King, queen or Kangaroos?

HE has only played 11 first grade games but already fans are wondering which country Parramatta back rower Feleti Mateo will one day represent.

And yesterday the Australia Test coach weighed in - urging the Parramatta rookie not to turn his back on Australia.

The 23-year-old has become the latest rookie to set the NRL alight.

But after learning that Mateo wants to play for Tonga and also qualifies to play for Great Britain, Ricky Stuart yesterday called on the rising star to pledge his allegiance to Australia.

"He was born in western Sydney, is a Parramatta junior and has the potential to represent," Stuart said.

"I would like to think he would want to play for his country.

"He should make a decision now, whatever that may be."

Fresh from signing a new three-year deal with the Eels, Mateo yesterday revealed he could play for the British Lions, Tonga or Australia.

"My father is Tongan and my mother is English," Mateo said. "I hold a UK passport and could play for them.

"I couldn't rule out playing for them but they haven't approached me about my availability yet.
"I have recently played for Tonga so I have some options there."

The Lalor Park junior is keen to continue playing under Jim Dymock for Tonga at next year's World Cup, but admits his dream was to one day play for Australia.

Dymock, a former Bulldogs and Eels star, is Test coach Stuart's assistant at the Sharks.

"I guess my dream is to play for Australia but I couldn't rule out playing for Great Britain," Mateo said.

"It would be a dream to play for New South Wales and Australia but maybe England might approach me first."

Respected South Sydney recruitment manager Mark Hughes last night said Mateo was the closest player in the NRL to Bulldogs star Sonny Bill Williams.

And Hughes should know - he was the man who brought Williams to the Bulldogs.

"He has really burst on to the scene," Hughes said.

"Along with Krisian Inu, they are the two young players making their mark at the moment."

But just two years ago the 104kg back rower was shunted to the English Super League after making his NRL debut as a 19-year-old.

Mateo said Brain Smith didn't consider him good enough to play first grade, so he was sent to the other side of the world to learn his trade.

He spent five months playing for the London Broncos.

"I'm not sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing," Mateo said.

"I played one game of first grade and then went to the London Broncos.

"It was the first time I had moved out of home and was a real experience for me.

"It was part of the process Brian Smith saw for me to mature."

On his return, Mateo went back to the Premier League, becoming Eels reserve grade player of the year.

His chance came with the arrival of new Parramatta coach Michael Hagan.

"I am in a good place at the moment and have good people around me. I was just happy to get the opportunity to play first grade," Mateo said.

"It was a shock the other clubs were looking at me so much, but I am a local junior and I was happy to stay here."