INTERVIEW: Ronaldo Mulitalo

Charlie (0:00)

Let's go.

SPEAKER_2 (0:01)

The Flava Breakfast Podcast.

Azura (0:03)

All right, Flava whanau, joining us live and direct, we had to wake this guy up early.

You understand he's in Brisbane. He is a star, getting ready to kick some Aussie's bums, man. We're talking to none other than Ronaldo Mulitalo. Good morning, also.

Ronaldo Mulitalo (0:18)

What's going on, team? Appreciate you having me on.

Charlie (0:21)

How are you feeling?

Ronaldo Mulitalo (0:23)

Nah, good, it's a good week. About to get into training, so pumped to get out there and just itching to get out in St Corp Stadium and put the jersey on with the brothers, but I'm looking forward to it.

Azura (0:35)

Do you still get nervous leading up to big games like this, Ous?

Ronaldo Mulitalo (0:38)

No, I was just talking to Mosse. Mosse's obviously played in five grand finals or something like that, really prick. But, yeah, nah, kind of trying to keep the week as simple as possible and try to play the game not so occasionally, so hopefully the results get away. But nah, it's been pretty crazy week, a lot of nervous but just, yeah, kind of relax out and then just come.

Charlie (1:04)

Well, I mean, you must know by now that it's now like Toko Uso Bro, because the Pacific has come together with one common goal now, and that is smash the Aussies. So, you know, are you starting to sort of feel that now that, you know, semis are done with it and we're moving to the finals, that, you know, you're getting the Mawhana and everything else from all the nations?

Ronaldo Mulitalo (1:28)

Nah, it's cool. It's cool seeing all the nations rally around, especially obviously, you know, Samoans, seeing all the Uso's get around us as well, getting a couple of messages from everyone.

Azura (1:38)

Yeah.

Ronaldo Mulitalo (1:39)

All the fans out there came after they came, and everyone's like, yep, you know what to do.

Azura (1:43)

We, I mean, to be fair, like the Tongans and Samoans, the big build up to this World Cup, only to catch the same flight home, and you know, it's the whole emoji of Homer Simpson going back into the, you know, into the bushes and coming out with a Kiwis jersey.

Charlie (1:58)

And not forget, they're coming back out with a Kiwis jersey and a New Zealand passport.

Ronaldo Mulitalo (2:02)

Anyway, I've seen a couple of, seen a couple like that. A couple of the family members have been doing those ones. Ticket requests have been coming out as well.

SPEAKER_2 (2:11)

Oh, man. Like, speaking of...

Azura (2:14)

Exactly, bro. Speaking of ticket requests, I know you got heaps of family over there watching, you know, roughly how many tickets do you give away to family?

Ronaldo Mulitalo (2:23)

Oh, man, if I haven't seen you in the last five months, I think you're gonna... Oh, that's the rule.

Azura (2:28)

So that's the rule, eh?

Ronaldo Mulitalo (2:30)

Yeah, you gotta limit it, because I think about 40 family members... Oh, yeah.

Azura (2:36)

Their neighbours, their drivers.

SPEAKER_2 (2:39)

Oh, man.

Azura (2:42)

Bro, this is ridiculous.

Charlie (2:45)

I mean, it is a sold-out game as well, so these are hot property tickets, so I don't...

Ronaldo Mulitalo (2:49)

Nah, Charlie, the fans are, yeah, star Richard K. Cushing, you know, and everyone's head's right in place. But yeah, nah, it's good. It's obviously nice for the family to be there, but yeah, it'll be cool.

Charlie (3:01)

Five-month rule?

Ronaldo Mulitalo (3:01)

Five-month rule?

Charlie (3:02)

Nah, we like that, we like that. Hey, you know, how are the boys feeling, you know, ahead of this weekend's game? And what is your game plan? You know, where are your heads at?

Ronaldo Mulitalo (3:13)

Yeah, now obviously we've got the whole nation on our back at the moment and all the Pacifica nations. While we understand the responsibility that comes of, you know, we're in the jersey and what it means for so many people back home. And obviously the rugby union World Cup hasn't been home for a while, and the NRL one hasn't too, so all of the rugby league ones. So it will be nice to, you know, all the staff that have worked so hard over the years to put us in this position, and all the players that came before us will be a good way to honor them.

And a good reward for our country and our small nation. So looking forward to that contest day, and hopefully we can do everyone proud.

Azura (3:48)

Oh man, you're already making us proud also, bro. Hey, well, we're not gonna hold you any longer, man. We'll let you go get ready for training, and bring home that cup, baby.