Born: May 25, 1981 – Auckland
Test record: 4 Tests (2002-05) – 2 tries (8 points)
Tours: 2004 Tri Nations

Nuggetty powerhouse Matt Utai rocketed onto the NRL landscape as the top rookie of 2002, immediately stamping himself as one of the game’s most potent try-scorers on the end of the high-flying Bulldogs’ backline and earning a New Zealand Test debut.

Auckland-born, Utai moved to Sydney and was a Berala Bears junior before progressing through the Bulldogs’ ranks – featuring in the club’s 2000-01 Jersey Flegg grand final victories.

The 21-year-old winger scored 13 tries in first grade in 2002 to nab Dally M Rookie of the Year honours in a hot field, while he tempered the disappointment of the Bulldogs’ salary cap breach penalty with a Kiwis call-up.

Utai scored a try in the Kiwis’ gallant 32-24 post-season loss to Australia in Wellington, but he withdrew from the subsequent tour of Britain and France with injury. He played in the 48-6 mid-season loss to the Kangaroos in Sydney, while he was in devastating form at club level again with 21 tries.

After starring in the Bulldogs’ 2004 premiership triumph – crossing for 13 tries in their last 10 games, including a typically barnstorming double in the gripping grand final defeat of Sydney Roosters – Utai made his third Test appearance in the 16-all draw with Australia at North Harbour that kicked off the Tri Nations.

Utai’s fourth and final appearance for New Zealand came in the 2005 Anzac Test, dotting down in a 32-16 loss at Suncorp Stadium.

He later represented Samoa at the 2008 World Cup, scoring two tries in their three matches, and departed the Bulldogs at the end of 2009 after several injury-hampered seasons.

A move to Super League club Celtic Crusaders in 2010 was aborted due to a knee injury and he spent the year with Ron Massey Cup side Auburn Warriors. Utai linked with Wests Tigers the following season, exiting the NRL arena in 2013 with a record of 85 tries in 167 games. He played in Auburn’s 2017 Ron Massey Cup grand final loss.