The Cumberland Throw

Ma’u and Matagi – Crashing Through The Barriers

Gang life in New Zealand.

The young people immersing themselves in that lifestyle walk down a path of violence, drugs, alcohol and ultimately incarceration. It’s a downward spiral that can mark their papers for life – preventing them from fulfilling their potential.

Yet within the ranks of the Eels forwards this year there are two key members who spent their formative years doing wrong on the streets of Auckland. It’s a testimony to their character that such a past was left behind, but not forgotten. Manu Ma’u and Suaia Matagi share more than just the colours of the Eels jersey. They share a pride that comes from proving that they are more than the youths who spent time behind bars.

Their stories are inspirational.

A Common Thread

Manu and Suaia were both born in 1988. Of Tongan and Samoan heritage respectively, they each found a second family in their street gangs. Fuelled and blurred by a regular diet of alcohol, acts of violence became commonplace. Neither had little ambition outside of the streets, and little fear of the repercussions of this lifestyle.

Yet an inevitability awaited them both.

Revenge would be the motivation. Delivering street justice their downfall. Arrests and imprisonment for their acts of violence saw each enter the prison system as teenagers. Suaia Matagi received his sentence in 2006 at just 17 years of age. Manu Ma’u was arrested and convicted of his crimes at only 19.

Reality kicked in. No prison system, particularly one in New Zealand, is a place to be when you’re so young. Seeing the pain of separation in the eyes of their family and loved ones, a determination to change set Manu and Suaia on a path to better lives. It would be no overnight change. It would require faith, goal setting and hard work. There was time to be served and challenges on the outside.

But above all else, these men had a common ambition – they would not be defined by their acts as misguided youth. Their lives moving forward would prove that.

(The terrific TVNZ Sunday program’s report on Manu Ma’u is not currently available but you can learn more about Suaia Matagi’s story here)

Take No Prisoners

“Crash” – it’s the name of a popular New Zealand prison game, a no holds barred contest in which the inmates challenge themselves by charging into a line of their peers and taking whatever that delivers. That meant plenty of elbows and knees – there were no referees on the concrete fields of the “big house”.

This “game” earned prison yard respect for both Ma’u and Matagi, and sparked the flame of desire to take their physical blessings to the NRL. Neither man had a strong background in organised sport. Ma’u had played football without any ambition and Matagi had not played competitive footy at all. For blokes in their late teens behind bars, these were lofty ambitions. Their prison mates may have shared their faith, but few others would.

On The Outside

There was a harsh truth to be faced by these men on their release from prison. Supporting their families and achieving their goals would not be easy. Getting work is no cakewalk for someone just out of gaol. Each worked in different jobs to put food on the plate. The rugby league journey would have to start at the local level. Their footy began successfully and earned them exposure through their respective appearances with the Auckland Vulcans, the Warriors feeder team in the NSW Cup.

Yet there was still a price to pay for wrongs of the past. Visa restriction barriers would prevent Ma’u and Matagi from entering Australia. There’s not much of a future in the NRL if you’re not permitted to walk on Australian soil. But these men were made to crash through barriers. With their faith, determination, family support and some representation from people who believed in them, visas were issued and NRL contracts were signed.

Matagi’s Career

It’s unbelievably impressive to go from a background devoid of organised sport to be a leading player in Auckland’s Fox Memorial Cup. Yet that’s what Suaia Matagi achieved soon after his release from prison. New Zealand Residents and Auckland Representative team selections followed from 2009 to 2012, and during that period he made appearances for the Auckland Vulcans, the Warriors NSW Cup team.

Following visa clearances and some barnstorming appearances for the Vulcans in 2012, Matagi earned a 2013 NRL contract with the Warriors and made his first grade debut against the Bulldogs on May 11 of that year. Eventually, he would notch up 36 appearances for the Warriors from 2013 to 2015. International honours for Samoa (5 caps) and New Zealand (1 cap) would be proud moments during his tenure. His time there would end with a 2015 mid season transfer and a trip across the ditch to the Roosters.

