Tongan back row Tupou Ma’afu Afungia played in Major League Rugby between 2023-2025. He represented the San Diego Legion (2023-2024) and the NOLA Gold (2025).

The signing of former Tonga U16 and U20 player Afungia was announced in November 2022, joining the Legion from Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand’s NPC competition in November 2022. In his debut season in North America, the 23yo earned 11 MLR caps (10 starts) and scored 3 tries in the regular season, and started both playoff games for the Legion, gaining over 500m and delivering 117 successful tackles during the Legion’s 15-1 regular season and Championship Series push. The Legion fell at the final hurdle, with a 24-25 defeat to the New England Free Jacks in the Championship Final in Chicago.

On 2nd October 2023, the San Diego Legion announced the re-signing of Tupou Ma’afu Afungia along with 6 other returnees for the 2024 season. In 2024, Afungia added 2 tries in 12 appearances (10 starts), setting a career best with just under 700m gained and completing just under 100 tackles as the Legion advanced to the post-season with a solid 11-5 record, but fell to their rivals the Seattle Seawolves in the Western Conference Semifinals. Afungia appeared off the bench in that game, racking up 81m gained. On 23rd October 2024, the San Diego Legion traded Afungia to the NOLA Gold in exchange for 2025 Salary Cap Considerations (unknown)

Achievements:

• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 2
• MLR Runner-Up: 2023 (San Diego Legion)
• MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Rd 9