A FEW weeks ago Reni Maitua did something he never thought he’d get to do again.
Three and a half years after his name flashed up on a projector screen along with 11 of his teammates who were unwanted by the club, he returned to the Eels.
After retiring from the game at the end of last year, Maitua appeared at Parramatta Stadium to speak to the first grade squad and coaching staff.
Having enjoyed a career which spanned 12 years across the NRL and English competitions, the 34-year-old has seen it all.
The highest highs of premiership victories and Test jerseys, and the lowest lows of being banned from the game and battling depression.
“It was unreal to go back, because Parramatta were the ones who gave me the lifeline (after my drugs ban),” Maitua told foxsports.com.au.
Reni Maitua during his time with the Eels.Source: News Corp Australia“Even though I played the majority of my grade games with Canterbury, Parramatta gave me the opportunity to come back.
“I made some good friends out there and it was good to see how much the place has changed. It looks like there’s a bit of stability out there.”
Still yet to decide what his next career move will be, Maitua has been volunteering his time to speak to a host of promising young players.
Recently, he was a guest speaker at the NRL rookie camp, an unpaid role he took on to help give back to the game.
That’s how the opportunity with the Eels popped up.
Eels Welfare and Education Manager Matt Francis was at the rookie camp when he heard Maitua speak.
Reni Maitua leaving the Downing Centre Courts.Source: News Corp AustraliaListening to the backrower tell his story was enough to bring him back to the Eels, to share his journey with the current squad and a few familiar faces.
Maitua was a co-captain of the club alongside Mannah back in 2013 and while a handful of players like Kenny Edwards, Semi Radradra and Kaysa Pritchard were there during his stint in the blue and gold, there were plenty of fresh faces in the audience.
“Not everyone has the same problems as you do but if you can get to one person, you could change someone’s life,” he said.
“The basic message I was trying to get out there is to be responsible for your choices.
“Some trigger points that triggered me to drink or party.
“It wasn’t scripted. It was all off the cuff and genuine. I wasn’t standing in front of a screen with points highlighted. It was tough. I got a little bit emotional at some points.”
Reni Maitua representing Samoa.Source: Getty ImagesThe former Bulldog, Shark and Eel admitted that during his own career he felt he was owed something by his club.
It’s an outlook that’s changed over time, largely thanks to something he heard dual international Sonny Bill Williams say.
Now he’s passing it onto the players.
“(Sonny Bill Williams) said, ‘You’re the caretaker of the All Blacks jersey’ and that made sense to me,” Maitua explained.
“I always thought the club owed me something while I was playing but at the end of the day, the club’s been around 70-odd years and will be around another 70 years after me.
“Don’t let your ego let get in the way of what kind of legacy you can leave at the club.”
Replies
At least hes not back to play footy because he was absolute dog shit on the park in his time with us.
So were the rest of the side during that time. He wasnt the worst.
Giving back and doing it for free. At least he knows what giving back is really about.
Well Done Reni
Good story and good on Reni
his best game was against the broncos in 2012, ran through thaiday a couple of times from memory.