Official Ronaldo Mulitalo

Joined
Apr 27, 2010
Messages
8,860
Reaction score
761
Location
Sydney
Has he? Where's that?
In a few podcasts he's been on he's talked about bring a Broncos fan and living in QLD and one day he'd like to play up there where his family is.

Doesn't at all suggest he's in a rush, but he's off contact in 2023 so the new club might look to bring him up. Lure of playing centre might be there too if that's something he wants and can't get here.
 

Tatus

Not-So-Great White
Joined
Jan 18, 2011
Messages
10,064
Reaction score
751
Location
South Coast
In a few podcasts he's been on he's talked about bring a Broncos fan and living in QLD and one day he'd like to play up there where his family is.

Doesn't at all suggest he's in a rush, but he's off contact in 2023 so the new club might look to bring him up. Lure of playing centre might be there too if that's something he wants and can't get here.
The best thing they could do is try and grab the popular players from every team. That way every club is tuned in to watch them. If Ronnie signed with them I wouldn’t be mad, would be even more interested if he was playing at centre
 

egg

Jaws
Joined
Apr 11, 2010
Messages
12,777
Reaction score
976
This could be messy
But will try copy and paste


Ronaldo Mulitalo declares for New Zealand after Queensland Origin nightmare​

After being mucked about by the Maroons in an all-time Origin fiasco, Ronaldo Mulitalo is set for his next chapter.

David Riccio David Riccio
Follow

@DaveRic1


5 min read
November 23, 2021 - 2:21PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom


NRL

Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Follow
Ronaldo Mulitalo has lodged official paperwork to represent New Zealand — the final chapter in a five-month nightmare that the NRL star has taken till now to get over.
In the wake of having the Queensland State of Origin jersey ripped from his hands, Mulitalo has declared he’s ready to “give everything” to the Kiwis with a clear goal to feature at next year’s World Cup.
“Whether I get selected or not for the Kiwis, I don’t know, but I will always show respect to the jersey I wear,’’ the Cronulla Sharks winger said after meeting with New Zealand Test coach
Michael Maguire. “I’ll be as proud and passionate as any Kiwi.
“It’s been a hard six months, juggling where I sit in terms of all this. “But this is where I am and the World Cup next year is my next goal now.
“I really want to be a part of something special with New Zealand.’’
Watch live coverage of The Autumn Nations Series with beIN SPORTS on Kayo including every Wallabies & All Blacks match. New to Kayo? Start your free trial >
Ronaldo Mulitalo was at the centre of one of the great Origin eligibility debacles. Picture: Josh Woning

Ronaldo Mulitalo was at the centre of one of the great Origin eligibility debacles. Picture: Josh Woning
MAROONS FARCE
In June, Mulitalo was the face of the most farcical chapter in Queensland State of Origin history - an administration debacle by the QRL that to this day, remains incomprehensible.
He was named in the Maroons’ extended squad to face NSW in game two of the 2021 State of Origin series.
An Ipswich junior, Mulitalo had represented Queensland in the under-16s, under-18s and under-20s.
Then, 24 hours out from kick-off of the Sunday clash with NSW, Mulitalo was told his dream was set to become reality after Maroons rookie Reece Walsh withdrew from the side due to injury.
Mulitalo was in the team.
“To many people, they just see Origin as a game, but to me it was something I’d worked my whole life to get into those honours,’’ Mulitalo said. “I slept like a baby that night - and then I woke to a nightmare.’’
Be it when he was originally named in the Queensland under-16’s, or in that moment prior to replacing Walsh, no one at the QRL bothered to check his eligibility status.
Ronaldo Mulitalo 24-hours away from realising his dream to play for the Maroons. Picture NRL Photos

Ronaldo Mulitalo 24-hours away from realising his dream to play for the Maroons. Picture NRL Photos
As per the eligibility rules, players must be born in NSW or Queensland, or live there before they turn 13 to qualify for State of Origin.
Mulitalo was born in 1999 and moved to Queensland in October 2013 – before his 14th birthday.
A last-minute protest from the NSWRL led to a manic few hours on the day of Origin II with the NRL’s executive team making the call to ban Mulitalo from taking the field for the Maroons.
“When I got told, I brushed it away because I literally didn’t think anything could be wrong,’’ Mulitalo said. “But the next morning, I got called into a meeting and I was asked to produce all my paperwork - as though I just carry it around with me.
“I had half an hour to make a decision. I could either play the game and risk losing the match anyway if it was later proven I was ineligible after the match, or I could pull out.
“I was crying in the meeting room on the phone to my mum. Nothing is worse when you know your dream is slipping away from you and this was within hours of the game.
“Luckily I had mum on the phone with me to talk me through it.
“I still get filled with emotion.’’

