Ronaldo Mulitalo
{{short description|NZ & Samoa international rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{EngvarB|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Ronaldo Mulitalo
|image = Ronaldo Mulitalo.jpg
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1999|11|17}}
|birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand
|height = {{convert|190|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|95|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|position = {{rlp|WG}}
|club1 = {{nowrap|Cronulla Sharks}}
|year1start = 2019
|year1end = present
|appearances1 = 117
|tries1 = 84
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 = 336
|teamA = {{nowrap|United States 9s}}
|yearAstart = 2019
|yearAend =
|appearancesA = 3
|triesA = 0
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 0
|teamB = {{rlnt|Samoa}}
|yearBstart = 2019
|yearBend =
|appearancesB = 1
|triesB = 1
|goalsB = 0
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|pointsB = 4
|teamC = {{nowrap|New Zealand}}
|yearCstart = 2022
|yearCend = 23
|appearancesC = 8
|triesC = 7
|goalsC = 0
|fieldgoalsC = 0
|pointsC = 28
|retired =
|source = [http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/ronaldo-mulitalo/summary.html Rugby League Project]
|updated = 20 April 2025
}}
Ronaldo Mulitalo (born 17 November 1999) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|wg}}er for the Cronulla Sharks in the National Rugby League (NRL). He has played for the {{rlnt|USA}}, {{rlnt|Samoa}} and {{rlnt|NZ}} at an international level.
Background
Mulitalo was born in South Auckland, New Zealand, and is of Samoan descent. His mother's family is from American Samoa.{{cite web|last=Whittaker|first=Troy|date=10 October 2019|title=Ronaldo speaks USA dream into existence|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/10/10/ronaldo-speaks-usa-dream-into-existence/|website=NRL.com|access-date=10 October 2019}}
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.{{cite web|last=Riccio|first=David|date=24 August 2019|title=Mummy's boy happy to swim with Sharks|url=https://www.pressreader.com/australia/the-chronicle-8992/20190824/282862257541750|work=Chronicle|access-date=27 June 2021}}
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 Sharks, playing for the SG Ball Cup side which made it to the Grand Final. Later that year, he represented Queensland under-18.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sharks.com.au/news/2017/06/21/young-sharks-battle-for-state-pride/|title=Young Sharks battle for state pride|date=21 June 2017}} In 2018, Mulitalo moved up to the Sharks' Jersey Flegg Cup side.{{cite web |url=https://www.sharks.com.au/news/2019/08/07/twin-brothers-commit-to-the-sharks/ |title=Twin brothers commit to the Sharks |publisher=Sharks |date=7 August 2009 |access-date=31 May 2022}}
=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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sharks.com.au/news/2019/04/26/mulitalo-elevated-into-sharks-top-30-squad/|title = Mulitalo elevated into Sharks Top 30 squad|date = 25 April 2019}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sharks.com.au/news/2019/04/27/late-mail---sharks-v-broncos/|title = Late Mail - Update - Dugan ruled out|date = 27 April 2019}} In July, he played fullback for the Queensland under-20 side, scoring a try in their loss to New South Wales.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/07/10/burton-stars-as-blues-crush-maroons-in-under-20s-origin/|title = Burton stars as Blues crush Queensland in under 20s Origin|date = 10 July 2019}}
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.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-25/nrl-scorecentre-cronulla-sharks-north-queensland-cowboys/11342142/|title=Sharks beat Cowboys 16-14 to break five-match losing run and stay in NRL finals race|newspaper=ABC News|date=25 July 2019}}
In Round 24 against Canberra, Mulitalo scored 2 tries as Cronulla lost the match 15-14 in Golden Point extra-time at Shark Park.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-01/nrl-scorecentre-sharks-raiders-dragons-wests-tigers/11462176/|title=Canberra Raiders ruin Paul Gallen's Cronulla farewell, Tigers beat Dragons to stay in finals hunt|newspaper=ABC News|date=September 2019}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://7news.com.au/sport/rugby-league/sharks-winger-mulitalo-faces-finals-ban-c-443097/|title=Sharks winger Mulitalo faces finals ban|website=7News|date=9 September 2019}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2019/09/29/newtown-reign-supreme-in-epic-decider/|title=Newtown reign supreme in epic decider|website=NSWRL|date=29 September 2019}}
The following week, Mulitalo played for Newtown in the NRL State Championship victory over the Burleigh Bears at ANZ Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/au/league/news/nrl-grand-final-jets-steal-the-state-championship-with-a-last-second-freak-try/1jojo92r9tgjk17m7qnmy84v3f/|title=Newtown Jets steal the State Championship with a last second freak try|website=Sporting News|date=6 October 2019 }}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2020-north-queensland-cowboys-vs-cronulla-sharks-round-4-valentine-holmes-live-blog-highlights-scores-updates/news-story/1d2d21c35df60daf1b1f59c1a9da5ec3/|title=Cronulla v NQ Round 4|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=6 June 2020}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/live-results-storm-cowboys-sharks-warriors-start-time-scores-news-2020-round-18/04d4594c-ae60-405a-bc7a-cebfa9063f84/|title=Human battering ram seals Cronulla Sharks' finals ticket in thrilling win over New Zealand Warriors|website=wwos.nine.com.au|date=13 September 2020 }}
