Monterey County native Matai Leuta living out a dream for USA Rugby team

PARIS – Words could not describe the emotion or adrenaline Seaside High graduate Matai Leuta felt when stepping onto the rugby field in Paris.

The silence of playing in an empty venue that riddled the pandemic-stricken Summer Olympics in Tokyo in 2021, was replaced by the piercing sound of a stadium filled with fanatics for the 2024 Games.

“The games in Japan did not have anyone in the crowd,” said Leuta from his Olympic Village room. “So being able to play in front of 80,000 fans at the Stade de France was an unforgettable experience.”

Leuta, a 2008 Seaside grad, has become an integral part of Team USA’s development in a sport dominated by Europeans.

While Team USA failed to win a game in Paris, it was competitive, taking another step forward in its journey to becoming a respected program and potential medal contender in 2028.

“My mindset coming into the Olympics was all about trying to find ways to add value to something that was already in a good place,” Leuta said. “Just seeing how I can add a little bit more insight.”

From an experienced point of view, Leuta was one of the elder statesmen on the roster at 34, having competed in the Olympics three years earlier.

The progress being made in rugby in the United States was evident in the women’s team earning a bronze medal.

“That was a massive achievement for the sport of rugby in the USA,” Leuta said. “The amount of support they have garnered from their tireless work will increase the sport’s continued growth.”

Leuta and Team USA fell 17-14 to Ireland in its opening game, before succumbing to Australia, which reached the medal round, finishing fourth.

“Definitely not how we wanted it to end, but that’s the brutality of the sport,” Leuta said. “Every team wants to win on the biggest stage in sports. But it’s no longer for a medal, rather for the pride of who you represent.”

The 6-foot-3, 234-pound Leuta plays the prop position, which puts him in the middle of scrums and lineouts, without much protective equipment.

“We do a lot of the dirty work,” Leuta said. “Our particular position requires a big body, strength, speed and physicality.”

Leuta compared his position to that of all-pro tight end George Kittle of the 49ers, where footwork, speed and strength are required.

“He (Kittle) pass blocks against some of the largest humans on the field,” Leuta said. “But he can also make incredible plays down field as a receiver and is hard to bring down. An all-around athlete is what I like to call it.”

The next step for the men’s program is growing the sport at an earlier age. Rugby is not a sport offered in most high schools and there are limited programs in college.

“Hopefully the support can help bring in the necessary resources this team will need to improve our ability to not only medal, which is what we expect, but to spread the word of the game,” Leuta said.

Leuta, who learned the game growing up in Fiji before moving to Marina, played football at Seaside as a menacing defensive end on its 2008 league title team in the old Monterey Bay League.

“The objective is to find those hidden, talented individuals, who may not like or succeed in football, basketball, softball, etc,” Leuta said. “We want them to know there’s a place for them in our sport.”

With a lot more freedom to roam the Olympic Village this year without the restrictions created from the pandemic in 2021, Leuta was able to converse and meet athletes from other sports.

Among the athletes that Leuta met was Olympic flag bearer Coco Gauff, Warriors’ guard Steph Curry and track and field gold medalist Noah Lyles and 400 low hurdles world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

Because rugby started the day after the games officially began, Leuta didn’t take part in the opening ceremonies, choosing to save his legs rather than standing on a boat on the Seine River for nine hours.

Yet, as athletes walked into the Olympic Village, the introductions continued as Leuta met gold medalist gymnast Simone Biles and arguably the best rugby player in the world in Mark Nawaqanitswase of Australia.

“I had the pleasure of meeting Simone Biles,” Leuta said. “Meeting Mark, who was the World Rugby Player of the Year, was a huge moment.”

Leuta, who still calls Marina home, was able to soak in the environment of the Olympics on the field and off, taking in a handful of events from other sports.

“I went and watched badminton, boxing and swimming,” Leuta said. “I’m still hoping to catch beach volleyball, to witness that incredible venue in front of the Eiffel Tower.”

Leuta still applies the message that he learned while playing football at Seaside under Al Avila. He still comes back when time permits to speak to the team.

“Playing for Coach Avila was a huge honor, learning what it means to be a Spartan,” Leuta said. “I have carried that with me throughout my career.”

While the idea of competing in the Summer Games in 2028 in Los Angeles has a distinct appeal for Leuta, reality is setting in on his career in the sport as a player.

“I love the idea,” Leuta said. “But I think this is where the journey with USA 7s ends for me. At 34, playing at this stage is already demanding. I wanted to give it one last shot. I will be excited to be a fan and watch this team grow toward L.A..”