7 October 1992, he was sent off in the Yorkshire Cup game at Wakefield for an alleged high tackle on Jones, the Wakefield winger. He claimed that the tackle was innocuous, but he was suspended for two matches. Still protesting his innocence, and supported by Jones, he appealed and the suspension was raised to three matches. Outrage followed, and the club forwarded sixty letters it had received protesting over the injustice to RL headquarters, but to no avail. It was an unprecedented reaction from the fans.

When his contract ended in 1995, he moved on to play Super League football with Castleford and Warrington, but when he retired from Super League in 1999, the Rovers were happy to welcome him back and he played for one more season. The fire and determination were still unquenched and he played in 24 games. He would have played in more but his arrival from New Zealand was delayed as he caught chicken pox from his children. This popular player certainly has a special place at Featherstone, where his wholehearted efforts were an inspiration to the other players. Whilst his tackling and commitment were awesome, behind the ferocity was a very talented footballer who had an eye for the opening, could split defences with astute passes and displayed some very silky skills. His return for one final year with the Rovers demonstrated that the admiration and affection extended both ways.

Biography by Ron Bailey