=2021=
In round 12 of the 2021 NRL season, he scored two tries in Cronulla-Sutherland's 38-10 victory over the Gold Coast.{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/embarrassing-sharks-slaughter-titans-in-coffs-harbour/news-story/3905e3905198e8061809872b753636ce/|title='Embarrassing': Sharks slaughter Titans in Coffs Harbour|newspaper=News.com.au|date=30 May 2021|last1=Lucius|first1=Adam}}
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.{{cite web|last=Matthey|first=James|date=27 June 2021|title=Ineligible Queensland star Ronaldo Mulitalo banned from State of Origin II|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/queensland-star-ronaldo-mulitalo-banned-from-state-of-origin-ii/news-story/d50bd59d8a86519fc1c0c4733c6ada13|work=news.com.au|access-date=27 June 2021}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/tigers/nrl-2021-wests-tigers-loss-to-cronulla-sharks-michael-maguire-press-conference-finals-hopes/news-story/c405506b4bdac57400c19e6b128f86da/|title='They cannot attract big names': Ennis savages Tigers as star prop snubs Madge|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=21 August 2021}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/09/03/storm-secure-minor-premiership-anxious-wait-for-sharks/|title=Papenhuyzen back to best as Storm secure minor premiership|website=www.nrl.com|date=3 September 2021}}
=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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/cronulla-sharks/cronulla-sharks-siosifa-talakai-nsw-state-of-origin-chance-destroys-manly-sea-eagles-20220421-p5iyx7.html|title=Cronulla 34 Manly 22|website=amp.nine.com.au}}
In round 14, Mulitalo scored two tries for Cronulla in a 38-16 victory over the New Zealand Warriors.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-12/nrl-live-tigers-sea-eagles-knights-panthers-warriors-sharks/101140740/|title=Penrith Panthers welcome back Origin stars in win over Newcastle, as Warriors and Tigers' new coaches lose first games in charge|newspaper=ABC News|date=12 June 2022 }}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/cronullas-dual-gamble-pays-off-major-flaw-exposed-in-finals-disaster-brutal-review/news-story/619a3957ee64720ef66e0e9542f375b7/|title=Young gun who can solve Sharks' big problem; masterstroke that can't be overlooked: Brutal Review|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=19 September 2022 }}
=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.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-26/nrl-warriors-bulldogs-knights-raiders-dragons-sharks/102144744/|title=Cronulla thrashes St George Illawarra 40-8 as Newcastle, Warriors enjoy NRL victories|newspaper=ABC News|date=26 March 2023 }}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/i-wasnt-enjoying-my-life-warriors-star-shaun-johnson-opens-up-on-brutal-year/news-story/77a5a6f604df3e7966f90737e68b5272/|title='I wasn't enjoying my life': Warriors star Shaun Johnson opens up on brutal year|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=3 April 2023 }}
In round 9, Mulitalo scored two tries for Cronulla in a 44-6 victory over North Queensland.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-27/nrl-cronulla-defeats-north-queensland-round-nine/102268282/|title=Cronulla Sharks dominate North Queensland Cowboys 44-6 to move into NRL top four|newspaper=ABC News|date=27 April 2023 }}
In round 18, Mulitalo scored two tries for Cronulla in their 52-16 victory over rivals St. George Illawarra.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-cronulla-sharks-v-st-george-illawarra-dragons-live-blog-updates-video-stats-ins-and-outs-injuries-ben-hunt/news-story/3cedb01ddff778981ebd7c6559648643/|title=Dragons cop worst ever beatdown from brutal Sharks as Hynes sends Origin message — 3 Big Hits|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=29 June 2023 }}
In round 24, Mulitalo scored a further two tries in Cronulla's 36-6 victory over the Gold Coast.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-cronulla-sharks-vs-gold-coast-titans-live-scores-updates-team-news-top-eight-race-finals-supercoach/news-story/9b5a0463dd8c7694d5cd3cf1047c29b1/|title=Trio's nervous wait as Titans face $15m reality; Sharks' unsung heroes star in win: Big Hits|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=12 August 2023 }}
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.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-09/nrl-finals-panthers-warriors-sharks-roosters-live-updates/102816232/|title=Sydney Roosters score 'wild' 13-12 NRL elimination final win over Cronulla Sharks, Penrith Panthers beat Warriors|newspaper=ABC News|date=9 September 2023 }}
=2024=
