Sharks flyer Mulitalo on fire after ACL recovery
Margie McDonald |
Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo returns home next weekend, when the Sharks take on the Warriors in Auckland’s Go Media Stadium, and says he retains no hidden demons about the venue.
It was there that the 26-year-old ruptured his ACL playing on the wing for New Zealand in the round one win over Samoa in last October’s Pacific Championships.
He made a quicker-than-usual recovery from the debilitating knee injury, returning just seven months after surgery.
“I have to thank the medical staff here at the Sharks – they put a lot of work into me,” Mulitalo said.
And what a recovery it has been. He made his comeback for Cronulla at Magic Round in May scoring two tries in the 38-16 win over the Bulldogs.
He has now scored four tries in three games after his double in the 34-12 local derby win over St George Illawarra at the weekend.
“I’ve said it before that I just want to get after it, make the club proud,” Mulitalo said of his renaissance.
“If you’re scared about coming back then you shouldn’t be playing. That’s always been my mindset.”
It’s not just the tries – it’s the speed and work load he is producing.
Against the Dragons he made 20 runs for 202 metres, four line breaks, a line-break assist, a tackle bust and three offloads alongside his two tries.
“The hammies (hamstrings) will be a bit sore but the club was confident I wouldn’t lose too much around this ACL. I think sometimes the noise around ACLs is different for everybody,” he said.
“I guess I’m blessed with some lucky genes and I thank my mum and dad for that.”
He is looking forward to playing again in the city of his birth – Auckland – because he grew up idolising Shaun Johnson there.
But he’s also dreaming of a return to the Kiwis jersey in this year’s World Cup, to add to his nine Tests in the black-and-white and one for Samoa.
“Definitely. I’ve got so much love for New Zealand. They gave me a chance after all my Origin debacles so I’ve got no complaints there,” he said.
“I’ll put my hand up again for sure to represent them and hopefully bring another World Cup home. I won’t let them down.”
Mulitalo was picked as a replacement for Reece Walsh in the 2021 Queensland Origin team but had to withdraw when NSW protested that he arrived in Australia at age 14 and not the required age of 13. He thought his representative days might be over.
But he now has a fight on his hands as the Kiwis are flushed for quality outside backs with Keano Kini (Titans), Jamayne Isaako (Dolphinis), Matt Timoko (Raiders) and Casey McLean (Panthers) all playing in last year’s Pacific Championships – then there’s the expected arrival of Kalyn Ponga (Knights).
AAP