Learn more about Leeds’ new towering prop forward Jeremiah Mata’utia as he tackles our 20 Questions.

1 How are you finding life in England since moving over here?

I’ve been a bit cold so I’m just trying to get used to the weather. But I’ve settled in well and I have a really nice apartment so it’s all good so far.

2 It’s just a one-year deal here initially, what are you hoping to achieve in that time?

My first goal is just to make the team and then to play consistently. I want to play the best footy I can do and hopefully become an 80-minute player. We’ve got great players in the team so I just want to contribute to being aggressive and enjoy my time here.

3 How was your first Christmas over here?

It was actually really different. Other than when I’ve been in New Zealand, it was the first time I’ve had a really cold Christmas. I usually eat a lot of food at Christmas, but because we had the Boxing Day game I had to hold back a little on that so that was different too. Me and my partner China (Polata) did Christmas at midnight, so we did the presents then, then later on we went over to Fran Goldthorp’s place and had Christmas with her family, so that was really nice. China and Fran are best mates from the Cowboys so it was easy for her having that connection here and then I’ve just tagged along whenever they’ve done stuff so it’s been pretty good.

4 What have you discovered so far is the best thing about Leeds?

I haven’t really had a chance to explore it yet, but I have noticed that it’s really close to everything that we’ve wanted to do. We were planning on going to York, and that was only a 45-minute drive, so we’ve done that and seen the Minster. Being here in Leeds is pretty cool, too, it’s a great city.

5 Former Leeds forward Adam Cuthbertson was your coach at Mackay Cutters – how much did you pick his brains about making the move and what to expect when you got here?

To be fair, I actually didn’t tell him. I only found out it was happening before the last game of the season so I didn’t really bring it up to anyone or ask him any questions. Adam pretty much found out I was moving here when I got announced, and then told me it’s a great club and he was really looking forward to seeing me play here.

6 Are you related to any of the other Mata’utias that play the game?

I get asked that question a lot, but no, we’re not related, I often have to clear that one up. I wouldn’t say it’s a common surname in Samoa, but a few of us have it.

7 Now that the Super League season is just around the corner, are there any fixtures you’re looking forward to more than any other?

Probably just the ones against the top teams. Hull KR won it last year, so I’d like to experience playing them, and St Helens too – they were probably one of the teams I actually knew about over here. And then Bradford Bulls as well, there is a lot of rivalry between the fans so I want to get stuck into that too.

8 The trip to Vegas is coming up. Is that somewhere you’ve ever been before and what are you looking forward to about that trip? 

Trips away can be a really good thing for us as a team to bond and get to know each other a bit more, so I guess I’m looking forward to experiencing that with the boys, as well as just exploring the place. It’s in a country I’ve never been to before so it’ll be pretty cool.

9 Being based in the UK will probably allow you to explore a bit of Europe while you’re here, is there anywhere in particular you’d like to visit?

I went to Dublin for a bit over New Year, so that was my first time travelling while I’ve been here and that was pretty cool. But I’d really like to go to Barcelona and Rome, and see those cities.

10 Who have you become closest to within the Rhinos squad?

I would say Keenan (Palasia) and Coops (Cooper Jenkins) have been a big part of me settling in. Keenan is always helping me out, giving me lifts in the morning and things like that. Coops does too to be fair, but when I first came over and I wasn’t getting paid until the end of the month Keenan helped out with some food and things like that, which was great. They were in a similar situation when they came over, so they know what it’s like for me.

11 Who was your rugby league icon growing up?

Ruben Wiki or Sam Burgess, just because of the way they ran the ball. They showed no fear on the field, held themselves to a high standard and played great, consistent footy.

12 Do you have any game-day superstitions?

I wouldn’t say it’s a superstition, but I always pray before a game. I have to, that’s one of the things I always do. But something else I’ve only just started doing is I have to have pasta the night before a game, but again that’s not really superstitious.

13 What is the one thing you could not live without?

Nowadays it has to be my phone, it has everything on it – emails, bank, social life – and it’s my way to keep in touch with home as well.

14 If you weren’t a rugby league player what would you be doing?

That’s quite hard because I’ve never really thought about it, but I guess I would be a PT (personal trainer) or just work in a gym – something like that.

15 Is there a star from another sport you admire?

Kobe Bryant, I know he’s passed away now, but he always wanted to be better and was always the first into training, getting in earlier than everyone else, and I really admire him.

16 If you could attend any sporting event in the world which would it be?

The Superbowl. It’s a huge sporting event and the atmosphere always looks fantastic. A lot of money goes into it and there is always lots of hype around it, so I’d definitely like to experience that.

17 What hobbies do you have outside of the game?

I like gaming and I’ve just started getting into anime, so pretty much that, although I do like walking sometimes and just generally hanging out with my partner.

18 If you could take part in any TV show or reality show, which would it be?

I wouldn’t mind doing ‘Survivor’ and just being out and having to survive in the wild. I don’t know how well I’d do, but I’d give it a go.

19 What is your fondest childhood memory?

When we used to have a sleep out at my auntie’s house. When we were younger, all of us kids would be there together and we’d spend our time playing stuck the mud or hide and seek. They were good memories.

20 Who will win the World Cup later this year?

I am a bit biased – I’m Samoan so I think it will be Samoa. They have a really good chance, and I do think they can do it. If I play well here and really push myself, I might be in with a chance of making the squad. Even if I don’t then play, just making the squad would be a big achievement.

First published in Rugby League World magazine, Issue 517 (February 2026)