Ben Matulino

Ben Matulino
Personal information
Full name Ben Andrew Matulino
Born (1989-01-03) 3 January 1989
Wellington, New Zealand
Height 193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight 107 kg (16 st 12 lb; 236 lb)
Playing information
Position Prop, Second-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2008– NZ Warriors 196 16 0 0 64
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2009–15 New Zealand 23 1 0 0 4
As of 30 March 2016
Source: [1]

Ben Andrew Matulino (born 3 January 1989) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League. A New Zealand national representative front-row forward, he has played his entire NRL career to date with the Warriors. Matulino is the first NRL player that graduated from the NYC to play 150 NRL career matches.[2]

Early years

Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Matulino is of Samoan descent.[3] Growing up in Lower Hutt, he was educated at St Bernard's College, playing 1st XV rugby union for the College. Matulino decided to convert to rugby league due to lack of game time in union.[4] Matulino was named in the squad to attend the 2005 New Zealand under-16 high performance camp.[5] Matulino won the College Sport Wellington Rugby League player of the year in 2006. Also that year Matulino made the Junior Kiwis, and in 2007 he played for the New Zealand under 18s. Matulino played for Te Aroha Eels before making the Wellington Orcas squad for the Bartercard Cup.[6]

Playing career

2008

Matulino signed with the Newcastle Knights before changing his mind as he wished to stay in New Zealand. Matulino was signed by the New Zealand Warriors soon after.[7] Matulino started the 2008 season playing for the Junior Warriors in the Toyota Cup. Matulino made his NRL debut in Round 14 against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at Remondis Stadium off the interchange bench in the Warriors 24–8 loss.[8][9] In Round 22 against the Brisbane Broncos, Matulino scored his first NRL career try in the Warriors 16–12 win at Mt Smart Stadium.[10] In August 2008 he was named in both the Samoan and New Zealand training squads for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup but was not selected in either final 24-man squad.[11][12] Matulino was named in the Toyota Cup Under 20 Team of the Year in 2008 alongside teammate Russell Packer. Matulino finished his Toyota Cup career with thirteen appearances and two tries.[13] Matulino played in 15 matches and scored a try in his debut year in the NRL for the New Zealand Warriors in the 2008 NRL season.

Matulino in 2009

2009

Matulino finished the 2009 NRL season with him playing in 18 matches for the Warriors. Matulino was named in the New Zealand Kiwis 2009 Four Nations squad and made his debut against France on 1 November 2009 in the Kiwis 62–12 shellacking win at Stade Ernest Wallon in Toulouse.[14] Matulino scored his first New Zealand international try in the Kiwis 20–12 loss to England at Alfred McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield.[15] Matulino played in 2 matches of the series.

2010

For the 2010 Anzac Test, Matulino was selected to play for New Zealand from the interchange bench in their 12–8 loss against Australia at AAMI Park.[16] On 4 August 2010, Matulino extended his contract with the Warriors until 2013.[17] Matulino finished the 2010 NRL season with him playing in all the Warriors' 25 matches and scoring 2 tries. Matulino was selected for the New Zealand squad for the 2010 Four Nations series.[18] Matulino played off the interchange bench in Kiwis 16–12 win over Australia at Suncorp Stadium, making the Kiwis 2010 Four Nations champions.[19]

2011

For the 2011 Anzac Test, Matulino was selected to play for New Zealand from the interchange bench in the Kiwis 20–10 loss against Australia at Cbus Super Stadium.[20] Matulino was selected to play for the Warriors on the interchange bench in the 2011 NRL Grand Final in which the Warriors were defeated 24–10 by the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. Matulino finished the 2011 NRL season with him playing in all of the Warriors' 28 matches and scoring 2 tries.[21][22] In the post season, Matulino selected for the Kiwis squad for the 2011 Four Nations series, playing in 3 matches.[23]

2012

For the 2012 Anzac Test, Matulino was selected to play for New Zealand at prop in the Kiwis' 20–12 loss against Australia at Eden Park.[24] In Round 15 against the Sharks at Remondis Stadium, Matulino played his 100th NRL career match in the Warriors 20–19 loss.[25] On 28 June 2012, Matulino extended his contract his with the Warriors to the end of the 2015 season.[26] Matulino finished the 2012 NRL season with him being named the Warriors Player of the Year with him playing in 22 matches and scoring 3 tries.[27] In October 2012, Matulino was selected to play for New Zealand in the one off October test at 1300SMILES Stadium off the interchange bench in the Kiwis' 18–10 loss.[28]

2013

For the 2013 Anzac Test, Matulino was selected to play for New Zealand from the interchange bench in the Kiwis' 32–12 loss against Australia at Canberra Stadium.[29] Matulino finished the 2013 NRL season with him playing in all of the Warriors' 24 matches and scoring a try. In the post season, Matulino was included in the New Zealand 2013 Rugby League World Cup squad,[30] playing in 5 matches, including playing off the interchange bench in the Kiwis' 34–2 loss to Australia in the World Cup final at Old Trafford.[31]

