View source for Matt Utai

{{Short description|NZ & Samoa international rugby league footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name           = Matt  Utai
|fullname       = Matthew Okeuy Utai<ref>[http://nzleague.co.nz/kiwis/player_profile.php?letter=U&id=694 UTAI, MATTHEW OKEUY 2002 - 2005 - KIWI #694] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402171631/http://nzleague.co.nz/kiwis/player_profile.php?letter=U&id=694 |date=2012-04-02}} ''nzleague.co.nz''</ref>
|image          = Matt Utai.jpg
|imagesize      =
|caption        = 
|birth_date     = {{birth date and age|1981|5|25|df=yes}}
|birth_place    = [[Auckland]], New Zealand
|retired        = yes
|height         = {{convert|168|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}
|weight         = {{convert|103|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
|position       = {{rlp|WG}}
|club1          = [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs|Canterbury Bulldogs]]
|year1start     = 2002
|year1end       = 09 
|appearances1   = 127
|tries1         = 71 
|goals1         = 0 
|fieldgoals1    = 0 
|points1        = 284
|club2          = [[Wests Tigers]]
|year2start     = 2011
|year2end       = 13
|appearances2   = 40
|tries2         = 14
|goals2         = 0 
|fieldgoals2    = 0 
|points2        = 56
|teamA          = [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]]
|yearAstart     = 2002
|yearAend       = 05
|appearancesA   = 4
|triesA         = 2 
|goalsA         = 0 
|fieldgoalsA    = 0 
|pointsA        = 8
|teamB          = [[Samoa national rugby league team|Samoa]] 
|yearBstart     = 2008
|yearBend       = 
|appearancesB   = 3 
|triesB         = 2 
|goalsB         = 0 
|fieldgoalsB    = 0 
|pointsB        = 8
|updated        = 8 September 2013
|source         = <ref>[http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/player-profile?playerid=108466&teamid=3400 League Central]</ref><ref name="Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/matt-utai/summary.html|title=Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|accessdate=1 January 2018}}</ref>
}}

'''Matthew Utai''' (born 25 May 1981) is a former professional [[rugby league]] footballer who last played as a {{rlp|wg}}er for the [[Auburn Warriors]] in the [[Ron Massey Cup]]. A [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand]] and [[Samoa national rugby league team|Samoa]] international representative, he previously played for the [[Wests Tigers]] and the [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]], with whom he won the [[2004 NRL premiership]].<ref name="Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org"/>

==Background==
Utai was born in [[Auckland]], New Zealand, of [[Samoans|Samoan]] descent.

==Playing career==
===Early career===
Utai was a [[Berala Bears]] junior and came through the development squads at the [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]].<ref name=tribute>[http://www.rleague.com/db/player/u/utai_matt/index.php Matt Utai Tribute] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128213441/http://rleague.com/db/player/u/utai_matt/index.php |date=2010-11-28}} ''rleague.com'', 10 October 2009</ref> In 2000, he started the year in Jersey Flegg, but his form warranted promotion to the Reserve Grade side and he played in 16 matches including scoring two tries in the Grand Final victory.

===Canterbury- Bankstown Bulldogs===
Making his [[NRL]] debut in [[2002 NRL season]], he scored 13 tries in 21 appearances and played in only 2 losses all year. However, the club did not play in the semis because of [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs salary cap breach|salary cap breaches]]. He was named the [[Dally M Awards|Dally M]] Rookie of the Year.<ref>{{cite news|work=rugby league project|title=Dally M Rookie Of The Year|url= http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/awards/dally-m-rookie-of-the-year|accessdate=21 April 2012}}</ref> In 2003, he scored 21 tries in 27 games, including scoring triples in three consecutive games.

