Matt Rua

Matt Rua

Personal information
Full name	Matthew James Rua
Born	(1977-07-20)20 July 1977 Auckland,New Zealand
Playing information
Height	187 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	105 kg (16 st 7 lb; 231 lb)
Position	Second-row
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1998–2002 Melbourne Storm 100 14 0 0 56 2007 Melbourne Storm 1 0 0 0 0 Total 101 14 0 0 56 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1999–01 New Zealand 11 2 0 0 8
Source:

Matthew Rua(born 20 July 1977) is a New Zealand former professionalrugby leaguefootballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s. A New Zealand international representative forward, he played in theNational Rugby Leaguefor theMelbourne Storm,winning the1999 NRL Premiershipwith them.

He attended High School atKelston Boys High SchoolandWaitākere College.

Playing career

Rua was aManly-Warringah Sea Eaglesjunior in 1996 and played for theJunior Kiwis.Rua signed for theMelbourne Stormin 1998 and played for theNorths Devilsin theQueensland Cup.In 1999 he was named the Melbourne club's rookie of the year,playing from the interchange bench in the Storm's1999 NRL Grand Finalvictory. Rua was selected for theNew Zealand teamto compete in the end of season1999 Rugby League Tri-Nationstournament. In the final againstAustraliahe played at second-row forward in the Kiwis' 22–20 loss.

Having won the 1999 Premiership, theMelbourne Stormtraveled to England to contest the2000 World Club ChallengeagainstSuper LeagueChampionsSt Helens R.F.C.,with Rua playing at lock forward in the victory. Rua representedNew Zealandeleven times between 1999 and 2001, including the2000 World Cup.Rua had played 100 games for the club before being released at the end of the2002 NRL season.He signed with theCanberra Raidersfor the 2003 season, but walked out of his contract before the season started for personal reasons. In 2006 he played for theWaitakere Rangersin theBartercard Cupbefore being signed by theCentral Cometsin theQueensland Cup.This was enough to get him signed by the Melbourne Storm in 2007. However he only played one first grade game that season, his first since 2002, in Melbourne's round 13 win over theNew Zealand WarriorsatMount Smart Stadiumin Auckland. He retired at the end of the year.

Rua is ofCook Islandsheritage and has been involved with theCook Islandsnational team as a coach.