2014

In Round 24 against the Sydney Roosters at Mt Smart Stadium, Matulino played his 150th match in the Warriors' 46–12 loss.[32] Matulino is the first player who graduated from the NYC to play in 150 NRL matches.[2] Matulino finished off the Warriors 2014 NRL season with him playing in 20 matches and scoring 4 tries. On 7 September, Matulino was selected for the New Zealand Kiwis 2014 Four Nations 24-man squad.[33]

2015

On 16 January 2015, Matulino was named in the Warriors' 2015 Auckland Nines squad.[34] On 5 February, Matulino re-signed with the New Zealand Warriors on a 2-year contract to the end of the 2017 season.[35] Matulino was selected for New Zealand in the 2015 Anzac Test against Australia at Suncorp Stadium, which the Kiwis won 26-12.[36] Matulino finished the 2015 NRL season with him playing in 21 matches and scoring 2 tries for the Warriors. On 8 September 2015, Matulino was named in the New Zealand Kiwis' training squad.[37] On 15 September 2015, Matulino was named as the New Zealand Warriors' Player of the Year for the second time in four years.[38] On 8 October, Matulino was selected in the 23-man New Zealand squad to tour England.[39] Matulino played in all 3 matches against England in the Kiwis 2-1 Baskerville Shield series loss.

2016

On 29 January 2016, Matulino was selected in the Warriors' 2016 Auckland Nines squad.[40]

References

  1. ↑ "Ben Matulino - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  2. 1 2 "Game 150 just another match for Matulino". NRL.com. 2014-08-20. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  3. ↑ "Pacific all-stars eye games against England". stuff.co.nz. 13 November 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  4. ↑ "Matulino still pinching himself". NZPA. Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  5. ↑ Big Vodafone Warriors Flavour in Squads Official Warriors Website
  6. ↑ Johnstone, Duncan (9 April 2011). "Matulino, Masoe great mates off the field". The Press. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  7. ↑ David Long (2013-05-11). "ABs to thank for Matulino staying with Warriors". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  8. ↑ "Sharks do it ugly over Warriors". ABC News.
  9. ↑ "'Bruise Brothers' test for Warriors rookie". The Dominion Post. 10 June 2008. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  10. ↑ "Broncos trip up in Auckland - Sport - BrisbaneTimes". Brisbanetimes.com.au. 2008-08-09. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  11. ↑ "Samoa name World Cup Squad". League Unlimited. 5 August 2008. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2008.
  12. ↑ "Kiwis select Sonny Bill". Sky Sports. 8 August 2008. Retrieved 8 August 2008.
  13. ↑
  14. ↑ "New Zealand hit France with full force". League Unlimited.
  15. ↑ David Lawrenson. "Rugby League Four Nations: England 20-12 New Zealand". the Guardian.
  16. ↑ "Kangaroos v New Zealand Trans Tasman Test". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  17. ↑ "Matulino, Ta'ai extend Warriors contracts". 3 News. 3 August 2010. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  18. ↑ "Kiwi squad for Four Nations announced". Stuff.
  19. ↑ "Home - Live Scores & Latest News - Fox Sports". Fox Sports. 30 March 2016.
  20. ↑ "Australia Beat New Zealand 20-10". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  21. ↑ "2011 NRL Grand Final". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  22. ↑ "Home - Live Scores & Latest News - Fox Sports". Fox Sports. 30 March 2016.
  23. ↑ "Home - Live Scores & Latest News - Fox Sports". Fox Sports. 30 March 2016.
  24. ↑ "Lowdown on Test". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  25. ↑ "Home - Live Scores & Latest News - Fox Sports". Fox Sports. 30 March 2016.
  26. ↑ "Ben Matulino sticking with Warriors long-term". Stuff.
  27. ↑ "Ben Matulino Named New Zealand Warriors Player of the Year". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  28. ↑ "Home - Live Scores & Latest News - Fox Sports". Fox Sports. 30 March 2016.
  29. ↑ "Australia Beats New Zealand 32-12 at Canberra Stadium". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  30. ↑ "Rugby League World Cup 2013".
  31. ↑ "Australia 34 New Zealand 2: Kangaroos crowned world champions". Mail Online. 30 November 2013.
  32. ↑ "Roosters on fire in Warriors rout". NRL.com. 2014-08-24. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  33. ↑ "KIWIS NAME FOUR NATIONS TRAIN-ON SQUAD". Rugby League Week.
  34. ↑ "WARRIORS NAME 2015 NINES SQUAD". Rugby League Week.
  35. ↑ SARAH HARVEY (5 February 2015). "Front rower Ben Matulino re-signs with New Zealand Warriors". Stuff.
  36. ↑ "New Zealand's Comprehensive Defeat of Australia Could Spell the End for Coach Tim Sheens and Several Veterans". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  37. ↑ "League: Kiwis to manage Mannering's workload on England tour". The New Zealand Herald.
  38. ↑ "Ben Matulino wins Warriors' player of year award for second time". Stuff. 15 September 2015.
  39. ↑ "Kiwis name squad for England tour". NRL.com. 2015-10-08. Retrieved 2015-12-20.
  40. ↑ "Warriors name 2016 Nines squad - Rugby League Week". Rugby League Week.

External links

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