Near the end of 2004, Utai scored 11 tries in the space of 7 games. He was a member of Canterbury's Premiership-winning team, playing in the [[2004 NRL grand final]] on the wing in their 16&ndash;13 victory over the [[Sydney Roosters]], scoring two tries in the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/retro-match-report-canterbury-bulldogs-beat-sydney-roosters-in-2004-nrl-grand-final/story-fnp0lyn3-1227079995207/|title=Retro match report: Canterbury Bulldogs beat Sydney Roosters in 2004 NRL grand final|website=Daily Telegraph}}</ref>

In a 2006 match, Utai became the first player [[2006 NRL season|that season]] to be sent off, for a swinging arm on the [[Wests Tigers]]' [[Stuart Flanagan]]. He was suspended for five weeks. He played in the club's 2006 preliminary final defeat against the [[Brisbane Broncos]] where he scored a try in a 37–20 loss.  At halftime, Canterbury had led the match 20–6.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/utai-gets-five-week-ban-for-high-shot-20060704-gdnw2u.html/|title=Utai gets five-week ban for high shot|website=Sydney Morning Herald|date=4 July 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-09-22/broncos-bury-bulldogs-with-record-comeback/1269812/|title=Broncos bury Bulldogs with record comeback|newspaper=ABC News|date=22 September 2006}}</ref>

In the [[2007 NRL season]], Utai missed nearly the entire year through injury, but returned in 2008 and made 12 appearances as Canterbury endured a horror year on and off the field which included star player [[Sonny Bill Williams]] walking out on the club midway through the season. Canterbury would finish last in 2008 after winning five games all year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://the81stminute.com/2017/08/most-boring-team-ever-2008-wooden-spoon-bulldogs-would-beat-2017-version-by-twenty-points/|title=Most boring team ever? 2008 wooden spoon Bulldogs would beat 2017 version by twenty points|website=The81stminute|date=12 August 2017}}</ref>

In 2009, Utai spent most of the season playing for the Bankstown City side in the [[NSW Cup]]. He became the only Canterbury-Bankstown player to win five premierships across all grades when Bankstown City won the grand final that year.<ref name=tribute/>

===Crusaders RL===
He originally signed the [[Crusaders Rugby League|Crusaders]] Super League club for 2010 but failed to recover from a knee injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby/2009/11/21/matt-set-for-crus-control-115875-21838504/|title=Brian Noble snaps up Matt Utai for Crusaders - Mirror Online|publisher=Mirror.co.uk|date=2009-11-21|accessdate=2013-09-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12196_5814305,00.html| work=Sky Sports| title=Clock ticking for Crusaders}}</ref> Instead Utai joined NSW Country Rugby League Club, Young in Group 9.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.youngwitness.com.au/news/local/sport/rugby-league/cherrypickers-sign-utai/1712169.aspx |title=Cherrypickers sign Utai - Local News - Sport - Rugby League - the Young Witness |accessdate=2010-01-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706113729/http://www.youngwitness.com.au/news/local/sport/rugby-league/cherrypickers-sign-utai/1712169.aspx |archive-date=2011-07-06 }}</ref> Utai was then released from Young and joined the Auburn Warriors.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://amp.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/bungle-dogs-matt/news-story/ac2d4cbb71c28c811058101ef1cb9619 |title=Bungle dogs Matt |publisher=Courier-Mail |date=15 April 2010 |access-date=4 December 2021}}</ref> He would have signed with the [[Wests Tigers]] but Welsh Super League club Crusaders demanded a compensation fee of $130,00.

[[File:Matt_Utai2.jpg|thumb|right|Utai playing for the Wests Tigers side in the NSW Cup]]

===Wests Tigers===
Utai joined the [[Wests Tigers]] in 2011, making his first appearance in the first round of the season. He was a regular on the wing throughout the season, and was re-signed for 2012,<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|title=Matt Utai signs with Wests Tigers for one more year|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/matt-utai-signs-with-wests-tigers-for-one-more-year/story-e6frexnr-1226210635088|accessdate=3 January 2012|date=1 December 2011}}</ref> and signed a one-year extension in October 2012.<ref>{{cite news|author=Adrian Proszenko|work=Sydney Morning Herald|title=Eels poised to do some hard time|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/eels-poised-to-do-some-hard-time-20121006-2761k.html#ixzz28bdCml4f|accessdate=4 November 2012|date=7 October 2012}}</ref>

