Marcelo Montoya
{{short description|Fiji international rugby league footballer}}
{{for|Argentine football goalkeeper|Germán Montoya}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2017}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Marcelo Montoya
|fullname = Marcelo Eduardo Montoya Jr{{cite web|date=11 February 2018|title=Red Hot Chile Stepper|url=https://www.playersvoice.com.au/marcelo-montoya-red-hot-chile-stepper/|publisher=Player's Voice|access-date=12 February 2018}}
|image = Marcelo Montoya.jpg
|image_size = 290px
|caption =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1996|2|17}}
|birth_place = Lautoka, Fiji
|height = {{convert|189|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|96|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|position = {{rlp|WG|CE}}
|club1 = Canterbury Bulldogs
|year1start = 2017
|year1end = 20
|appearances1 = 54
|tries1 = 19
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 76
|club2 = {{nowrap|New Zealand Warriors}}
|year2start = 2021
|year2end = 24
|appearances2 = 82
|tries2 = 30
|goals2 = 0
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 120
|club3 = Canterbury Bulldogs
|year3start = 2025
|year3end = present
|appearances3 = 15
|tries3 = 8
|goals3 = 0
|fieldgoals3 = 0
|points3 = 32
|teamA = Fiji
|yearAstart = 2016
|yearAend = present
|appearancesA = 11
|triesA = 4
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 16
|retired =
|updated = 4 July 2025
}}
Marcelo Eduardo Montoya Jr (born 17 February 1996) is a Fijian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|wg}}er or {{rlp|ce}} for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in the National Rugby League and Fiji at international level.
He previously played for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL.
Background
Montoya was born in Lautoka, Fiji to a Chilean father and Fijian mother, and moved to Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia at the age of three.
He played his junior rugby league for the Bankstown Bulls,{{cite news |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/bulldogs/bulldogs-winger-marcelo-montoya-is-one-of-the-nrls-most-unusual-debutants/news-story/eeaab4997f93b24e18335895e0ed4205|title=Subscribe to The Daily Telegraph}}{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/home-grown-bulldog-montoya-bred-in-parramatta-20180510-p4zejl.html |website=www.smh.com.au |date=May 10, 2018 |title='Home grown' Bulldog Montoya bred in Parramatta}} and attended both Patrician Brothers' College, Fairfield{{Cite web |last=Nicolussi |first=Christian |date=2018-05-10 |title='Home grown' Bulldog Montoya bred in Parramatta |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/home-grown-bulldog-montoya-bred-in-parramatta-20180510-p4zejl.html |access-date=2024-06-26 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |language=en}} and Patrician Brothers' College, Blacktown.{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=Stacy|date=8 May 2015|title=Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldog loves his time in Casula Public School|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/south-west/canterburybankstown-bulldog-loves-his-time-in-casula-public-school/news-story/4cd717ced77b488f6347ae7a9654f40d|newspaper=Daily Telegraph|access-date=13 October 2016}}
Playing career
=Early career=
Montoya was signed by the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and played in their Harold Matthews Cup team. He progressed through Canterbury's youth system, and played in their NYC team between 2014 and 2016, scoring 36 tries in 46 matches.{{cite web|title=M|date=27 December 2012|url=https://nycdatabase.org/players/m/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622220803/http://nycdatabase.org/players/m/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=22 June 2015|publisher=NYC Database|access-date=12 February 2018}} The captain of the NYC team in 2016, he also played seven games in Canterbury's New South Wales Cup team that year, scoring six tries.{{cite web|last=Brunsdon|first=Simon|date=30 January 2017|title=The 20-year-old Canterbury Bulldogs player on teammates' lips — Marcelo Montoya
