Ronaldo Mulitalo

Ronaldo Mulitalo (born 17 November 1999) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a wing and centre for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the NRL.

Ronaldo Mulitalo
Personal information
Full nameRonaldo Mulitalo
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, Centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2019– Cronulla Sharks 24 17 0 0 68
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2019– United States 9s 3 0 0 0 0
2019– Samoa 1 1 0 0 4
As of 16 November 2020
Source: [1]

Background

Mulitalo was born in South Auckland, New Zealand, and is of American Samoan descent through his mother.[2]

He played his junior rugby league for the Ellerslie Eagles before moving to Ipswich, Queensland. While in Ipswich, he attended Ipswich State High School and played for the Springfield Panthers.

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.[3] In 2018, Mulitalo moved up to the Sharks' Jersey Flegg Cup side, playing nine games.

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.[4] 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.[5] In July, he played fullback for the Queensland under-20 side, scoring a try in their loss to New South Wales.[6] 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.[7] In Round 24 against Canberra, Mulitalo scored 2 tries as Cronulla lost the match 15-14 in Golden Point extra-time at Shark Park.[8]

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.[9]

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.[10] The following week, Mulitalo played for Newtown in the NRL State Championship victory over the Burleigh Bears at ANZ Stadium.[11]

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.[12]

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 qualify for the finals at New Zealand's expense.[13]

References
  1. Rugby League Project
  2. Whittaker, Troy (10 October 2019). "Ronaldo speaks USA dream into existence". NRL.com. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  3. https://www.sharks.com.au/news/2017/06/21/young-sharks-battle-for-state-pride/
  4. https://www.sharks.com.au/news/2019/04/26/mulitalo-elevated-into-sharks-top-30-squad/
  5. https://www.sharks.com.au/news/2019/04/27/late-mail---sharks-v-broncos/
  6. https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/07/10/burton-stars-as-blues-crush-maroons-in-under-20s-origin/
  7. "Sharks beat Cowboys 16-14 to break five-match losing run and stay in NRL finals race". ABC.
  8. "Canberra Raiders ruin Paul Gallen's Cronulla farewell, Tigers beat Dragons to stay in finals hunt". ABC.
  9. "Sharks winger Mulitalo faces finals ban". 7News.
  10. "Newtown reign supreme in epic decider". NSWRL.
  11. "Newtown Jets steal the State Championship with a last second freak try". Sporting News.
  12. "Cronulla v NQ Round 4". www.foxsports.com.au.
  13. "Human battering ram seals Cronulla Sharks' finals ticket in thrilling win over New Zealand Warriors". wwos.nine.com.au.
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