The Newcastle Knights were in high spirits on Monday morning after the side’s third consecutive victory this season, a 20-18 win over the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday evening.
Knights forward Jack Stockwell caught up with two of his teammates after the squad’s recovery session at Currumbin on the Gold Coast.
While 18-year-old Sione Mata’utia admits the game was not one of his best, he praised the solidity of the team and resolve when faced with adversity during the 80 minute contest.
Mata’utia played off the bench, sharing the fullback role with versatile skipper Kurt Gidley.
“Personally it wasn’t my best game, but the boys kind of stuck in and a lot of will and determination is what got us over the line, ” Mata’utia admitted.
“It was a good one, but we sort of made it hard for ourselves.”
The young dynamo, who this week re-signed with the Club for an additional three years, commended the Knights’ pack for laying a solid platform.
“I think the forwards really stood up and from the players’ point of you with the Players’ Player, with the three two one points, most of them were forwards," Mata'utia added.
“I think that was a big part of us winning.”
The squad enjoyed a recovery session at Currumbin Alley before the team departed the Gold Coast on Monday afternoon.
“The body is not too bad, we had a beautiful swim here in Currumbin and it’s a nice sunny day which was good recovery, so hopefully the day of travel will help my body,” Mata'utia said.
The Knights now have their sights set on a fourth win when they take on the Penrith Panthers at Hunter Stadium.
“We sort of have to fix ourselves up again this week and do our best this coming weekend,” Mata'utia said.
“I’ll be looking at getting my numbers right and catching and communication, so another week at training hopefully I’ll be ready for Panthers.
“They are a good team off to a good start.”
Robbie Rochow believes the Knights' men up front will continue to improve when they return home for the Panthers clash.
“It wasn’t the greatest weather and it was a sloppy game, it was enjoyable come the 79th minute when we knew we had it in the bag,” Rochow said.
“There are things that we can work on defensively. That’s always a main point of focus for our edge and especially for me.
“I did my job and that’s what I want to keep doing every week.
“I think our forward pack can take a lot out of the start of our season.
“They executed great as a team and defended well in the middle.”
The 24-year-old second rower says he will continue to look to the team’s veteran forwards for guidance and leadership.
“As long as we can keep Beau (Scott) and Jezza (Jeremy Smith) on the field, us younger fellas will hopefully follow them as much as we can,” Rochow said.
Leading into round four, he touted the Panthers as a intimidating opponent, but assured Newcastle would take advantage of confidence built since the season’s start.
“I think this week is going to be pour toughest challenge this year," Rochow added.
“To have it at home on Saturday afternoon will be good for us and our fans and members.
“So we need to prepare well on a short turn around and be up for the game.”
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