New Zealand front row Sam Matenga played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2024. He represented the Seattle Seawolves for his entire MLR career.

Matenga has represented the Tasman Mako in New Zealand’s NPC competition since 2019 and toured the US with the side in early 2020, facing the Houston SaberCats and, coincidentally, his future side the Seattle Seawolves. His signing was announced in December 2021 ahead of the 2022 MLR season, and his contract with the Seawolves runs through the 2024 season. To date, Matenga has scored 5 tries in his 42 MLR caps, including 36 starts, and he recorded over 100 tackles in the 2023 season alone.

On July 19th, 2023, Matenga was announced as part of the Tasman Mako squad for their 2023 NPC season. With his MLR contract running through 2024, he returned to the Seawolves for the following season, earning 13 appearances (12 starts) and scoring 1 try during the regular season. Matenga once again returned to the NPC’s Tasman Mako for their 2024 season, as announced on 13th July, 2024.

Achievements:

• MLR Runner-Up: 2024 (Seattle Seawolves)
• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 2
• MLR Runner-Up: 2022 (Seattle Seawolves)