Steve Matai - tough or just stupid?

[juanfarkall]

Matai came from NZ and Hoppa was born in Campbletown..

Manly picked up Matai from their feeder club in Brisbane which back then was Wynnum Manly. Wynnum had signed him from Ipswich's Q Cup side. I do not recall whether he came from NZ direct to Ipswich or whether he had lived in Australia for a few years prior, but Manly did not pick him up directly from NZ.
From memory Manly signed him from Wynnum after watching him in a trial match he played on the undercard of a Manly trial at Kougari Oval.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Sorry i wasn't following the game in the 70's but are you saying it was full of dirty grubs like Matai and Gallen back then?

That sort of stuff was pretty common. Punches thrown in nearly every scrum, if a player was lying on the ground somewhere a boot into the back or head was not uncommon. Stiff arms and elbows to the jaw commonplace, such as the Sattler GF where he played with a smashed jaw

If you ever get a chance to see the Manly v Cronulla GF from 73, have a look at that game, the most voilent game in history, had all the filth in it

 

[kia ora storm]

Don't mind him. Put it this way if he played for your club you'd love him

Maybe ???...but you could easily turn on him with the penalties he concedes.

Imagine the scenario of being even with 1 min to play and Matai gives a penalty away that loses the game.

He is that type of player...brain snaps galore.

 

[FoghornLeghorn]

2 years ago he dragged Craig Wing over the sideline and threw him into an advertising board...then 10 minutes later dropped the ball like a cat when he looked up and realised Morley was about to smash him...which he still did...

He's a dirty cheap shot merchant...always costing Manly penalties...keep picking him Des...he helps your opposition more than his own team...

 

[Ryan]

2 years ago he dragged Craig Wing over the sideline and threw him into an advertising board...then 10 minutes later dropped the ball like a cat when he looked up and realised Morley was about to smash him...which he still did...

He's a dirty cheap shot merchant...always costing Manly penalties...keep picking him Des...he helps your opposition more than his own team...

Is that the game George Rose tore through your defense, side stepped your fullback, and made Ashley Harrison look like a cat on the way to their try line to score a long range try?

LoL - Yup - it was.

 

[Apey]

Is that the game George Rose tore through your defense, side stepped your fullback, and made Ashley Harrison look like a cat on the way to their try line to score a long range try?

LoL - Yup - it was.

What does that have to do with Matai?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEQp1LvJvpY