Graham Mattson
NZ RL coach and former NZ international rugby league footballer
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Graham Victor Mattson[2] (10 July 1941 – 25 May 2025) was a New Zealand rugby league footballer and coach who represented New Zealand during the 1960s, and later coached Tonga.[1]
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Graham Victor Mattson | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 10 July 1941 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 25 May 2025 (aged 83) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Loose forward, Hooker | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Coaching information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] As of 29 March 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing career
Mattson was a Point Chevalier Pirates player in the Auckland Rugby League competition and also represented Auckland. Between 1964 and 1965 Mattson played in two test matches for the New Zealand national rugby league team. Mattson worked as a Police Constable.[3]
Coaching career
Mattson began his coaching career in the 1970s with Point Chevalier before coaching the Mangere East Hawks, spending most of his time with the lower grades.[3]
In 1981 Mattson was the head coach of the new Papatoetoe Panthers club and was on their inaugural committee.[4][5][6]
In 1990 he was appointed the Auckland coach.[7]
Mattson later coached Tonga at the 1994 Pacific Cup.[8]
Death
Mattson died on 25 May 2025, aged 83.[9]