NOTHING TO HIDE
Mulitalo, who turned 22 last Wednesday, has quickly emerged as a footballer with a conscience and passion to use his status for the greater good of the game and wider community.
Last month, he was awarded the NRL’s highest accolade in this space, the 2021 Ken Stephen Medal – presented to the player who shows outstanding commitment to community and charity work.
Yet, the Origin debacle led Mulitalo towards feeling like people would judge him as something else.
“I was never trying to hide anything. I’ve lived my life to always be honest and the way it all came out, I felt like my character was being questioned,’’ Mulitalo said”
Ronaldo Mulitalo has moved on from the pain of his Maroons eligibility fiasco. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts

Ronaldo Mulitalo has moved on from the pain of his Maroons eligibility fiasco. Picture: Darren Leigh Roberts
“I signed my contract as a junior and it was correct. For me to be able to play for Queensland junior teams, I naturally thought I was eligible.
“Then for my second contract, because I never felt there was an issue and because I had represented Queensland under-18s and 20’, I freely ticked those (Queensland) boxes.
“I felt like I was being blamed for it all. I’m not throwing anyone under the bus, it was just disappointing that I felt like I was by myself.
“We talk about mental health in this game and at that time, there and then, I was only lucky enough to have my Cronulla club and my support system to get around me during that time.
“I can’t sit around and wait for rules to change and wait for a miracle. I hope my situation has helped another young player who is coming into the game.
“I don’t want any kid to experience what I’ve been through.’’
THE PAIN
Although grateful, Mulitalo said he struggles to look at the Maroons jersey he was supposed to have worn.
“I never look at my Queensland gear anymore. I sent it all back to Mum as soon as I could. It’s just a constant reminder of what happened.
“I got my game jersey from Queensland and my family were sitting around the table and I opened it up and I wanted to cry.
“It’s hard to even look at the jersey. “I know the rich history the jersey has and I felt privileged to get that far with Queensland.’’
Ronaldo Mulitalo represented Samoa in 2019. Picture: NRL Photos

Ronaldo Mulitalo represented Samoa in 2019. Picture: NRL Photos
KIWI KID
Mulitalo said a meeting with Maguire were major factors in signing off on the necessary paperwork last Tuesday.
“I was lucky enough to have ‘Madge’ in our hotel in Queensland (last season) so I had a couple of yarns with him,’’ Mulitalo said.
“He understood exactly where I was coming from in terms of representing Queensland, which made the process to select New Zealand (going forward) a lot easier.
“I told him that if I play good footy next year, hopefully I will sneak my way into a Kiwi jersey.
“As a kid, I went to the junior New Zealand camps. The disappointment for me was I never got picked for anything in New Zealand.

 

sharkboy18

Great White
Joined
Jun 8, 2007
Messages
4,955
Reaction score
168
Location
Alstonville
Being a Queenslander myself, I've got but one thing to say to them, shame on them for denying this great player a chance. If he gets selected for NZ they'll probably realise how much of a great winger they have missed out on. I was disgusted by QLD for denying him eligibility for QLD & Australia.
 

Sparkles

Jaws
Joined
May 21, 2008
Messages
11,861
Reaction score
2,650
Being a Queenslander myself, I've got but one thing to say to them, shame on them for denying this great player a chance. If he gets selected for NZ they'll probably realise how much of a great winger they have missed out on. I was disgusted by QLD for denying him eligibility for QLD & Australia.
and here we go again...
 

HaroldBishop

Megalodon
Joined
Mar 8, 2012
Messages
54,680
Reaction score
7,394
Location
Sydney
Being a Queenslander myself, I've got but one thing to say to them, shame on them for denying this great player a chance. If he gets selected for NZ they'll probably realise how much of a great winger they have missed out on. I was disgusted by QLD for denying him eligibility for QLD & Australia.
Low standards if you think he's a great player.
 

common

Great White
Joined
Mar 25, 2014
Messages
4,446
Reaction score
271
Location
The Internet
Being a Queenslander myself, I've got but one thing to say to them, shame on them for denying this great player a chance. If he gets selected for NZ they'll probably realise how much of a great winger they have missed out on. I was disgusted by QLD for denying him eligibility for QLD & Australia.
Hardly denied the chance, was never eligible.
 

bort

Jaws
Joined
Jun 4, 2007
Messages
29,385
Reaction score
5,514
Location
IN A BAR
Qld bungled it but I certainly wouldn't say that they denied him the chance
 

BurgoShark

Super Moderator
Joined
Apr 8, 2008
Messages
12,629
Reaction score
3,859
If any Qlder was to make a mistake, they’d be the first to admit it.

