New Zealand Legend- Motu Tony ex-Rugby Player/General Manager of high performance at the New Zealand rugby league - a podcast by Leon McQuade | Paul Longley

Motu was born in New Zealand; he is married with five children. He studied at De La Salle College, Auckland; then, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in The Open Polytechnic Of New Zealand. He also attended the University of Huddersfield, studying for a Master of Business Administration when he was over in the UK. 

He started playing rugby for Marist Saints in the Auckland Rugby League Competition. Before being signed for New Zealand Warriors. He has played professional rugby league for New Zealand Warriors, Brisbane Broncos, Castleford Tigers, Hull FC, Wakefield Wildcats, making 177 appearances, scoring 52 tries. The big one notably for Hull FC in the 2005 Challenge Cup Final against Leeds Rhinos. Motu also played for the New Zealand national team on numerous occasions. 

Once Motu finished playing, he became the General Manager at Hull FC, where he was a massive influence, not only on the pitch but off it too. Motu loved his time in Hull, saying, "I enjoyed playing for the club and working at the club—being in the city with the people, seeing how genuine they were. 

How much they cared for their rugby team. That sort of struck a chord with myself and my family straight away. That's why we stayed in Hull for so long." Another love apart from his family and rugby is reading. Motu says, " I love a good book. So reading is probably one of my favourite hobbies. I've got a bit of a career journey mapped out. 

When I finish sports administration, I'd love to be a food critic, and I'd like to get paid to read books, so you know those are my pipe dreams." One of the first books he recalls reading is 'The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley'. "It taught me just how you've got to stand up for what you believe! As a young boy, I got that from that book quite early." 

His second book was by an American entrepreneur named Russell Simmons. "He preached just to be yourself and be authentic and operate respectfully, never lose sight of who you are." Motu has carried this throughout his Rugby career. Now Motu is back in his native New Zealand as General Manager of high performance at the New Zealand rugby league. Very similar to the job that he held at Hull FC. To develop the next lot of senior Kiwis or Kiwi ferns (the female senior team in New Zealand). 

His role is to ensure that the young players who pick up a rugby ball can go to the top, whether it's professional or international. 

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