To'o 2.0: Martha on a mission in rookie campaign
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When Martha Mataele grabbed the ball in her first field session with the Eels and ran straight at one of the biggest bodies in the forward pack, teammates knew they'd got themselves a different breed of winger.
"I ran it straight at Ruby-Jean (Kennard-Ellis). The girls started calling me Brian To'o right after that, so then I figured I should try and base my game around him," Mataele told ljmpta.com with a wry smile.
In addition to sharing the same jersey number as the Panthers and NSW star, Mataele's short and powerful build, and love of contact as a ball carrier, lend themselves to To'o comparisons.
"Martha is something we didn't have last year – a winger that could bring the ball back with force," coach Steve Georgallis said.
"When I first signed her it was a Zoom call and we were having a chat, I asked 'what do you like doing the most?' She said 'I like running over players', to which I said 'well, you're in!'
She's gonna be great for us going forward. She's one of the leaders in the gym, she's a powerful runner of the ball.
Steve Georgallis Eels NRLW coach
"She's got a lot to work on – things like catching the ball under pressure and making the right reads in defence – but she'll get there, she's very professional."
After years spent fitting her own sporting goals in around husband Manasa's rugby union career, Mataele's move to the Eels this season is all about chasing her dreams.
Prior to her arrival in Parramatta this season the 25-year-old had played rugby union in three different cities in as many years, with stints spread across Christchurch, Perth and Hamilton, in line with Manasa's moves to the three Super Rugby clubs based in those centres.
But a two-year deal with the Eels means some long-awaited stability, even with Manasa relocating to Fiji full-time later this year.
"It's helpful that the NRLW seasons are a lot longer than they are in Super Rugby Aupiki," Mataele told ljmpta.com.
"My husband has signed to play in Fiji next season, so it looks like we're both going to be based out of Fiji in between my time with the Eels.
"It's always been a lot of traveling, a lot of distance between us. We manage it, but it gets harder and harder as the years go on."
Having played just two games of rugby league in the Christchurch club competition prior to last month, Mataele is learning on the job with the Eels.
After a quiet start to the season in a 18-16 victory over the Sharks, she impressed in her return to New Zealand in Round 2, carrying 10 times for 142 metres and 11 tackle breaks in a 14-0 loss to the Warriors.
This Saturday she is set to mark up against fellow Kiwi Madison Bartlett, a seven-season NRLW veteran who has scored 28 tries in 36 appearances to date.