|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/the-20yearold-canterbury-bulldogs-player-on-teammates-lips-marcelo-montoya/news-story/320a008e4a65857b4f1d3fd530037c0b|work=Fox Sports|access-date=19 March 2017}} On 8 October 2016, Montoya made his international debut for Fiji in an international against Samoa in Apia, playing on the wing and scoring a try in Fiji's 20–18 win.{{cite web|last=Mudunavonu|first=Peni|date=9 October 2016|title=Bati wins first game in Apia|url=http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=374013|publisher=Fiji Times|access-date=13 October 2016}}{{cite web|author=Ben Glover |url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/live-rugby-league-test-match-samoa-v-fiji/news-story/a89f6b0a380cb77665ca5b68f6a0d64a |title=Samoa v Fiji rugby league Test live: kick off time, TV time, live scores, live updates |work=Fox Sports |date=2016-10-08 |access-date=2017-03-19}}
=2017=
In February 2017, Montoya was named in Canterbury's 2017 NRL Auckland Nines squad.{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/2017-downer-nrl-auckland-nines-squads/tabid/10874/newsid/103308/default.aspx |title=2017 Downer NRL Auckland Nines squads |date=3 February 2017 |publisher=NRL.com |access-date=2017-03-19}} In round 3 of the 2017 NRL season, Montoya made his NRL debut for the Bulldogs against the New Zealand Warriors where he played on the wing and scored a try in the 24–12 win at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand.{{cite news |last=Walshaw|first=Nick|date=17 March 2017|title=The Canterbury Bulldogs have beaten the Warriors 24-12 in New Zealand|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/bulldogs/the-canterbury-bulldogs-have-beaten-the-warriors-2412-in-new-zealand/news-story/5e426081371c4e1398e04f4394031fa5|newspaper=Daily Telegraph|access-date=18 March 2017}} He is the first player of Chilean and South American descent to play in the NRL.{{cite web|title=Bulldogs Winger Marcelo Montoya is One of the NRL's Most Unusual Debutants|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/bulldogs/bulldogs-winger-marcelo-montoya-is-one-of-the-nrls-most-unusual-debutants/news-story/eeaab4997f93b24e18335895e0ed4205|publisher=Daily Telegraph|access-date=22 October 2017}} He scored his first career double against the Newcastle Knights on the 7th April 2017 in a 22 points to 12 win.
On 6 June, Montoya re-signed with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs for a further three seasons until the end of 2020.{{cite web|last=Danks|first=Chris|date=6 June 2017|title=Bulldogs re-sign Marcelo Montoya|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/canterbury-bulldogs-marcelo-montoya-bret-morris-injury-contract-update-national-rugby-league/uqfh9csdih1n150fuei9pgw9p|publisher=Sporting News|access-date=13 February 2018}}
After a successful opening season in Montoya's career, the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs named him the NRL Rookie of the year.{{cite web |url=https://www.fijivillage.com/sport/Montoya-walks-away-with-the-Steve-Mortimer-Rookie-of-the-Year-award-2s9k5r/ |title=Montoya walks away with the Steve Mortimer Rookie of the Year award |publisher=Fiji Village |date=11 September 2017 |access-date=19 March 2023}}
=2018=
In 2018, Montoya made 15 appearances for Canterbury and scored two tries. In September 2018, Montoya and other Canterbury players celebrated Mad Monday at The Harbour View Hotel in Sydney's CBD. Later in the night, photographs provided by the media showed Canterbury players heavily intoxicated, stripping naked and vomiting in the street. Montoya was pictured on the street asleep by photographers after vomiting earlier. Montoya was handed a fine of $10,000 ($5000 suspended) by the club for his involvement.{{Cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/nrl-canterbury-bulldogs-charged-by-police-after-mad-monday-celebrations/1ff918e3-75df-4d85-b2ab-c4a7ecc4c6d7|title = NSW Police charge Dogs for 'obscene exposure'}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/NC0xNzE3LTQtLS0tLS0yMjk4OS0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0=|title=Custom Match List - Rugby League Project}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/bulldogs-mad-monday-mess-results-in-major-sponsor-walking-away/news-story/c6cbe3da49c6e54248ec603b6992dc83|title = Bulldogs' $500k Mad Monday whack|newspaper = News.com.au|date = 7 September 2018}}
=2019=