===Auburn Warriors===
In 2017, Utai signed on with the [[Auburn Warriors]] in the Ron Massey cup.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2017/09/21/preview--ron-massey-cup-grand-final/ |title=PREVIEW: Ron Massey Cup Grand Final |publisher=NSW Rugby League |date=21 September 2017 |access-date=4 December 2021}}</ref> On 24 September, he scored the only try for Auburn in their [[Ron Massey Cup]] grand final defeat by The [[Wentworthville Magpies]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://leagueunlimited.com/news/31055-results-2017-ron-massey-cup-grand-final/|title=Wentworthville swoop to claim 2017 Ron Massey Cup » League Unlimited|date=24 September 2017 }}</ref>

== Representative career==
Utai was selected to represent the [[New Zealand national rugby league team|New Zealand National Team]] on four occasions between 2002 and 2005, all matches against [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]].

Utai is of [[Samoans|Samoan]] descent and made himself available for [[Samoa national rugby league team|Samoa's]] [[2008 Rugby League World Cup]] campaign.<ref name="Mateo forced to declare his allegiance">{{cite web|url=http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/australia-or-else/2008/04/29/1209234862114.html|title=Mateo forced to declare his allegiance|publisher=LeagueHQ|date=2008-04-30|accessdate=2008-04-29|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502135826/http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/news/australia-or-else/2008/04/29/1209234862114.html|archive-date=2 May 2008}}</ref><ref name="Samoa name World Cup Squad">{{cite web|url=http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=16750 |title=Samoa name World Cup Squad |publisher=League Unlimited |date=2008-08-05 |accessdate=2008-08-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717060051/http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=16750 |archive-date=2011-07-17 }}</ref> He was named in the [[Samoa national rugby league team#2008 World Cup squad|Samoa]] squad,<ref name="Samoa, Tonga and Fiji name squads">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7658506.stm|title=Samoa, Tonga and Fiji name squads|publisher=BBC|date=2008-10-08|accessdate=2008-10-09}}</ref> and went on to score two tries in his three appearances on the wing.

== Career highlights ==
*''First Grade debut:'' 2002 - Round 4, Canterbury-Bankstown vs [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]] at [[Sydney Football Stadium (1988)|Aussie Stadium]], 5 April
*''Premierships:'' 2004 - Canterbury-Bankstown vs [[Sydney Roosters]]
*''Representative selection:'' 2002 - New Zealand vs Australia, [[Wellington]], New Zealand, scoring one try
*''Awards:'' 2002 - [[Dally M Medal|Dally M]] ''[[List of Dally M Awards Winners#2002|Rookie of the Year]]''
*''Falcon:'' 2011 - Best Falcon Ever

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080222044806/http://www.nrl.com.au/Clubs/Bulldogs/BulldogsPlayerProfile/tabid/186/playerid/425/Default.aspx Matt Utai at ''NRL.com'']
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130317051421/http://www.weststigers.com.au/playerprofiledisplay/Wests%20Tigers/Matt%20Utai/4060 Matt Utai at the ''Tigers'']

{{Bulldogs squad 2004 NRL premiership}}
{{New Zealand 2004 Rugby League Tri Nations squad}}
{{Samoa 2008 Rugby League World Cup squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Utai, Matt}}
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century New Zealand sportsmen]]
[[Category:Auburn Warriors players]]
[[Category:Bay Roskill Vikings players]]
[[Category:Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players]]
[[category:New Zealand emigrants to Australia]]
[[Category:New Zealand expatriate rugby league players in Australia]]
[[Category:New Zealand national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:New Zealand rugby league players]]
[[Category:New Zealand sportspeople of Samoan descent]]
[[Category:Rugby league centres]]
[[Category:Rugby league players from Auckland]]
[[Category:Rugby league wingers]]
[[Category:Samoa national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:Samoan emigrants to Australia]]
[[Category:Samoan rugby league players]]
[[Category:Wests Tigers NSW Cup players]]
[[Category:Wests Tigers players]]