Matagi’s shift to the tri-colours would only be fleeting. After seven appearances at the back end of 2015, the stocky prop moved to the foot of the mountains, becoming one of the mainstays in the Panthers 2016 team. With a total of 23 appearances for the season, it came as a great surprise that he was no longer a high priority for the Penrith club. His acquisition by the Eels made few headlines but left plenty of smiles at the Saleyards headquarters of the blue and golds.

Matagi – a fine acquisition for the Eels.

At 107 kg and 179cm (or around 5ft10 on the old imperial scale), Matagi is a compact and robust prop. He has surprising pace for someone who plays in rugby leagues engine room and the Parramatta faithful can expect high impact collisions in both attack and defence. He has the ability to ball play before, at, or in the line, a skill which will be welcomed into the Eels pack. His highlights package from his days at the Warriors leaves no doubt as to why he held cult status with their supporters. His brief appearance for the Eels at the Auckland Nines was a taste of things to come.

Ma’u’s Career

Like Matagi, Manu Ma’u would have to begin his rugby league career in the Auckland domestic level upon his release from prison. Although Manu’s background included the famed rugby league nursery, St Pauls College in Auckland, football was nothing more than an outlet for his anger. He was quoted as saying, “it was more of a negative thing”.

Unlike Matagi, visa clearances did not take Ma’u from the Vulcans to the Warriors. Instead, through the persistence of his management, Peter Nolan, Anthony Field and the Parramatta club, Manu journeyed  to Australia in 2013. His debut appearance in Eels colours in Round 1 of 2014 would ironically be against the Warriors.

There would be very little about Manu’s career with the Eels that supporters would not be familiar with. (For those who enjoy a highlights package, a 2015 compilation can be viewed here.) Under the guidance of Brad Arthur, a man much loved by Manu, the back rower has made 57 top grade appearances for the club. International honours for Tonga (2 caps) and New Zealand (6 caps) have been richly deserved, as was the 2016 Ken Thornett Medal, awarded by his peers as the best player at the club.

Proud – Manu with his Ken Thornett Medal.

It’s little wonder that he’s so highly regarded within the club. At 184cm and 105kgs his size and agility are a constant menace to defences as is his ability to promote the ball in traffic. Ball runners fear his punishing hits. Furthermore, Manu’s good lateral movement, so essential when defending out wide, provides the versatlity for him to shift to the centres to cover injuries.

On a personal note, I was fortunate enough to attend the Thornett Medal night and witness Manu’s acceptance of the award. This bloke is a humble, quietly spoken individual, and he needed few words to express his feelings about what the award meant to him and his admiration for Brad Arthur. Before congratulating him, I watched as he took a quiet moment to look at the medal hanging around his neck. Maybe he was reflecting on the journey he had taken to reach such a proud moment. I think I had a tear in my eye.

The Future

As Matagi and Ma’u approach the 2017 season, there’s little doubt that they’ll focus more on what lies ahead rather than what’s been left behind. Is it destiny that the two find themselves at the same club, continuing their inspiring journey? The lesson for others, as these men crash through the defensive line barriers on the field, is that you can break down the barriers of a past that threatens to define you. You can create a new legacy to be proud of. Just believe!

Eels forever!

Sixties

Images courtesy of the NRL and the Parramatta Eels

 

 

 

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39 thoughts on “Ma’u and Matagi – Crashing Through The Barriers

  1. Colin Hussey

    Camaraderie, in more than one area seems to be a great link with these two players, in more ways than one. I think they will form a very strong combo when on the field together.

  2. Big Derek

    Sixties, a great story on a couple of real achievers, thanks for sharing it. We may have known a little of the story but perhaps seeing it in writing will make us all appreciate their journey. Let’s hope a few of our younger boys read what they have done, and believe there is a path they can follow

  3. Jimmy Corbo

    A very nice read, with all the dramas surrounding our club in recent years it’s great to hear about players that have turned their life around for the betterment of themselves, their family and luckily for us, our beloved Eels.

  4. Trouser Eel

    A beautifully written piece Sixties.
    I must admit I’ve been proven wrong. I was not pleased to hear the club had recruited an ex-con and thought it would only lead to another scandal at some time or other down the track.
    Manu is a credit to himself, and his family of supporters who no doubt deserve some credit for helping him achieve as much as he has.

