Born: March 23, 1988
Test record: 1 Test (2014) – 0 points
Tours: 2014 Four Nations

Powerhouse prop Suaia Matagi represented the Kiwis in one Test amid penning one of rugby league’s more celebrated redemption stories.

Auckland-born Matagi fell into gang life as a teenager and, as a 17-year-old in 2006, was sentenced to prison for three years for an assault.

Upon his release, Matagi began playing rugby league for the first time for Te Atatu Roosters and then Mount Albert Lions, earning Auckland and New Zealand Residents selection.

After several seasons playing for Auckland Vulcans, the Warriors’ NSW Cup feeder team, and winning the 2012 New Zealand domestic player of the year award, he received a chance with the Warriors in 2013.

Matagi was an instant hit as a 25-year-old NRL rookie, playing 11 games that season and representing Samoa at the World Cup. Coupling ferocious ball-running with rock-solid defence, he did not miss a game for the Warriors in 2014 and was chosen in New Zealand’s Four Nations squad. His sole appearance was off the bench against Samoa in a nail-biting 14-12 win in Whangarei.

But Matagi slipped down the pecking order at the Warriors in early-2015 and joined the heavyweight Sydney Roosters mid-season, making a finals appearance for minor premiers. He then helped Penrith (2016) and Parramatta (2017) to return to the playoffs in his respective first seasons with neighbouring clubs, before representing Samoa at the 2017 World Cup.

Matagi left the Eels midway through 2018, linking with Huddersfield. After three seasons with the Giants, he had subsequent stints with Castleford (2021-23), and lower-level clubs Halifax (2023) and Doncaster (2024).