That is, on the off chance it ever happens.
 

egg

Jaws
Joined
Apr 11, 2010
Messages
12,777
Reaction score
976
Not Wrong .
I liked the bit

Cam was laughing when I told him. It’s good when you have guys like him and Dale [Finucane] together. They’re both tough – we needed some toughness in our group – and they’ve brought that straight away.”
 

Thresher

Jaws
Joined
Jul 5, 2011
Messages
24,559
Reaction score
3,253
Location
Melbourne
A screw loose

Cheers Egg. Thought I'd copy and paste the content in case anyone can't access it:
Sharks star Mulitalo has a screw loose – but it wasn’t his fault
Christian Nicolussi

By Christian Nicolussi

December 17, 2021 — 7.30pm
The tiny screw in Ronaldo Mulitalo’s locker is a daily reminder of the brutal toughness of new Cronulla recruit Cameron McInnes.
During a wrestling session last week, McInnes was paired with Mutalito when the former Dragon’s intensity and strength somehow forced a screw to drop out of his teammate’s jaw.



“It was a drill where you need to fight to get to your front. I was on top, but Cam did this full 360 and knocked my jaw.
“I didn’t think anything of it until afterwards when I stood up and I could feel something in my mouth.

Ronaldo Mulitalo with the screw knocked out of his jaw during a wrestling session.

Ronaldo Mulitalo with the screw knocked out of his jaw during a wrestling session.
“I had eaten a Snickers bar and thought it was a peanut. I tried to pick at what I thought was the nut, but then I realised it was a little screw from my jaw.
“There was blood all over it. I ended up putting the screw into a jar and put it in my locker. It’s still in my locker.

“I had to see the doc and got my jaw X-rayed again. I was lucky it was one of the screws in the middle, which wasn’t holding the jaw together.
“Cam was laughing when I told him. It’s good when you have guys like him and Dale [Finucane] together. They’re both tough – we needed some toughness in our group – and they’ve brought that straight away.”
McInnes said he had seen players lose teeth during accidents in contact training, but never a screw from a player’s jaw.

The ten screws in Mulitalo’s jaw have become nine.

The ten screws in Mulitalo’s jaw have become nine.
“Whenever you wrestle everyone goes hard, and Ronnie certainly goes hard,” McInnes said.

“I bumped him accidentally and when I saw him afterwards he was holding a screw and said, ‘This is from us wrestling’. He told me I had accidentally clipped him.
“I was more worried about his jaw, but he said he was all right.
Cronulla recruit Cameron McInnes, in his days as a Dragon.

Cronulla recruit Cameron McInnes, in his days as a Dragon.CREDIT:GETTY
“It was a first for me. I didn’t think it was possible to knock out a screw. I’ve seen teeth come out, but never a screw.”
McInnes and Finucane have arrived in the Shire from the Dragons and Storm respectively and are known to train with a finals-like intensity.

The former South Sydney and Dragons rake missed all of last season because of a ruptured ACL, and is buoyed by the fact his knee has given him no problems.
Signed as a lock and back-up to dummy-half Blayke Brailey, McInnes said he was still preparing to play as a No. 13 and part-time rake. Having McInnes at lock will allow Finucane to move into the front row, even though there is little difference between the two roles in the modern game.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/be...nds-eels-deal-until-2026-20211216-p59i6n.html

 
  • Like
Reactions: egg

bort

Jaws
Joined
Jun 4, 2007
Messages
29,385
Reaction score
5,514
Location
IN A BAR
Ronnie actually has always had a bit of a screw loose so it makes sense
 

Tatus

Not-So-Great White
Joined
Jan 18, 2011
Messages
10,064
Reaction score
751
Location
South Coast
Cheers Egg. Thought I'd copy and paste the content in case anyone can't access it:
Sharks star Mulitalo has a screw loose – but it wasn’t his fault
Christian Nicolussi

By Christian Nicolussi

December 17, 2021 — 7.30pm
Could you do me a favour and do the same for the McInnes transfer window article in the news section? Bloody pay walls
 
Top