Ronaldo Mulitalo has joked with the English press about his famous Christian name ahead of New Zealand's Rugby League World Cup clash with Lebanon.
New Zealand winger Ronaldo Mulitalo is keeping his Christian name to himself in England ahead of the Rugby League World Cup, but by the end of the campaign it could be a different story.
Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo is a Manchester United legend and one of world soccer's best players of all-time.
And ahead of Sunday' World Cup clash against Lebanon, one journalist was quick to ask Mulitalo about his famous name as it relates to the Red Devils talisman.
"My mum loves him," Mulitalo grinned.
"I don't like telling people around here because they are looking at my like 'you are a fake Ronaldo' ... the bush version. So I don't really tell everyone my name around here."
The 22-year-old Cronulla Shark's ultimate aim is to make it to the Theatre of Dreams and step onto Cristiano Ronaldo's former playground in Manchester where the World Cup final is to be played in November.
"It would be a bit of a surreal moment. It would be nice," Mulitalo said.
"Before we even think about getting to Old Trafford we have a bit of work to do."
The Kiwis walloped Leeds Rhinos 50-0 in a warm-up game but Mulitalo was expecting the Cedars to be a tougher proposition.
"They are a talented squad with Mitchell Moses, Jacob Kiraz and Adam Doueihi from the NRL. I am pretty sure they are passionate about their home country, so come Sunday it is going to be passion versus passion," Mulitalo said.
"There is no secret we have got a really talented team and a lot of guys that are in form in the world's best competition, but that is only talent.
"There is so much work to be done. There is no point having all the talent and falling short. We have world class players that are going to make sure that we set a standard for ourselves, and raise the bar every time."
Mulitalo was caught up in a State of Origin eligibility fiasco last year when it was discovered at the 11th hour that he was not qualified to play for Queensland.
He withdrew from the game two side and was subsequently officially ruled ineligible to represent the Maroons in the Origin area.
"That was a tough period but I am just happy to get through it," he said.
"Now I am here in a Kiwi jersey and I get to represent so many people back home. I feel very, very privileged to be where I am with this group of boys."
