31 Facts About Reni Maitua

Reni Maitua was born on 11 June 1982 and is a former professional rugby league footballer.

Reni Maitua started playing rugby league as a youngster from the encouragement of his parents, playing for both the Coogee Randwick Wombats, and Kensington United as well as brief stints at La Perouse United, and the Maroubra Lions.

Reni Maitua then played for South Sydney Juniors which form part of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Reni Maitua is the son of a Samoan father and an Australian mother of Anglo-Celtic descent.

Reni Maitua played for Canterbury-Bankstown from the interchange bench in their 2004 NRL grand final victory over cross-town rivals, the Sydney Roosters.

In season 2005, Reni Maitua had an up and down season, suffering an ankle injury in the trial game against South Sydney Rabbitohs missing up to six games.

Reni Maitua's return showed he was in good form and was then named in the City Origin squad.

Reni Maitua had been selected in the Prime Minister's XIII team to take on Papua New Guinea national rugby league team.

On 27 April 2006, it was revealed that Reni Maitua had been charged with drink driving.

Reni Maitua was required to attend an alcohol awareness program and to participate in a community service program.

Reni Maitua had been named in the Australian Rugby League team for the Tri Nations series for the first time in his career after a knee injury ruled Brisbane forward Tonie Carroll out of the upcoming Tri-Nations tournament.

In March 2008, Reni Maitua was demoted to reserve grade after he was spotted in a drunken state at a T2 nightclub on Oxford Street, Sydney at 9.30am on a Sunday morning.

On 15 June 2009, Reni Maitua was suspended for 2 years for testing positive to a banned substance.

Reni Maitua signed with the Parramatta Eels on return from suspension for the 2011 NRL season.

Reni Maitua signed with Parramatta in 2011 but was unable to play until his ban ended in May Due to his good form, inspirational leadership and a new outlook on life, he was made co-captain of the Parramatta club alongside Jarryd Hayne and Tim Mannah in 2013.

In June 2013, Reni Maitua was one of 12 Parramatta players that were told that their futures at the club were uncertain by coach, Ricky Stuart.

In October 2013, Reni Maitua was a part of the Samoan team that participated in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.

Reni Maitua made his debut in the Samoans' impressive display against the Kiwis.

In November 2013, Reni Maitua was charged assault after allegedly punching a taxi driver's arm, he later wrote an apology on Twitter and pleaded not guilty.

Reni Maitua was selected to play for Samoa in the 3 May 2014 Pacific Rugby League International against Fiji, this was Reni Maitua's second international appearance following his single test for Australia in 2006.

Reni Maitua finished Canterbury's 2014 season with him playing 13 matches and scoring 1 try.

On 7 October 2014, Reni Maitua was selected in the Samoan 24-man squad for the 2014 Four Nations series.

Reni Maitua only played 1 of the 4 games, Samoa did not select him until the 4th and final game because of Reni Maitua's involvement in a nightclub brawl in Brisbane alongside two other Samoan players, one day before kicking off the Four Nations series.

On 19 December 2014, Reni Maitua signed a two-year contract with the Featherstone Rovers in the Championship starting from 2015.

Reni Maitua began the season with Featherstone, moving to Salford Red Devils during Rugby League Super 8s.

Reni Maitua came out of retirement to join Toronto Wolfpack in 2018 on a short-term contract.

In 2006, Reni Maitua was convicted of drink driving after he blew 0.165 in a random breath test in Cronulla, while on P-plates.

On 20 May 2009, Reni Maitua tested positive to a banned drug and was handed a provisional suspension.

On 15 June 2009, it was announced that Reni Maitua would be suspended for 2 years following the positive test of the second sample.

In late 2013, it was revealed that Reni Maitua had been suffering from severe depression.

In mid 2013, Reni Maitua suffered a breakdown after a game in Brisbane, and days later attempted suicide.