New Zealand winger Ronaldo Mulitalo has opened up on the emotional battle that comes with playing against Samoa on the international stage.
The Sharks star was born in New Zealand but has Samoan heritage and made his Test debut for the nation in 2019.
Samoa's return to this year's Pacific Championships will see Mulitalo play against the nation for the second time in his career, with the two countries to kick off the tournament at Go Media Stadium on October 19.
The winger missed last year's campaign but scored a double in the Kiwis' 50-0 victory over Samoa in 2023.
Ronaldo gets two
While conceding it is difficult to take on the Pacific Island nation, Mulitalo is excited to represent both sides of his heritage when the two teams face off later this year.
"I'm a proud Samoan, my family has deep heritage there so it's not an easy week for me playing against Samoa," Mulitalo said. "I've got to respect New Zealand and respect Samoa by going my hardest.
"It is a tough week for my family and myself, it's never easy playing your country of heritage but I'm looking forward to that battle if I do get the chance to play for New Zealand."
Mulitalo is one of the most prolific try-scorers in the NRL and has overcome a lean start to the season to find his best form in the past month.
Match: Bulldogs v Sharks
Round 27 -
home Team
Bulldogs
3rd Position
away Team
Sharks
5th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
The winger has scored eight tries in his past five games and is looking to add to the tally when the Sharks take on Canterbury at Accor Stadium on Saturday night.
Mulitalo played a key role in New Zealand's shock victory over the Kangaroos in the 2023 Pacific Championships, with the winger scoring four tries throughout the campaign.
The 25-year-old, however was forced to watch last year's tournament from the sidelines after picking up a knee injury at the back-end of the NRL season.
The Kiwis were hit hard by injuries leading into the competition and a young squad struggled. The side lost to both the Kangaroos and Tonga before defeating Papua New Guinea in a promotion-relegation game.
The winning moment: Katoa
Mulitalo has kept in touch with New Zealand coach Stacey Jones throughout the past few months and is desperate to return to the side this year.
"Every time I get the chance to play for New Zealand is a privilege," Mulitalo said. "Last year due to injury I couldn't put myself in that position to play, which was unfortunate but I've spoken to Stacey a fair bit.
"I know what I can bring to the team, what I do off the field, on the field and I bring that every week. Stacey knows what he'll get from me if I do get that jersey. Nothing changes from me, I go about my business, focus on my effort areas and compete every week."
Mulitalo isn't the only Kiwi looking to return in 2025, with Jahrome Hughes among the crop Jones hopes to have available this season.
The halfback spearheaded New Zealand's stunning 30-0 victory over the Kangaroos in 2023 but was a late withdrawal from last year's campaign. Hughes is set to return from a shoulder injury this weekend but could be set for off-season surgery.
Soak up the post-match scenes in Waikato
The loss marked Australia's biggest Test defeat and was the first time they had been held scoreless in 18 years.
Mulitalo said it's a match he will forever remember but is determined to create new memories this season.
"My last time in that jersey we did something special against Australia that hadn't been done before," he said. "Those memories live on forever. I'll be telling my grandchildren about that day and it will be in the history books for a long time.
"That's my fondest memory and one of my proudest times in that black jersey but I don't want to settle on that. If I do get the chance, I want to go one better and stack them up. We want to make the whole of New Zealand proud and get back to where we should be as such a proud rugby league country."
