{{short description|Tongan rugby union player}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = Winston Churchill Mafi | image = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1980|3|21}} | birth_place = Nuku’Alofa, Tonga | height = {{height|m=1.85}} | weight = {{convert|98|kg|lb st|abbr=on}} | position = Centre, Wing | amatyears1 = | amatteam1 = | super1 = Waratahs | superyears1 = 2004–06 | superapps1 = | superpoints1 = | province1 = | provinceyears1 = | provinceapps1 = | provincepoints1 = | repyears1 = | repteam1 = | repcaps1 = | reppoints1 = | repsevensyears1 = | repsevenscomp1 = | years1 = 2010- | years2 = 2007–09 | clubs1 = Cavalieri Prato | clubs2 = Calvisano | apps1 = | points1 = }}
'''Winston Churchill Mafi''' (born 21 March 1980 in Nuku{{Okina}}alofa, Tonga) is a Tongan rugby union footballer who usually plays an outside centre. He currently plays for the Rugby Club I Cavalieri Prato club in the Italian Top12. He is the older brother of Alfred Mafi.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tongan passes always stick - Mafi reveals secret behind his rapid rise |work=Sydney Morning Herald |page=32 |date=27 July 2007 |author=Jamie Pandaram |via=EBSCOHost}}</ref>
In 2000 and 2001 he played for Penrith,<ref>{{cite news |title=Norths get full worth out of bruised Clayton |work=Sydney Morning Herald |page=43 |date=22 April 2000 |author=Phil Wilkins |via=EBSCOHost}}</ref> before taking two years off to work as a missionary in Victoria.<ref name=DT2004a>{{cite news |title=Mafi is man on a mission as he takes up the calling |work=Daily Telegraph |page=91 |date=15 October 2004 |author=Jon Geddes |via=EBSCOHost}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mafi in rugby heaven - The only Super 12 game this missionary man has been to, he had to pay for. Now he's on the bench - WARATAHS LAUNCH |work=Daily Telegraph |page=67 |date=22 February 2005 |author=Jon Geddes |via=EBSCOHost}}</ref> After playing for Sydney University, he was recruited for the Waratahs for their 2004 tour of Argentina.<ref name=DT2004a/><ref>{{cite news |title=RU: NSW side to field two new caps for tour match |work=Australian Sports News Wire |date=19 October 2004 |via=EBSCOHost}}</ref> Following the tour he signed a two-year contract.<ref>{{cite news |title=RU: Mafi secures Waratahs contract |work= |page= |date= |author= |via=EBSCOHost}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/arid-30174730.html |title=Mafi signs two-year deal |publisher=Irish Examiner |date=7 November 2004 |access-date=16 December 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/rugby/story/_/id/15376203/waratahs-sign-mafi |title=Waratahs sign up Mafi |publisher=ESPN |date=8 November 2004 |access-date=1 June 2022}}</ref> In May 2006 he injured his knee while playing for Eastwood in the Shute Shield final and was sidelined.<ref>{{cite news |title=From bad to worse: injury puts Hoiles in doubt for New Zealand Maori clash |work=Sydney Morning Herald |page=35 |date=31 May 2006 |author=Ben Kimber |via=EBSCOHost}}</ref> He was released from the team in 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=RU: Factbox on the NSW Waratahs |work=Australian Sports News Wire |date=2 February 2007 |via=EBSCOHost}}</ref>
In June 2010 he extended his contract with Cavalieri.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://iltirreno.gelocal.it/prato/sport/2010/06/24/news/rugby-ingaggiato-il-mediano-pino-patelli-e-mafi-ha-prolungato-il-suo-contratto-1.1931966 |title=Rugby, ingaggiato il mediano Pino Patelli e Mafi ha prolungato il suo contratto |publisher=Il Tierreno |date=24 June 2010 |language=it |access-date=1 June 2022}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.ercrugby.com/eng/matchcentre/players_statistics_archive.php?player=68806&includeref=dynamic Winston Mafi] on ercrugby.com
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mafi, Winston}} Category:Tongan rugby union players Category:1980 births Category:Living people Category:Rugby union players from Nukuʻalofa Category:Rugby union players from Tongatapu Category:New South Wales Waratahs players Category:Tongan expatriate rugby union players in Australia Category:Tongan expatriate rugby union players in Italy Category:Rugby union centres Category:Eastwood Rugby Club players