Stefano Utoikamanu

Stefano Utoikamanu (born 15 May 2000) is a professional rugby league footballer who plays as a prop for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Stefano Utoikamanu
Personal information
Born (2000-05-15) 15 May 2000
Auckland, New Zealand
Height191 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight115 kg (18 st 2 lb)
Playing information
PositionProp
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2020 Parramatta Eels 3 0 0 0 0
2021– Wests Tigers 51 8 0 0 32
Total 54 8 0 0 32
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2023 New South Wales 1 0 0 0 0
2023 Samoa 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]
As of 26 August 2023

Background

Utoikamanu played his junior rugby league for the Cabramatta Two Blues. Utoikamanu played for Parramatta's under 20's team in 2018 and 2019, moving into ISP competition for Wentworthville. Utoikamanu also represented NSW under 18's and 20's teams in back to back years.

Playing career

2020

On 29 January 2020, Utoikamanu signed a three-year deal with the Wests Tigers from 2021 worth $800,000 which was significantly higher than Parramatta's offer of $70,000 a season.[2]

Utoikamanu made his first grade debut in round 9 of the 2020 NRL season for Parramatta against the Newcastle Knights. He came off the bench in the final ten seconds of the game and made one hit-up as Parramatta won the match 10-4. Following the game, Utoikamanu was spotted hugging and interacting with fans which was strictly against player protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic.[3][4]

2021

He made his club debut for the Wests Tigers in round 1 of the 2021 NRL season against Canberra which ended in a 12-30 defeat. He scored his first try in the NRL during round 3 of the competition as the club defeated Newcastle 24-20. On 5 July, he was called into the New South Wales squad for game 3 of the 2021 State of Origin series. He was named on the extended bench but did not feature in the match.[5]

He played a total of 22 games for the Wests Tigers in the 2021 NRL season as the club finished 13th and missed the finals.[6]

2022

On 31 January, he extended his existing contract that was until the end of 2023, for a further two seasons, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2025 season. On 29 March, it was announced that Utoikamanu would miss six to eight matches with an ankle injury which occurred during the club's loss to the New Zealand Warriors.[7] In round 9, he made his return to the side against Manly but was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul during the club's 36-22 loss at Brookvale Oval.[8] Utoikamanu played a total of nine games for the Wests Tigers club in the 2022 NRL season as they finished bottom of the table and claimed the Wooden Spoon for the first time.[9]

2023

On 22 May, Utoikamanu was selected by New South Wales as part of their extended squad ahead of game one in the 2023 State of Origin series.[10] On 12 June, Utoikamanu was named on the interchange bench for New South Wales in game two of the 2023 State of Origin series.[11] Utoikamanu played a total of 21 games for the Wests Tigers in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished with the Wooden Spoon for a second straight year.[12]

References
  1. Rugby League Project
  2. "Tug-of-war over teen giant intensifies after Eels reject Tigers release request". www.nrl.com. 29 November 2019.
  3. "Round 9 NRL team lists". NRL.com. 7 July 2020.
  4. "Eels rookie in hot water over potential breach". www.foxsports.com.au. 12 July 2020.
  5. Bruce, Jasper (5 July 2021). "NSW Blues announce two additions to squad for Origin III". News.com.au.
  6. Conrad, Alex (6 October 2021). "Wests Tigers fans savage the club's new-look logo". News.com.au.
  7. "Double Dogs blow as star enforcer out for the season; Bronco set for sideline stint: NRL Casualty Ward". www.foxsports.com.au.
  8. "North Queensland defeats Newcastle 36-16 for fourth straight NRL win as Sydney Roosters and Manly post victories". www.abc.net.au.
  9. "Canberra Raiders hand out 56-10 NRL drubbing to Wests Tigers as Cronulla beats Newcastle Knights 38-16". www.abc.net.au.
  10. "Graham ruled out for Blues, trio to debut as Fittler makes 'gamble'". www.nrl.com.
  11. "NSW Blues name State of Origin side for game two, with Mitchell Moses and Damien Cook in for Nathan Cleary and Api Koroisau". www.abc.net.au.
  12. "'Circus act' that summed up year from hell... and big call left for Benji: Wests Tigers Brutal Review". www.foxsports.com.au.
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