Martha Mataele

Last updated

Martha Mataele
Born (1999-07-09) 9 July 1999 (age 26)
Height1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Flanker
Provincial / State sides
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2019–2023 Canterbury 30 (145)
Super Rugby
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2022–2024 Matatū 13 (20)
2023 Western Force 3 (20)
2025 Chiefs Manawa 3 (0)
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2023 New Zealand 2 (5)
Rugby league career
Playing information
Position wing, fullback
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2025– Parramatta Eels 1170028
Spouse
(m. 2021)
Relatives Atlanta Lolohea (sister)

Martha Mataele (née Lolohea; born 9 July 1999) is a New Zealand rugby union and rugby league player. She played for Chiefs Manawa in the Super Rugby Aupiki competition, represented Canterbury at Provincial level, and currently plays for Parramatta Eels in the NRLW.

Contents

Rugby career

Mataele is of Tongan descent, she was born in Auckland and was raised in Christchurch. [1] She first attended Villa Maria College before switching to Christchurch Girls’ High School in 2017. [1]

Mataele made her debut for Canterbury in 2021 and then debuted for Matatū a year later in Super Rugby Aupiki's inaugural season. [2] [3]

Mataele and her sister, Atlanta Lolohea, were part of Matatū's squad that won the 2023 Super Rugby Aupiki season. [2] She scored a try in her sides win against the Chiefs Manawa. [4] She played for the Western Force in the 2023 Super W season. [5] [6] In July 2023, she was awarded the Rebecca Clough Medal at the Western Force awards night. [7]

Mataele was named in the Black Ferns 30 player squad that will compete in their final O'Reilly Cup test in September and in the inaugural WXV1 tournament in October. [2] [8] She scored a try in her test debut on 30 September against the Wallaroos at Hamilton. [9] [10]

In 2025, she joined Chiefs Manawa's squad in Round 2 as an injury replacement. [11]

Parramatta Eels Women

On 6 December 2024 it was reported that she had signed for Parramatta Eels in the NRL Women's Premiership on a 2-year deal. [12]

Personal life

In August 2021, she married former Crusaders and Western Force winger, Manasa Mataele. [13] [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Julian, Adam (17 August 2022). "Mataele in electric form for Canterbury". Provincial Rugby. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 "Black Ferns Squad named for end of year Tests". allblacks.com. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  3. "Inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki squads announced". oceania.rugby. 4 November 2021. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  4. Pearson, Joseph (25 March 2023). "Matatū win Super Rugby Aupiki final after Chiefs Manawa miss two late kicks". Stuff. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  5. Mitchell, Brittany (22 March 2023). "Everything you need to know ahead of Super W 2023". ESPN.com. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  6. Pitts, Cameron (11 April 2023). "Billionaire's riches stir rugby's sleeping giant". wwos.nine.com.au. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  7. Williamson, Nathan (9 July 2023). "Spink, Mataele take top honours on Force Awards night". www.rugby.com.au. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  8. Voerman, Andrew (12 September 2023). "The Waikato Times". www.waikatotimes.co.nz. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  9. Knuckey, Brodyn (30 September 2023). "Black Ferns win big over Wallaroos despite stunted second half". 1 News. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  10. Pearson, Joseph (30 September 2023). "Black Ferns toil to another big victory against Australia in first home test since World Cup win". Stuff. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  11. "Manawa name five new faces for Blues clash". chiefs.co.nz. 6 March 2025. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  12. "Black Fern Mataele signs with the Eels". Parramatta Eels. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  13. "The Mataele's devotion to rugby, Perth, and each other". westernforce.rugby. 26 April 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.