    1. Anonymous

      Think with matagi and probably auva we need to have faith in ba,s judgement and his no nonsense attitude but also admire the fact he gives people an opportunity to be better people , remember whatever people did elsewhere that stays there , just so long as they do the right thing by us !

      1. sixties Post author

        How true is that! It explains why Manu loves BA so much and why so many players talk about BA as their inspiration for being an Eel.

    2. sixties Post author

      Thanks Trouser. You were lucky enough to also witness Manu’s pride at winning the Ken Thornett medal. Would not be surprised to see Matagi poll well this year.

  5. Anonymous

    That a great story on both seams like they have turned the corner , might have to apy a visit to the Gaol see if any more are there .

  6. The Shayno

    Great redemption story and two guys with plenty of steel and character.

    Haven’t seen much of Matagi but excited by the reports and a more than handy front row replacement it would seem as for Manu he has been a revelation for us and I look forward to watching him again this season and continue to evolve

    Great Story !!

  7. Mitchy

    Superb read Sixties. I was t aware of the Matagi background but gee these boys would have some stories to tell, and the fact they have come through so far.
    Think we can call this determination, discipline and dedication. I just hope some others read this about people who have come through, and started to turn things around. I also think Sixties they’ll have some boys back in A, B, C and D wings in Auckland supporting them with some good tales too.
    Great read mate. Well done.

    1. sixties Post author

      Thanks Mitchy. These two must be an inspiration for others that your life can be turned around. Might just have a few more Eels supporters in Auckland this year.
      Proud to say that this post is getting a few reads from across the ditch.

      1. Mitchy

        Band 8 mate,…
        We hope to have more kiwis following us…across the ditch. It also shows these two guys have a fair bit of humility and credit to BA and co for the astute purchases in these two. They both have played a few NRL games, and excelled. Matagi is a sue orb pick up and cannot believe pennies let him go so easily, or was it a chane to play first grade ? As pennies picked up Tamou…our gain anyway.

        1. Anonymous

          Clubs have to make choices Mitchy. The Riff have spent big on Tamou. We’ve recruited intelligently with Matagi.

          1. Mitchy

            I agree Anonymous. our gain and I would like to see stats at season end of Matagi and Tamou, barring injuries etc.

  8. Kramerica

    Great article mate. Your writing is top class.
    You guys are going from strength to strength.
    Kudos 🙂

    1. sixties Post author

      Appreciate you dropping by mate. Thanks for the compliment. We’re pretty happy with how our site is ticking along. Can’t wait for the footy to start.

  9. Shovels

    New to site, actually a supporters site thats intelligent informative and supportive, what a novel concept, kudos to writer and look forward to more articles of this nature, there would be plenty of journos out there who like to put their signature to this work!

  10. Rise of an Empire

    An absolutely great read sixties, I don’t believe anyone could of wrote that article any better. Can’t wait for the to begin.

    1. sixties Post author

      Thanks for that Rise of an Empire. My main motivation was to share this with as many people as possible because these men have truly made their families proud. Change didn’t fall in their laps, they made it happen. To have both blokes together at the Eels is remarkable, if not an act of destiny.

      1. Manginina

        Spot on Sixties. They both made it happen. Makes it so inspirational. I love to hear of people’s redemption stories. (story superbly written). As Jack Gibson once said you don’t get lucky sitting in the shade.

        1. sixties Post author

          When I spoke with Manu yesterday, it only served to reinforce what a genuine and humble man he is. You’re right Manginina, these two made it happen.

  11. Mapik

    Anyone see Proszenko’s article on Matagi today? One feels like he should have footnoted this piece. Great article 60s.

    1. sixties Post author

      Many thanks for your support Mapik. None of the blokes on TCT are professional writers, so it gives us all great encouragement to get positive comments like yours.

      Proshenks often gives me feedback on my writing, so I’m certainly appreciative of his support. He had conducted his interview with Matagi the previous week, quite independent of my post. I’d like to think that the two articles compliment each other.

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