Montoya played the first two games of the 2019 season at centre as Canterbury suffered back to back heavy defeats against the New Zealand Warriors and the Parramatta Eels. Montoya was subsequently one of five players demoted to reserve grade by coach Dean Pay.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-teams-round-3-bulldogs-coach-pay-wields-axe-20190326-p517rp.html/|title=NRL teams, Round 3: Bulldogs coach Pay wields axe|website=www.smh.com.au|date=26 March 2019}}
After spending 7 weeks in reserve grade, Montoya was recalled to the Canterbury side for their Round 9 match against the Newcastle Knights which Canterbury lost 22–10 at Suncorp Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/6118683/knights-make-it-three-straight-wins-by-outlasting-bulldogs-22-10/|title=Newcastle Knights make it three straight with a 22-10 victory over Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium|website=Newcastle Herald|date=11 May 2019}}
In Round 18 against Brisbane, Montoya was taken from the field during the club's 28–6 loss with an apparent leg injury. Scans later revealed that Montoya would be ruled out for the rest of the season after it was shown he had tears to his posterior cruciate ligament, lateral ligament and medial meniscal ligament.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-casualty-ward-every-injury-and-every-clubs-full-list-plus-return-dates/news-story/ef6fc2b9bb6f59ac8d9a79f0a12858ac/|title=NRL Casualty Ward: Every injury and every club's full list plus return dates|website=Fox Sports|date=19 August 2019}}
=2020=
Montoya made his return for Canterbury in round 8 of the 2020 NRL season, scoring a try in a 26–10 loss against Souths. In round 10 against St. George and with the scores locked at 22-22, Canterbury spread the ball left and a routine pass was thrown to Montoya who in turn dropped the ball. Saints player Corey Norman picked up the loose ball and raced away to score the match winning try on the full-time siren.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-18/sea-eagles-stun-eels-dogs-blow-it-late-knights-hang-on/12469972/|title=Sea Eagles Stun Eels Dogs Blow It Late|newspaper=ABC News|date=18 July 2020}}
On 22 September, it was revealed that Montoya would be released by Canterbury at the end of the 2020 NRL season. Montoya was one of eight players who were released as the club looked to rebuild for the 2021 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/bulldogs/nrl-2020-canterburybankstown-bulldogs-announce-eight-player-departures-kieran-foran-aiden-tolman-full-list/news-story/67fbadc55112e80ee342e26861bd206d?fbclid=IwAR0j-ofZNc_yFpjOkCEKeXn5uCy1T8rVDj664RO64BlUqgZQl5547RSu6ZM/|title=Dogs confirm EIGHT-man clean-out in first glimpse of Barrett era|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=22 September 2020}}
=2021=
In round 4 of the 2021 NRL season, Montoya made his club debut against the Sydney Roosters.
In round 11 of the 2021 NRL season, Montoya scored two tries in a 30–26 victory over the Wests Tigers.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-21/nrl-sharks-beat-dragons-warriors-defeat-wests-tigers/100149396/|title=Sharks beat Dragons 13-12 in NRL golden point, Warriors defeat Wests Tigers 30-26|newspaper=ABC News|date=21 May 2021}}
= 2022 =
In round 5 of the 2022 NRL season, Montoya used a homophobic slur against North Queensland winger Kyle Feldt in a match between their sides. The comment was picked up by in-game audio. Montoya was referred to the NRL judiciary and entered an early guilty plea. He was suspended for four matches.{{Cite news |title=Cowboys disappointed by 'homophobic slur' |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/61065109 |access-date=2022-04-11}}
In round 10, Montoya scored two tries for New Zealand in their 32–30 loss against South Sydney.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/05/14/rabbitohs-survive-big-scare-to-beat-warriors-after-first-half-blitz/|title=Rabbitohs survive big scare to beat Warriors in thriller|website=www.nrl.com}}
Montoya made a total of 18 appearances for the New Zealand club as they finished 15th on the table.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/warriors/warriors-farewell-15-players-after-return-to-new-zealand/news-story/10c5db674841c74a716fce5ece20e047/|title=Warriors farewell 15 players after return to New Zealand|website=www.foxsports.com.au}}
=2023=