In round 4 of the 2024 NRL season, Mulitalo scored two tries for Cronulla in their 36-22 victory over Canberra.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2024-canberra-raiders-to-lodge-complaint-with-nrl-cronulla-sharks-trainer-jamal-fogarty-line-of-sight-rugby-league-news-reaction/news-story/9c7e6ba6f7dac838e39e5c23080288b2/|title='Pretty disappointed': Raiders to lodge complaint over Sharks trainer's bizarre move|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=April 2024 }}
In round 6 of the 2024 NRL season, Mulitalo scored two tries for Cronulla in their 34-22 victory over South Sydney.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/pressure-mounting-on-bunnies-ahead-of-crucial-sharks-clash-nrl-live/news-story/097364f3a8128e4b80c709a2b4c0a8d4/|title='Carnage' — Souths' injury crisis as THREE go off on Demetriou's D-day in Sharks victory|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=13 April 2024 }}
In round 19, Mulitalo scored a hat-trick in Cronulla's 58-6 win over the Wests Tigers.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-2024-live-nrl-cronulla-sharks-vs-wests-tigers-scores-results-news-blog-stream-start-time-teams-nicho-hynes-benji-marshall/news-story/b9eb36c44727132191f7a1d58015a005/|title=Sharks silence Nicho fears; Achilles heel response as Tigers woes get worse: What we learned|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=12 July 2024 }}
In round 27, Mulitalo scored two tries for Cronulla in their 40-20 victory over Manly in the "Battle of the Beaches" game.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2024-manly-sea-eagles-vs-cronulla-sharks-live-blog-live-stream-finals-supercoach-scores-daly-cherryevans-nicho-hynes/news-story/75bdfc078963423ce922c295ddb6e504/|title=Sea Eagles choke with home final on the line as Sharks silence sell-out crowd: What we learned|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=8 September 2024 }}
Mulitalo played 23 games for Cronulla in the 2024 NRL season and scored 18 tries as the club finished 4th on the table and qualified for the finals. He played in all three of Cronulla's finals matches including their preliminary final loss against Penrith.{{cite web|url=https://www.nine.com.au/sport/nrl/mole-2024-season-review-cronulla-sharks-20240929-p5kegl.html/|title=The Mole's end of season review: Awkward Sharks puzzle laid bare after $1m star 'lost his way'|website=www.nine.com.au|date=29 September 2024 }}
= 2025 =
On 11 February, the Sharks announced that Mulitalo had re-signed with the club until the end of 2028.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-11 |title=Mulitalo stays loyal with three-year Sharks deal |url=https://www.sharks.com.au/news/2025/02/11/mulitalo-stays-loyal-with-three-year-sharks-deal/ |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |language=en}}
Statistics
=NRL=
class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:85%;" | |||||
width=2%|Season
!width=8%|Team !width=2%|Matches !width=2%|T !width=2%|G !width=2%|GK % !width=2%|F/G !width=2%|Pts | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2019
| rowspan="7" style="text-align:center;" |{{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} Cronulla-Sutherland | 8|| 5|| 0|| —|| 0|| 20 | |||||
style="background:#eaeaea;"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2020 | 16 | 12 | 0 | — | 0 | 48 |
scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2021
| 16|| 10|| 0|| —|| 0|| 40 | |||||
style="background:#eaeaea;"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2022 | 24 | 17 | 0 | — | 0 | 68 |
scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2023
| 23|| 21|| 0|| —|| 0|| 84 | |||||
scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2024
| 23|| 18|| 0|| —|| 0|| 72 | |||||
2025
| | | | | | | |||||
class="sortbottom"
! colspan="2" | Career totals ! 110 ! 83 ! 0 ! — ! 0 ! 332 |
=International=
class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:85%;" | |||||
width=2%|Season
!width=8%|Team !width=2%|Matches !width=2%|T !width=2%|G !width=2%|GK % !width=2%|F/G !width=2%|Pts | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2019
|style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Samoa|16}} Samoa | 1|| 1|| 0|| —|| 0|| 4 | |||||
style="background:#eaeaea;"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2022 |style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|New Zealand|16}} New Zealand | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 4 |
class="sortbottom"
! colspan="2" | Career totals ! 3 ! 2 ! 0 ! — ! 0 ! 8 |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.sharks.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/cronulla-sutherland-sharks/ronaldo-mulitalo/ Cronulla Sharks profile]
- [https://www.nrl.com/players/nrl-premiership/sharks/ronaldo-mulitalo/ NRL profile]
{{Cronulla Sharks squad}}
{{New Zealand 2021 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mulitalo, Ronaldo}}
Category:New Zealand rugby league players
Category:New Zealand national rugby league team players
Category:New Zealand sportspeople of Samoan descent
Category:New Zealand people of American Samoan descent
Category:New Zealand emigrants to Australia
Category:Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks players
Category:Newtown Jets NSW Cup players
Category:Rugby league players from Auckland
Category:Samoa national rugby league team players
Category:Samoan rugby league players