'Owe a lot': Auckland returns brings Mulitalo's World Cup goal into focus

While he has been a regular performer for the Kiwis over the last few years, there is no guarantee Mulitalo will walk straight back into the Test side.

Coach Stacey Jones has cultivated a deep group of outside backs since the last World Cup and the arrival of Kalyn Ponga has added to the competition for spots.

Casey McLean, Jamayne Isaako, Matt Timoko, Keano Kini and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad are among the players who have impressed and played a key role in last year’s Pacific Championships success.

Mulitalo is embracing the challenge of playing his way back into a New Zealand jersey and is eager to use the second half of the NRL season to prove he deserves a spot in the Kiwis’ World Cup squad.

“It’s always a privilege to play for New Zealand,” Mulitalo said. “You always want to leave the jersey in a better state than you started with. I’m just going to keep playing good footy for the Sharks and keep getting results.

“At the end of the day, Cronulla pay for my livelihood, they looked after me during my surgeries and I owe them something before I think about the World Cup.

“I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself. I know the Kiwis will look after itself at the back end of the year and I’m just looking forward to racking up some wins with the group.”

A quick look around the league highlights just how hard it will be to break into the Kiwis team.

Ponga is in scintillating form and one of the game’s elite players, Isaako continues to score points for fun and McLean has taken another big step forward this year on the back of a State of Origin debut.

Will Warbrick is also back in form after an injury-interrupted 2025, while Kini produced a highlight-reel play to help the Titans stun Brisbane last weekend.

The Gold Coast fullback recognises how hard it will be to make the Kiwis squad but can tell the competition is already raising the standard around the league.

“I watch every NRL game and I keep up with all the Kiwis,” Kini said. “Our Kiwis boys have been strong this year and it’s going to be a tight team to make because there’s such good players across the board.

“You’ve got Kalyn Ponga coming in, Taine Tuaupiki is playing well and there’s many others as well. It’s going to be hard for me to make that team but it’s definitely a goal.”

While Mulitalo has one eye on the World Cup, his immediate focus is on Saturday’s clash with the Warriors.

The Sharks have found form in recent weeks, winning three in a row, while the Warriors suffered a tight loss to Penrith a fortnight ago before last week’s bye.

Cronulla are set to welcome back centre Jesse Ramien, however Origin duo Addin Fonua-Blake and Briton Nikora will miss the clash.

Mulitalo has embraced the chance to play in front of his friends and family and is eager to help the Sharks extend their winning streak.

“All my family is from New Zealand and I’ve got a lot of respect for the Warriors,” Mulitalo said. “Everyone grew up watching Shaun Johnson and even James Maloney when he had a stint there.

“Those are fond memories for me when I was a young’un there. My immediate family is living in Brisbane but my grandparents still live over there. They played a big part in who I am and where I’m from and anytime I can get back there, I like to see my family.”