- Steve Matai
Infobox rugby league biography
playername = Steve Matai
fullname = Steven Matai
nickname = Skivi, Angry Ant, Shoulders
caption =
image_size= 250px
country =
position = Centre
currentclub = leagueicon|Manly|size=16Manly Sea Eagles
dateofbirth = birth date and age|df=yes|1984|8|5
placeofbirth =Auckland
countryofbirth =New Zealand
height = convert|177|cm|ftin|abbr=on
weight = convert|94|kg|stlb|abbr=on
club1 = leagueicon|Manly|size=16 Manly-Warringah
year1start = 2005
year1end =
appearances1 = 90
tries1 = 23
goals1 = 14
fieldgoals1 = 0
points1 = 120
teamA = leagueicon|New Zealand|size=16 New Zealand
yearAstart = 2006
yearAend =
appearancesA = 5
triesA = 0
goalsA = 0
fieldgoalsA = 0
pointsA = 0
updated =
source =
new = yesSteve Matai born 5 August 1984 in
Auckland , New Zealand is arugby league player for theManly-Warringah Sea Eagles in theNational Rugby League . He plays as a centre. He is a New Zealand international.Domestic career
Early career
Matai played for the
Marist Richmond Brothers in theBartercard Cup , before leaving in 2004.cite web|url=http://www.qt.com.au/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3633191&thesection=localsport&thesubsection=|title=Super Steve's the centre of attention at the Sea Eagles|publisher=The Queensland Times|date=2005-04-27|accessdate=2008-08-06]Matai joined
Queensland Cup sideIpswich Jets in 2004.cite web|url=http://www.qt.com.au/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3633191&thesection=localsport&thesubsection=|title=Super Steve's the centre of attention at the Sea Eagles|publisher=The Queensland Times|date=2005-04-27|accessdate=2008-08-06]In 2005 Matai moved to another
Queensland Cup side, but soon left theWynnum Manly Seagulls after securing anNRL contract with their associate club, theManly-Warringah Sea Eagles .cite web|url=http://www.wynnumseagulls.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=91&Itemid=81&mosmsg=Thanks+for+your+vote%21|title=Matai now a Sea Eagle|publisher=Wynnum Manly Seagulls|date=2005-03-09|accessdate=2008-08-06]Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Matai joined the Manly Sea Eagles from the
Wynnum Manly Seagulls in 2005 after impressing during a strong pre season of training and trials at theBrookvale Oval .cite web|url=http://www.wynnumseagulls.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=91&Itemid=81&mosmsg=Thanks+for+your+vote%21|title=Matai now a Sea Eagle|publisher=Wynnum Manly Seagulls|date=2005-03-09|accessdate=2008-08-06]On 27 March 2005 Matai made his
NRL debut in the round 3 match against theMelbourne Storm atBrookvale Oval .cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/player/0,26753,108725-108,00.html|title=Player Profile|publisher=news.com.au|date=2008-08-06|accessdate=2008-08-06]Matai played in the 2007 NRL Grand Final defeat to the Melbourne Storm.cite web|url=http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=14879|title=MELBOURNE STORM - 2007 NRL PREMIERS|publisher=League Unlimited|date=2007-09-30|accessdate=2008-08-04]
Matai is an occasional goal kicker for the Sea Eagles.
He played in the 2008 NRL Grand Final victory over the
Melbourne Storm .cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,24449388-23214,00.html|title=Grand final: As it happened|publisher=Fox Sports|date=2008-10-05|accessdate=2008-10-05]Representative career
New Zealand
On 14 October 2006 Matai made his test debut against Australia at
Mt Smart Stadium in the 2006 Tri-Nations.cite web|url=http://www.nzrl.co.nz/page/gillette_tri_nations_06_stats_game_1.html|title=2006 Gillette Tri-Nations Series|publisher=NZRL|date=2008-08-06|accessdate=2008-08-06] cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=rleague/06/10/06/RUGBYL_Tri-Nations_New_Zealand_Pe.html|title=NEW ZEALAND TRI-NATIONS PENPIX|publisher=Sportinglife|date=2006-10-06|accessdate=2008-08-06]Matai has represented New Zealand on five occasions between 2006 and 2007.cite web|url=http://rugbyleagueproject.com/players/Steve_Matai.html|title=Steve Matai|publisher=Rugby League Project|date=2008-08-06|accessdate=2008-08-06]
On 14 October 2007 Matai was sent off by referee Steve Ganson in the trans-Tasman Test at
Westpac Stadium inWellington, New Zealand .cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22583648-23214,00.html|title=Kiwis fuming at hasty send-off|publisher=Fox Sports|date=2007-10-14|accessdate=2008-08-06] cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,22583650-5003409,00.html|title=Stuart calls Steve Matai 'cheap shot merchant'|publisher=news.com.au|date=2007-10-14|accessdate=2008-08-06]He was given a 2 match ban, but given that Matai had ruled himself out of New Zealand's tour of Great Britain and France for off-season shoulder surgery, he served his suspension during Sea Eagles' trial matches in 2008.cite web|url=http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/nrl/story/0,26746,22583650-5003409,00.html|title=Stuart calls Steve Matai 'cheap shot merchant'|publisher=news.com.au|date=2007-10-14|accessdate=2008-08-06]
He has been named in the New Zealand training squad for the
2008 Rugby League World Cup .cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12196_3949034,00.html|title=Kiwis select Sonny Bill|publisher=Sky Sports|date=2008-08-08|accessdate=2008-08-08]He has been named in the New Zealand squad for the
2008 Rugby League World Cup .cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7656238.stm|title=Kiwis to wait on Webb and Matai|publisher=BBC|date=2008-10-07|accessdate=2008-10-07]amoa
He has been named in the Samoa training squad for the
2008 Rugby League World Cup .cite web|url=http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=16750|title=Samoa name World Cup Squad|publisher=League Unlimited|date=2008-08-05|accessdate=2008-08-06] He qualifies through his Samoan heritage.cite web|url=http://www.richmondbulldogs.com/Roll+of+Honour/Steve+Matai.html|title=Steve Matai profile|publisher=Richmond Bulldogs|date=2008-08-06|accessdate=2008-08-06]tyle of play
He is known for his aggressive style of play. Matai is currently considered to be the best defensive centre in the game due to his ability to perform stinging tackles on much larger opponents and it is partly due to him that Manly have the best line-defence in the competition and rarely let over tries whilst defending on their line.
Controversy
Point Scoring Summary - Manly Sea Eagles
References
External links
* [http://www.manlyseaeagles.com.au/players.asp?playerid=133 Manly Sea Eagles profile]
* [http://www.nrl.com.au/Players/tabid/10299/default.aspx?playerid=476 NRL profile]
* [http://www.richmondbulldogs.com/Roll+of+Honour/Steve+Matai.html Richmond Rovers profile]
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