Sam Mataora

Sam Mataora (born 20 October 1990) is a Cook Island professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League. He plays at prop and second-row and previously played for the Canberra Raiders.

Background

Born in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Mataora moved to Brisbane, Australia when he was 11 years old and played his junior football for Souths Sunnybank while attending Cavendish State High School. He was then signed by the Canberra Raiders.

Playing career

Early career

In 2009 and 2010, Mataora played for the Canberra Raiders' NYC team. In 2009, he played for the Cook Islands in the 2009 Pacific Cup.

2010

In Round 8 of the 2010 NRL season, Mataora made his NRL debut for the Raiders against the New Zealand Warriors. He played for the Junior Kiwis that year and was named at second-row in the 2010 NYC Team of the Year.

2011

In 2011, Mataora was selected in the Cook Islands 18-man squad to face New Zealand at the end of the year, although the NZRL called off the match due to players being unavailable.