Mateo to headline Tonga's act in Test

Parramatta utility Feleti Mateo is the headline act in Tonga's squad for the rugby league Test against New Zealand in Rotorua on Wednesday.Mateo is set to line up 10 days after playing in the Eels side beaten 23-16 by Melbourne in the NRL grand final.He also played against the Kiwis in last year's equivalent contest, a build-up match for both sides before the World Cup which the Kiwis went on to win.Mateo is not the only player with NRL experience in a team coached by Rohan Smith, son of long-time NRL coach Brian Smith.Smith's squad includes Manly winger Tony Williams, former Warriors back-rower and Kiwis international Epalahame Lauaki, Newcastle second rower Richard Fa'aoso, Cronulla's Melbourne-bound Atelea Vea, Viliami Mataka of Wests Tigers, Parramatta's Etuate Uaisele and 2009 rookie Warrior Ukuma Ta'ai.Ta'ai will become a dual international after previously representing Tonga in Test rugby.Two former NRL players now playing in England, Tevita Leo-Latu and Willie Manu, were also named.Tonga squad: Paki Afu, Richard Fa'aoso, Sam Huihahau, Toshio Laiseni, Tevita Leo-Latu, Epalahame Lauaki, Siuatonga Likiliki Pita Maile, Willie Manu, Viliami Mataka, Feleti Mateo, Eddie Paea, Nafe Seluini, Ukuma Ta'ai, Joel Taufa'ao, Sione Tovo, Etuate Uaisele, Siosia Vave, Atelea Vea, Tony Williams./wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=873166

The rise, fall and remaking of the greatest rookie in NRL history - ABC News https://apple.news/AxWohVkejRUqwjQZa8TwS0QAnother link to the articlehttps://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-11/tim-smith-nrl-parramatta-eels-2005-try-assist-record/105260356

"I did say if he trimmed down. If he was proper fit and kept in shape I am confident he could handle cup level footy. I am not saying that will happen"

Replies

ELECTRIFYING MAXFORCE EELS 2014 October 9, 2009 at 6:54pm

WONDER IF MATEO PLAYS A FULL 80 MINS , SURELY THE EELS CAN WORK OUT IF YOU PLAY HIM FOR 80 MINS YOU GET 80 MINS OF TALLENT .

HE PLAYED GREAT IN GRANDFINAL , Pity he didnt play the full 80 mins , we may have won ?
valdo October 9, 2009 at 7:15pm

Doubt it. Mateo is great but his decisions (and passes) under pressure are not always the best.
Even without Inu, Mateo and others coughing up the ball, we were still outplayed by a scintillating Storm. Wear the pie, and move on.
Ross October 9, 2009 at 7:49pm

Wil be a great experience for him. So underated by a lot on this site.. I think he will do great.
- TABONE > Ross October 9, 2009 at 7:58pm
  
  hope this experience for him has the same out come that it had on Hayne.
Bosanac October 9, 2009 at 10:34pm

I thought the Tongan team was better. I only recognise about 5 names in that team and only 2 are solid first graders...
- Shea O'Neill > Bosanac October 10, 2009 at 10:00pm
  
  Problem is, every Tongan whos good enough gets picked for New Zealand such as Fui, so if the rules were that you played where u were born instead of the other crap, Tonga and Samoa and other Island countries might be stronger.
1Eyed Eel October 10, 2009 at 11:52am

Why don't they have make it a Pacific Islands team. If you join Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and PNG together you would have a true fourth force in League and it would just be awesome for the game

This reply was deleted.

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