In round 3 of the 2023 NRL season, Montoya scored two tries for New Zealand in a 26–12 victory over North Queensland.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-18/nrl-titans-storm-cowboys-warriors-broncos-dragons/102105696/|title=Unbeaten Broncos set up blockbuster Brisbane NRL derby against Dolphins as Warriors, Gold Coast score upset wins|website=www.abc.net.au}}
In round 19, Montoya scored two tries for New Zealand in their 46-10 victory over Parramatta Eels.{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/warriors/300923783/ruthless-warriors-demolish-eels-4610-to-mark-shaun-johnsons-milestone-200th-game-in-style/|title=Ruthless Warriors demolish Eels 46-10 to mark Shaun Johnson's milestone 200th game in style|website=www.stuff.co.nz}}
Montoya played 27 games for the New Zealand Warriors in the 2023 NRL season and scored eleven tries as the club finished 4th on the table and qualified for the finals. Montoya played in all three finals games as the club reached the preliminary final before being defeated by Brisbane.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-2023-new-zealand-warriors-season-review/8343d491a8ee8126ee2829c2#:~:text=This%20season%2C%20they%20struggled%20to,magic%20they%20had%20last%20year./|title=NRL 2023: New Zealand Warriors season review|website=www.sportingnews.com}}
=2024=
Montoya played 19 games for the New Zealand Warriors in the 2024 NRL season and scored eight tries which saw the club finish 13th on the table.{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/news-2024-the-mole-season-review-warriors-analysis-exclusive-20240909-p5k98f.html/|title=The Mole's end-of-season review: The 'harsh' Shaun Johnson truth that plagued highly-fancied Warriors|website=www.nine.com.au}} On 11 October 2024, the Warriors announced that Montoya had been released from his contract to return to Australia.{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |date=2024-10-10 |title=Montoya to leave Warriors |url=https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2024/10/11/montoya-to-leave-warriors/ |access-date=2024-10-10 |website=Warriors |language=en}} The same day Montoya had re-joined the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in a two year deal.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-11 |title=Coming Home: Montoya Returns to Bulldogs |url=https://www.bulldogs.com.au/news/2024/10/11/coming-home-montoya-returns-to-bulldogs/ |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |language=en}}
Statistics
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Season !Team !Matches !Tries !Pts |
| 2017
| rowspan="4" |{{Leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |19 |12 |48 |
| 2018
|15 |2 |8 |
| 2019
|11 |2 |8 |
| 2020
|9 |3 |12 |
| 2021
| rowspan="4" |{{leagueicon|New Zealand Warriors|16}} New Zealand Warriors |18 |5 |20 |
| 2022
|18 |6 |24 |
| 2023
|27 |11 |44 |
| 2024
|19 |6 |24 |
| 2025
|{{Leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs |4 |2 |8 |
| |Totals
|140 |51 |204 |
Personal life
As of May 2015, Montoya is working as a teacher's aide at Casula Public School. He has been an ambassador for Latin Heat Rugby League.{{cite web|last=Burgin|first=Robert|date=29 September 2017|title=Marcelo Montoya appearance honours Latin American heritage|url=http://latinheatrl.com/marcelo-montoya-appearance-honours-latin-american-heritage/|publisher=Latin Heat|access-date=13 February 2018}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.bulldogs.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/canterbury-bankstown-bulldogs/marcelo-montoya/ Canterbury Bulldogs profile]
- [http://www.bulldogs.com.au/team/profiles/marcelo_montoya.html Bulldogs profile]
- [http://www.nrl.com/telstrapremiership/playerstats/playerprofile/tabid/10898/clubid/3/playerid/6922/seasonid/45/default.aspx NRL profile]
- [http://www.rlwc2017.com/players?team=382#Marcelo-Montoya 2017 RLWC profile]
{{Bulldogs current}}
{{Fiji 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Montoya, Marcelo}}
Category:21st-century Fijian sportsmen
Category:Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players
Category:Fijian people of Chilean descent
Category:Fijian emigrants to Australia
Category:Fijian rugby league players
Category:Fiji national rugby league team players
Category:New Zealand Warriors players
Category:People educated at Patrician Brothers' College, Blacktown
Category:People educated at Patrician Brothers' College, Fairfield
Category:Rugby league fullbacks