Steve Matai

Stephen Matai (born 5 August 1984) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played in the National Rugby League (NRL )from 2005 to 2016.

A New Zealand national representative centre, he played for Australian club the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.

Of Samoan descent, Matai was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on 5 August 1984.

He is the first cousin of former NRL player, Kiwi and Samoan international Junior Sa'u.

Matai grew up with former Warriors and ex-Kiwi teammate Jerome Ropati.

Matai played rugby league for Mount Albert Grammar in the first XIII alongside Sonny Bill Williams and Thomas Leuluai.

Matai's junior clubs were the Bay Roskill Vikings, Ponsonby Ponies and Richmond Rovers in the Auckland Rugby League.

Matai's senior club was Richmond Rovers before he was selected to play for the Marist Richmond Brothers in the Bartercard Cup, before leaving in 2004.

Matai joined Queensland Cup side Ipswich Jets in 2004 and credits his time spent at the Jets under the coaching of former Queensland, Eastern Suburbs and Brisbane Broncos hard man Trevor Gillmeister for his reputation as the NRL's "Hitman".

Gillmeister, known as "The Axe" for his hard hitting defense, changed Matai's tackling style, teaching him to drive with his legs when making a tackle.

In 2005 Matai moved to another Queensland Cup side, but soon left the Wynnum Manly Seagulls after securing an NRL contract with their associate club, the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

Matai joined the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles from the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in 2005 after impressing during a strong pre season of training and trials at the Brookvale Oval.

In Round 3 of the 2005 NRL season, Matai made his NRL debut for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles against Melbourne, playing at centre in Manly's 25–18 win at Brookvale Oval.

In Round 6 against the Canberra Raiders, Matai scored his first NRL career try in Manly's 36–14 win at Brookvale Oval.

Matai went on to play in 11 matches and score three tries in his debut year in the NRL for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the 2005 NRL season.

Matai went on to play in 24 matches and score 10 tries for the Manly club in the 2006 NRL season.

In the post season Matai was selected for the New Zealand squad for the 2006 Tri-Nations tournament.

On 14 October 2006, Matai made his test debut for New Zealand against Australia, playing at centre in the Kiwis 30–18 loss at Mt Smart Stadium.

Matai featured in the Kiwis' Tri-Nations Grand Final clash with Australia at Sydney Football Stadium.

However, the Kiwis end-up losing 16–12 in golden point extra time.

Matai played in the 2007 NRL Grand Final against Melbourne at centre and scored a try in Manly-Warringah's 34–8 loss.

Matai played 11 matches, scored three tries and kicked 4 goals for Manly-Warringah in injury and suspended riddled year for Matai in the 2007 NRL season.

On 14 October 2007, Matai was sent off by referee Steve Ganson in the trans-Tasman Test at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand, for a high/dangerous tackle on Kangaroos centre Mark Gasnier in the first half of the Trans-Tasman Centenary test game.

Once Matai left the field, the Kangaroos ended-up winning the game 58-0 and giving New Zealand their worst ever defeat by Australia in a trans-Tasman test.

Matai helped the Sea Eagles win the 2008 and 2011 Premierships.

He was also part of the New Zealand national squad that won the nation's maiden title at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

Matai 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, Matai later served his suspension during Manly's trial matches in 2008.

On 5 October 2008, in Manly's 2008 NRL Grand Final against Melbourne, Matai played at and kicked two goals in Manly's 40–0 record victory.

Matai had been an occasional goal kicker for Manly during the year.

Matai played 21 matches, 7 scored tries and kicked 12 goals in a successful year for Manly-Warringah in the 2008 NRL season.

In August 2008, Matai was named in the New Zealand training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

In September 2008, Matai was named in the final 24-man squad.

Matai featured in the Kiwis first World Cup tournament clash against Australia at Sydney Football Stadium.

Matai kicked a conversion goal-attempt to convert Sika Manu's try, but he was placed on-report for a high tackle in the Kiwis 30–6 loss.

Matai missed New Zealand's World Cup match with Papua New Guinea after being handed a one-match ban for a high tackle against Australia.

New Zealand would eventually go on to upset heavy favourites Australia 34–20 in the final to win their maiden World Cup.

The win would cap a successful year for Matai taking the NRL Premiership and World Cup double.

Matai played in 22 matches and scored 3 tries for Manly-Warringah in the 2009 NRL season.

In the post season, Matai was selected in the New Zealand Kiwis' 2009 Rugby League Four Nations squad.

Known particularly for his uncompromising defence, in 2020, Matai was voted the National Rugby League's hardest hitter over the past 30 years.