Matt Utai
Personal information
Full name	Matthew Utai
Born	25 May 1981 (1981-05-25) (age 28)
	Auckland, New Zealand
Height	168 cm (5 ft 6 in)
Weight	96 kg (15 st 2 lb)
Playing information
Position	Wing
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2002–09	Bulldogs	124	71	0	0	284
2010–	Celtic Crusaders	0	0	0	0	0
	Total	124	71	0	0	284
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2002–05	New Zealand	4	2	0	0	8
2008	Samoa	3	2	0	0	8

Matthew Utai (born 25 May 1981 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer for the Celtic Crusaders in the European Super League competition. His usual position is on the wing.

[edit] Playing career

Possessing an unusually high weight-to-height ratio for a winger, Utai is less prone to collapsing during tackles than most other backs in the NRL. He has been compared to former Melbourne winger Marcus Bai.^{[citation needed]} However, his relatively small stature often makes him the target of high attacking kicks.

He is a member of the Bulldogs' 2004 Premiership winning team in their 16–13 win over the Sydney Roosters, scoring two tries in the match.

He has signed with Welsh super league club Celtic Crusaders for 2010.^[1]

[edit] Representative career

Utai was selected to represent the New Zealand National Team on four occasions between 2002 and 2005, all matches against Australia.

Utai is of Samoan descent and has made himself available for Samoa's 2008 Rugby League World Cup campaign.^[2]

He has been named in the Samoa training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.^[3]

He has been named in the Samoa squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.^[4]

[edit] Career highlights

• First Grade Debut: 2002 - Round 4, Bulldogs vs South Sydney Rabbitohs at Aussie Stadium, 5 April.
• Premierships: 2004 - Bulldogs vs Sydney Roosters.
• Representative Selection: 2002 - New Zealand vs Australia, Wellington, New Zealand, scoring one try.
• Awards: 2002 - Dally M Rookie of the Year.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Matt Utai at NRL.com
• Matt Utai at the Bulldogs
• Matt Utai at the Rugby League Project

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