Cronulla Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo took an unusual path to the Kiwis jersey, but he nevertheless made an immediate impact after earning his initial call-up 2022.

Auckland-born Mulitalo turned out for Ellerslie Eagles as a junior before moving to Queensland as a 13-year-old and emerging through the grades at Ipswich Jets. The promising flyer was snapped up by Cronulla and represented Queensland Under-18s in 2017.

The 19-year-old received an NRL debut for the Sharks in 2019 and finished the year with five tries in eight games, while he made a tryscoring entry to international football in Samoa’s loss to Fiji at Eden Park. He cemented a spot on the flank with 12 touchdowns in 16 appearances in 2020.

Mulitalo became embroiled in an eligibility controversy in 2021 after being selected in Queensland’s State of Origin team. After joining the squad he was ruled ineligible as he did not live in the state before turning 13. Also breaking his jaw during the latter NRL rounds, Mulitalo capped a rollercoaster year by winning the Ken Stephen Medal for services to the community.

Resetting his sights on representing his country of birth, Mulitalo flourished out wide for a burgeoning Cronulla combination in 2022, scoring 17 tries (equal-third in the NRL) as the club powered to a top-four finish.

The 22-year-old was chosen in New Zealand’s mid-season Test squad to take on Tonga in Auckland, scoring a try, making two line-breaks and running for 147 metres in a stellar debut as the Kiwis prevailed 26-6. Flamboyant flyer Mulitalo went away to the World Cup widely regarded as arguably New Zealand’s No.1 winger and scored tries in the group-stage win over Ireland and quarter-final escape against Fiji, before producing a brilliant display in the Kiwis’ gallant semi-final exit at the hands of Australia.

Mulitalo’s tryscoring excellence went up another level in 2023, scoring 21 times in 23 appearances for the sixth-placed Sharks – fourth in the NRL and just one short of the Cronulla club record.

He was one of only two specialist wingers chosen in the Kiwis’ Pacific Championship squad and enjoyed a spectacular post-season campaign. After notching a second-half double and three line-breaks against Samoa, Mulitalo scored in both matches against Australia. The flamboyant flyer was sensational in the 30-0 rout of the Kangaroos in the final, producing a succession of big plays on both sides of the ball.