He also played for the New Zealand Warriors between 2011 and 2014, and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in 2015 and 2016 before moving back to England and finishing his top-level career with Salford.
While at college, Mateo played for the Dundas Shamrocks and Lalor Park Kookaburras before being signed by the Parramatta Eels.
Mateo played a season with the London Broncos in 2005, appearing in 14 games and scoring a try after joining the club mid-season.
[8] On 22 October 2006, Mateo made his début for Tonga in the 2006 World Cup Qualifiers against Samoa, playing at five-eighth in the 18–10 win at Headingley Stadium.
[10] In Round 2, against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Mateo made his return for the Parramatta Eels from the interchange bench in the 31–6 loss at ANZ Stadium.
[14] Mateo played in the Eels Round 1 match, which was a 28–20 comeback victory over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.
Mateo scored one try and a number of assists for the Tongan team and also a vital 40/20 kick in the dying stages of their round one clash against Ireland that lead to the match winning try by Etu Uaisele in the 22–20 victory at Parramatta Stadium.
In Round 10, against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Mateo suffered a shoulder injury in the 34–10 loss at Brookvale Oval which sidelined him for most of the year.
[28] In Round 11, against the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Mateo played his 100th NRL match in the Warriors 12–6 win at Mt Smart Stadium.
In April, Mateo was dropped to New South Wales Cup for 2 matches by newly appointed head coach Andrew McFadden for poor form in the opening rounds of the season.
On 28 October 2014, Mateo was granted a release from the Warriors to sign with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles for the 2015 and 2016 NRL seasons.
[48][49] In Round 3, against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Mateo scored his first club try for the Sea Eagles in the 16–12 loss at Brookvale Oval.
[51][52] In Round 24, against his former club the Parramatta Eels, Mateo played his 200th NRL match in the Sea Eagles 20–16 loss at Brookvale Oval.
[53][54] Mateo finished his first year with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles with him playing in 19 matches, scoring 2 tries and kicking 5 goals in the 2015 NRL season.
[61] Mateo is eligible to represent England through his English mother, while also playing for London Broncos he obtained a British passport.