Ever wanted to get to know Tonga International and London's Mataitonga? Well, I was lucky enough to get the chance to speak to him, with the help of @LondonFaithful, who also helped ask some questions!
Nesiasi Mataitonga was signed by the London Broncos during the 2014 pre-season, after he represented Tonga in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
So, onto the interview!
I always like to start the interviews by asking about the player's childhood. So, talk me me about rugby while growing up?
Growing up I always liked playing sport but really liked playing rugby league. I then just decided at the age of 13 to sign myself up to a local team called Marrickville RSL. From there I wanted to take my career in league further and with the help of my uncle Solomon Haumono. He got me a couple of trials for Harold Matthews, an u'16s competition. The teams were Cronulla Sharks and Manly Sea Eagles, I made both squads and decided together with sol cronulla was the best option. This is where my career began.
How long have you been playing Rugby League for and what are your first memories of playing Rugby League? This year is my 8th year playing rugby league. My first memories of playing rugby league were playing sport and having fun with my mates in a competitive way.
You started your career over in the NRL under 20s league, right? Are there any difference between that league and the Super League? What was it like playing over in the NRL?
I was previously playing in the u'20s Holden Cup for the Cronulla Sharks. Some differences I noticed from the NRL to the Super League is probably the speed of the game is faster in the NRL but I also noticed the super league is a lot more physical then the Holden Cup competition.
How did it feel to represent Tonga in the Rugby League World Cup and to be involved in the massive, successful tournament?
Representing Tonga meant the world to me and also my family. It's my biggest achievement I believe so far and the whole experience was unreal! Also played along some great players I've looked up to growing up. Players like Fuifui Moimoi and Brent Kite.
Did the Rugby League World Cup help to persuade you to come over to England and play in the Super League?
The RLWC played a big role in getting me to Super League. It exposed me to Super League teams which was great. It did persuade me to want to experience playing the Super League.
You joined the London Broncos before the 2014 campaign began, what was that like for you? How was it settling into London life?
Joining the London Broncos for 2014 was a big decision and a massive move for me but also to begin a new chapter in my career. It took a while to settle in and adjust to everything like the weather, time etc. But the boys are a great bunch of lads and made me feel welcomed from day 1.
What nationality are you because you were born in NZ and played for Tonga in the world cup?
I was born in Auckland, New Zealand but both parents are Tongan born and according to my passport my nationality is NZ. I like to say I'm a NZ born-Tongan
What's it like within the London Broncos camp? How has the team been coping with the recent results and negative energy from the media?
Behind closed doors we just focus on what we can control and how we can get better. Obviously our results so far are tough to take especially when we've been close to our first win a couple of times but we look past the past results cause we can't change them now and just keep striving for progress. The negative energy from media just motivates us to play better.
Do you guys believe that you can avoid relegation this season? How big is it for you guys to stay in the top league?
There's always belief in camp that we can avoid relegation. We're gonna fight and do our best till the very end. I also think it's big for any team to avoid relegation as you want to be playing in the top league against the best.
What would you say has been the team's best performance so far this year?
I would probably say our best performance this year so far has been against Wigan but since round 1 there's been a lot of progression.
If you could say anything to the Broncos fans, what would it be?
To all the Broncos fans, I'd just like to say thank you all for sticking with us and showing your support. Your support doesn't go unnoticed so thank you very much. Would also be great to keep building our attendance numbers at The Hive and continue to build a great London atmosphere.
What do you think of the twitter fan-player communication? Does it help that the fans are so positive and send nice messages to you and the rest of the team?
It is always encouraging for players to hear positive things and supportive messages from fans, it also helps motivate players to keep performing.
What has been your best memory in your career so far?
This is easy, representing my country in the World Cup.
Have you got any plans for the future? Would you like to stay at Broncos for a while, or would you one day want to challenge yourself with other teams, too?
I'm enjoying it at the Broncos and the Super League but I've always had goals to play in the NRL.
I always like to ask some team questions, if you don't mind.
Who has the worst music taste within the team?
Josh Drinkwater definitely has the worst taste of music.
Who has the worst dress sense?
I would probably have to say it's between Nick Slyney and Skipper Matt Cook that has the worse dress sense.
Who's the laziest within the team?
I toss up Josh Drinkwater to be the laziest.
Who's the joker in the team?
James Cunningham is definitely up there for joker in the team also the "take me out" man Mike Bishay.
What's the most embarrassing thing that's happened in training or the changing rooms so far this year?
Certain players have had to do forfeits for in house reasons but I can't go into detail HA HA.
That's all the questions. Thanks to Nesiasi Mataitonga for taking some time out to answer the questions, go give him a follow on Twitter @nesiasi and give him a thanks from me!
