It was his first win with the nib Newcastle Knights as captain and it couldn’t have happened in better style, grinding out a 34-20 result against the Canberra Raiders on Sunday afternoon.
“It was one of the most exciting last five minutes but also the longest,” Sione Mata’utia told Knights TV in the sheds after the match.
“I had belief we could get through.”
The 20-year-old had an impressive match, scoring a double.
“It was good to be get the tries we haven’t been getting in the last few weeks,” Mata’utia smiled.
“First one I just happened to put myself in good position and the other I just happened to be in the right spot.
“Credit to the boys, they dug deep and really came today with the winning attitude.”
An added bonus was that it was his first win as Knights captain.
“It is the first win as a captain and there are 17 other captains out there that get the win as well so it’s definitely exciting,” Mata’utia said.
Mata’utia says the team now has renewed confidence to take on the Penrith Panthers at home next Sunday.
“It is another home game which will be good and it would be good to get a win, hopefully a big crowd and I can’t wait,” he said.
