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If the weekend’s trial match against the Canberra Raiders is anything to go by, Akuila Uate is set for an exciting 2015 season.

After recovering from a knee injury that ended his season in Round 22 last year, the flashy winger scored a hat-trick in his first hit out of the year in Queanbeyan. 

Even though the trial was considered a practice run for Uate, the game has injected added confidence before the Knights' official season start at Hunter Stadium against the New Zealand Warriors next Saturday.

“It was a good hit out as the last trial before next week,” Uate said. 

“I played 80 minutes on the weekend which is what I needed. 

“It was a good hit out and I actually couldn’t believe that I played 80 minutes, but I felt good afterwards."

Uate attributed his tries to the team’s focus on completing sets as well as support from playmaker, Jarrod Mullen.

“It was good to get a couple of tries and I turned that into a hat-trick,” he said. 

The thrilling partnership between Uate and Dane Gagai is something else to look forward in 2015. 

“I thought our combination is back to where we started when he first came…hopefully that continues next week,” he added.

“Dane has had a good off-season and has been training really well.

“Him coming back from the All Stars and playing in the trial was really helpful for the team."

Although happy with the team cohesion in the trial match, Uate said the week flowing into Round 1 on Saturday March 7 will see an emphasis on ironing out errors. 

“The team was good and we got a win at the end of the day,” he said. 

“We will do video during the week to improve on errors. 

“Win or lose, it’s just a trial, but it let us feel fit and ready for next week.

“I think this week is all about training hard before a weekend off. 

“Come next week we’ll go head on and focus on the Warriors game. 

“I think everyone is looking forward to next week but we’ll see what (Rick) Stoney’s team is next week is.”

The count down is on for the start of the 2015 season! The best way to support the Knights is to be UKNIGHTED as a Member. Get decked out in red and blue and be at the game when the Knights face the New Zealand Warriors for Round 1 on March 7.