Thanks for reading!
Nesiasi Mataitonga was signed by the London Broncos during the 2014 pre-season, after he represented Tonga in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
So, onto the interview!
I always like to start the interviews by asking about the player's childhood. So, talk me me about rugby while growing up?
Growing up I always liked playing sport but really liked playing rugby league. I then just decided at the age of 13 to sign myself up to a local team called Marrickville RSL. From there I wanted to take my career in league further and with the help of my uncle Solomon Haumono. He got me a couple of trials for Harold Matthews, an u'16s competition. The teams were Cronulla Sharks and Manly Sea Eagles, I made both squads and decided together with sol cronulla was the best option. This is where my career began.
How long have you been playing Rugby League for and what are your first memories of playing Rugby League? This year is my 8th year playing rugby league. My first memories of playing rugby league were playing sport and having fun with my mates in a competitive way.
You started your career over in the NRL under 20s league, right? Are there any difference between that league and the Super League? What was it like playing over in the NRL?
I was previously playing in the u'20s Holden Cup for the Cronulla Sharks. Some differences I noticed from the NRL to the Super League is probably the speed of the game is faster in the NRL but I also noticed the super league is a lot more physical then the Holden Cup competition.
How did it feel to represent Tonga in the Rugby League World Cup and to be involved in the massive, successful tournament?
Representing Tonga meant the world to me and also my family. It's my biggest achievement I believe so far and the whole experience was unreal! Also played along some great players I've looked up to growing up. Players like Fuifui Moimoi and Brent Kite.
Did the Rugby League World Cup help to persuade you to come over to England and play in the Super League?
The RLWC played a big role in getting me to Super League. It exposed me to Super League teams which was great. It did persuade me to want to experience playing the Super League.
You joined the London Broncos before the 2014 campaign began, what was that like for you? How was it settling into London life?
Joining the London Broncos for 2014 was a big decision and a massive move for me but also to begin a new chapter in my career. It took a while to settle in and adjust to everything like the weather, time etc. But the boys are a great bunch of lads and made me feel welcomed from day 1.
What nationality are you because you were born in NZ and played for Tonga in the world cup?
I was born in Auckland, New Zealand but both parents are Tongan born and according to my passport my nationality is NZ. I like to say I'm a NZ born-Tongan
What's it like within the London Broncos camp? How has the team been coping with the recent results and negative energy from the media?
Behind closed doors we just focus on what we can control and how we can get better. Obviously our results so far are tough to take especially when we've been close to our first win a couple of times but we look past the past results cause we can't change them now and just keep striving for progress. The negative energy from media just motivates us to play better.
Do you guys believe that you can avoid relegation this season? How big is it for you guys to stay in the top league?
There's always belief in camp that we can avoid relegation. We're gonna fight and do our best till the very end. I also think it's big for any team to avoid relegation as you want to be playing in the top league against the best.
What would you say has been the team's best performance so far this year?
I would probably say our best performance this year so far has been against Wigan but since round 1 there's been a lot of progression.
If you could say anything to the Broncos fans, what would it be?
To all the Broncos fans, I'd just like to say thank you all for sticking with us and showing your support. Your support doesn't go unnoticed so thank you very much. Would also be great to keep building our attendance numbers at The Hive and continue to build a great London atmosphere.
What do you think of the twitter fan-player communication? Does it help that the fans are so positive and send nice messages to you and the rest of the team?
It is always encouraging for players to hear positive things and supportive messages from fans, it also helps motivate players to keep performing.
What has been your best memory in your career so far?
This is easy, representing my country in the World Cup.
Have you got any plans for the future? Would you like to stay at Broncos for a while, or would you one day want to challenge yourself with other teams, too?
I'm enjoying it at the Broncos and the Super League but I've always had goals to play in the NRL.
I always like to ask some team questions, if you don't mind.
Who has the worst music taste within the team?
Josh Drinkwater definitely has the worst taste of music.
Who has the worst dress sense?
I would probably have to say it's between Nick Slyney and Skipper Matt Cook that has the worse dress sense.
Who's the laziest within the team?
I toss up Josh Drinkwater to be the laziest.
Who's the joker in the team?
James Cunningham is definitely up there for joker in the team also the "take me out" man Mike Bishay.
What's the most embarrassing thing that's happened in training or the changing rooms so far this year?
Certain players have had to do forfeits for in house reasons but I can't go into detail HA HA.
That's all the questions. Thanks to Nesiasi Mataitonga for taking some time out to answer the questions, go give him a follow on Twitter @nesiasi and give him a thanks from me!
Thanks for reading!