Ronaldo Mulitalo

Ronaldo Mulitalo (born 17 November 1999) is a professional rugby league footballer from New Zealand who plays as a winger for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League (NRL). He has played for both Samoa and New Zealand at international level.

Ronaldo Mulitalo
Personal information
Born (1999-11-17) 17 November 1999
Auckland, New Zealand
Height190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight95 kg (14 st 13 lb)
Playing information
PositionWing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2019– Cronulla Sharks 87 65 0 0 260
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2019 United States 9s 3 0 0 0 0
2019 Samoa 1 1 0 0 4
2022– New Zealand 5 5 0 0 20
Source: [1]
As of 9 September 2023

Background

Mulitalo was born in South Auckland, New Zealand, and is of Samoan descent. His mother's family is from American Samoa.[2]

He played his junior rugby league for the Ellerslie Eagles and attended Marcellin College, Auckland before moving to Ipswich, Queensland in October 2013. While in Ipswich, he attended Ipswich State High School and played for the Springfield Panthers.[3]

Playing career

Early career

In 2015, Mulitalo played for the Ipswich Jets Cyril Connell Cup side and moved up to their Mal Meninga Cup side in 2016. In 2017, he signed with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, playing for the SG Ball Cup side which made it to the Grand Final. Later that year, he represented Queensland under-18.[4] In 2018, Mulitalo moved up to the Sharks' Jersey Flegg Cup side.[5]

2019

Mulitalo started the 2019 season playing for Cronulla's Canterbury Cup NSW feeder side, Newtown.

On 26 April, after starting 2019 as a development player, Mulitalo signed a contract extension and was immediately elevated into Cronulla's top 30 squad.[6] A day later, he made his NRL debut against the Brisbane Broncos as a late replacement for Josh Dugan, who was injured during the warm-up.[7] In July, he played fullback for the Queensland under-20 side, scoring a try in their loss to New South Wales.[8] In Round 19 against North Queensland, Mulitalo scored his first try in the top grade as Cronulla won the match 16-14 at Shark Park.[9] In Round 24 against Canberra, Mulitalo scored 2 tries as Cronulla lost the match 15-14 in Golden Point extra-time at Shark Park.[10]

In round 25 against the Wests Tigers, Mulitalo was placed on report and later suspended for one match after using an illegal shoulder charge on Wests player Luke Brooks.[11]

Mulitalo played for Cronulla's feeder side Newtown in their Canterbury Cup NSW grand final victory over the Wentworthville Magpies at Bankwest Stadium, scoring a try in a 20-15 win.[12] The following week, Mulitalo played for Newtown in the NRL State Championship victory over the Burleigh Bears at ANZ Stadium.[13]

At the end of the 2019 season, Mulitalo was selected in the United States national rugby league team for the 2019 Rugby League World Cup 9s. He qualifies through his American Samoan heritage.

2020

In round 4 of the 2020 NRL season, Mulitalo scored two tries as Cronulla-Sutherland won their first game of the year defeating North Queensland 26-16 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.[14]

In round 18, he scored two tries in Cronulla's 22-14 victory over the New Zealand Warriors at Kogarah Oval. The second try he scored turned out to be the winner which saw Cronulla finish in the top 8 and qualify for the finals at New Zealand's expense.[15]

2021

In round 12 of the 2021 NRL season, he scored two tries in Cronulla-Sutherland's 38-10 victory over the Gold Coast.[16]

Mulitalo was named to make his State of Origin debut for Queensland in game 2 as a late replacement for Reece Walsh, however, Mulitalo was found to be ineligible for Queensland as he did not reside in the state prior to his 13th birthday, controversially, Mulitalo had previously been selected for and represented QRL Queensland age grade sides.[17]

In round 23, Mulitalo scored two tries for Cronulla in a 50-20 victory over the Wests Tigers. In the second half of the match, Mulitalo was taken from the field with a suspected broken jaw.[18] He played 16 games for Cronulla and scored 10 tries in the 2021 NRL season which saw the club narrowly miss the finals by finishing 9th on the table.[19]

2022

In round 6 of the 2022 NRL season, Mulitalo scored two tries for Cronulla in a 34-18 loss against Melbourne. The following week, he scored another two tries in Cronulla's 34–22 victory over Manly.[20] In round 14, Mulitalo scored two tries for Cronulla in a 38-16 victory over the New Zealand Warriors.[21] Mulitalo played a total of 24 games for Cronulla in throughout the season scoring 17 tries to become the club's top try scorer for the year. Mulitalo played in both finals matches as they were eliminated in straight sets.[22]

