RONALDO MULITALO | Kiwis winger looks ahead to World Cup match against Cook Islands in Christchurch

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

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Izzy (0:15)

Yeah, it's happening right now, it's so much.

Scotty (0:17)

Is he right there? The one and only, Ronaldo Mulitalo joins us on the line, Kjolder.

Izzy (0:22)

Kjolder Rod!

Ronaldo Mulitalo (0:23)

What's up, brother?

Ronaldo Mulitalo (0:24)

How are you going? How are you going?

Scotty (0:25)

What's going on, brother? What's happening?

Ronaldo Mulitalo (0:29)

No, not much. Obviously, just got into Christchurch.

Ronaldo Mulitalo (0:32)

It's actually beautiful here, but yeah.

Ronaldo Mulitalo (0:34)

Basically, just getting ourselves ready. A bit of training this morning, but yeah, all is good.

Scotty (0:39)

It's a big old fixture, mate. A chance to play in Christchurch under the roof, a spectacular venue. And I'm sure there's been some work through the week too with the Kiwis boys. Like, what's the mood been like in camp?

Ronaldo Mulitalo (0:52)

Yeah, obviously, disappointed with how the Australia game went, but we've got to move on fast and looking forward to the next contest. Obviously, Christchurch has been beautiful. I've watched it from afar, the stadium, the new stadium. So I'm really looking forward to getting into there.

Izzy (1:07)

Ron, Izzy here, mate. Appreciate you jumping on. Just on the last Thursday's game, man, it was a hell of a game. Well, I loved every minute of it. What was it like playing in a game like that? Can I ask you, what was it like playing with a player like Caleb Ponga?

Ronaldo Mulitalo (1:23)

What's up, Izzy, man? I'm a big fan of you. I watched you as a kid. So it's a bit surreal talking to you.

Izzy (1:27)

Thank you, brother.

Ronaldo Mulitalo (1:28)

Yeah, no, obviously, KP is massive for us. Obviously, for him to come back to us. And we've got a world-class player like that. He's in his form. He's still really good for the Knights in the back end of the year. And just to be a part of that. And we learn so much from him in a week. And he's played in that arena so far. So the origin obviously helps that with him. And yeah, no, he's a great player.

And yeah, no, it's disappointing that we'll lose him for a couple of weeks. But hopefully we get him in the back end of the tournament when it counts.

Scotty (1:57)

Ronnie, I was just reading a story actually on nrl.com, and you were talking about some words that Ciaran Foren mentioned to you. And the headline is How Foz Lit a Fire in Ronaldo. Can you tell us about that story and what Ciaran Foren did say to you back in 2023?

Ronaldo Mulitalo (2:18)

Oh yeah, he's man like just Foz in general. It's a bit weird that we played with him last year, and then he's a coach at the moment. But yeah, he's just been massive for us young guys. I remember we had lost to Australia down in Melbourne, and we got back to Eden Park. We had a captain's round session. He just took over and just demanded the respect. And I think the mana for the jersey, obviously first drives it a lot, but to hear from a guy like Foz, he doesn't really say much. I think, yeah, just when we speak about moments and big games and what it means, he told us he was gonna go out there and just give his all.

Everyone knows what Foz's games are. I just played around it and I've never seen someone of that age go out and empty the tank like that and came off the field with nothing left in the tank. So yeah, I just think someone like Foz who's been before us, you never want to disrespect them. And we went out and beat the Aussies by 30-0 that day. And yeah, I just think he's played a massive part in us growing up as young guys through the Kiwi system. And we owe a lot to him.

Izzy (3:32)

Well spoken, well spoken. We're talking to Ronaldo Mulitalo from the Kiwis, an electric winger. And Ronaldo, just in regards to that game, man, there were so many good moments and moments where you and the group could have executed and got on top of the Australians. What does Stacey Jones and the coaching group focus on, like to win those moments? Those moments where Australia cheeky, got those intercepts and obviously went down the other end.

Ronaldo Mulitalo (3:59)

I think our force did an awesome job. I think our babies and Spine probably laid ourselves down there with execution stuff. But we'll be better for it. You know, I think we'll come out one in the first round. So we're really looking forward to the next contest. And hopefully we do get the chance to have another shot at them and think we haven't lost any confidence. You know, the confidence is always there for us. And I think, yes, just little things about execution. We'll have a little look at it again this morning.