Born: 30 May, 1988 – Auckland Test record: 0 Tests Tours: 2010 Four Nations
Auckland-born winger Antonio Winterstein earned his spot on the Kiwis’ register after being selected in the 2010 Four Nations squad, though he did not play a match and was not picked for New Zealand thereafter.
Winterstein moved to Brisbane at a young age and came through Logan Brothers’ junior system. After playing for Sydney Roosters at Jersey Flegg level and in the inaugural 2008 NYC season, he returned to Brisbane and made his NRL debut for the Broncos in the opening round of 2009.
The rookie sensation played all 27 games for the Broncos and scored 14 tries, while a solid sophomore season attracted the attention of the New Zealand selectors in 2010. But experienced campaigners Manu Vatuvei, Jason Nightingale and Sam Perrett were preferred on the wings as the Kiwis snared the Four Nations title.
Winterstein linked with North Queensland in 2011 and went on win a premiership with the Cowboys in 2015, as well as playing in their grand final loss to Melbourne two years later. He also played eight Tests for Samoa, with this tally of seven tries including a hat-trick in a pool match win over Papua New Guinea.
Hounded by a knee injury, he consistent and underrated three-quarter hung up the boots at the end of 2018 with 97 tries in 214 NRL games to his credit.