2023

In round 4 of the 2023 NRL season, Mulitalo scored two tries for Cronulla in their 40-8 victory over rivals St. George Illawarra.[23] The following week, he scored a further two tries in the club's 32-30 loss against the New Zealand Warriors. At one stage, Cronulla had led the match 26-6.[24] In round 9, Mulitalo scored two tries for Cronulla in a 44-6 victory over North Queensland.[25] In round 18, Mulitalo scored two tries for Cronulla in their 52-16 victory over rivals St. George Illawarra.[26] In round 24, Mulitalo scored a further two tries in Cronulla's 36-6 victory over the Gold Coast.[27] Mulitalo played a total of 23 games for Cronulla in the 2023 NRL season and scored 21 tries as the club finished sixth on the table. Mulitalo played in the clubs 13-12 upset loss against the Sydney Roosters which ended their season.[28]

Statistics

NRL
Statistics are correct as of the end of the 2022 season[1]
Season Team Matches T G GK % F/G Pts
2019 Cronulla-Sutherland 850—020
2020 16120—048
2021 16100—040
2022 24170—068
2023 18 16 44
Career totals 81 59 0 — 0 236

International
Season Team Matches T G GK % F/G Pts
2019 Samoa Samoa 110—04
2022 New Zealand New Zealand 210—04
Career totals 3 2 0 — 0 8

References
  1. Rugby League Project
  2. Whittaker, Troy (10 October 2019). "Ronaldo speaks USA dream into existence". NRL.com. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  3. Riccio, David (24 August 2019). "Mummy's boy happy to swim with Sharks". Chronicle. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  4. "Young Sharks battle for state pride". 21 June 2017.
  5. "Twin brothers commit to the Sharks". Sharks. 7 August 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  6. "Mulitalo elevated into Sharks Top 30 squad". 25 April 2019.
  7. "Late Mail - Update - Dugan ruled out". 27 April 2019.
  8. "Burton stars as Blues crush Queensland in under 20s Origin". 10 July 2019.
  9. "Sharks beat Cowboys 16-14 to break five-match losing run and stay in NRL finals race". ABC News. 25 July 2019.
  10. "Canberra Raiders ruin Paul Gallen's Cronulla farewell, Tigers beat Dragons to stay in finals hunt". ABC News. September 2019.
  11. "Sharks winger Mulitalo faces finals ban". 7News. 9 September 2019.
  12. "Newtown reign supreme in epic decider". NSWRL. 29 September 2019.
  13. "Newtown Jets steal the State Championship with a last second freak try". Sporting News.
  14. "Cronulla v NQ Round 4". www.foxsports.com.au. 6 June 2020.
  15. "Human battering ram seals Cronulla Sharks' finals ticket in thrilling win over New Zealand Warriors". wwos.nine.com.au.
  16. Lucius, Adam (30 May 2021). "'Embarrassing': Sharks slaughter Titans in Coffs Harbour". News.com.au.
  17. Matthey, James (27 June 2021). "Ineligible Queensland star Ronaldo Mulitalo banned from State of Origin II". news.com.au. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  18. "'They cannot attract big names': Ennis savages Tigers as star prop snubs Madge". www.foxsports.com.au. 21 August 2021.
  19. "Papenhuyzen back to best as Storm secure minor premiership". www.nrl.com. 3 September 2021.
  20. "Cronulla 34 Manly 22". amp.nine.com.au.
  21. "Penrith Panthers welcome back Origin stars in win over Newcastle, as Warriors and Tigers' new coaches lose first games in charge". www.abc.net.au.
  22. "Young gun who can solve Sharks' big problem; masterstroke that can't be overlooked: Brutal Review". www.foxsports.com.au.
  23. "Cronulla thrashes St George Illawarra 40-8 as Newcastle, Warriors enjoy NRL victories". www.abc.net.au.
  24. "'I wasn't enjoying my life': Warriors star Shaun Johnson opens up on brutal year". www.foxsports.com.au.
  25. "Cronulla Sharks dominate North Queensland Cowboys 44-6 to move into NRL top four". www.abc.net.au.
  26. "Dragons cop worst ever beatdown from brutal Sharks as Hynes sends Origin message — 3 Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au.
  27. "Trio's nervous wait as Titans face $15m reality; Sharks' unsung heroes star in win: Big Hits". www.foxsports.com.au.
  28. "Sydney Roosters score 'wild' 13-12 NRL elimination final win over Cronulla Sharks, Penrith Panthers beat Warriors". www.abc.net.au.
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