When Peter Mata’utia arrived at the Newcastle Knights at the end of April he was determined to hit the ground running as part of his new Club.
So he was understandably devastated to suffer a knee injury at the start of his first game in Round 8 at Hunter Stadium.
Mata’utia spoke to Knights TV about the injury that will keep him on the sideline until approximately Round 15.
“I think it was my second run and my leg got caught under Jamie Lyon and I felt something pop,” he reflected about the game.
In the following tackle another blow to his lower body meant he was forced to leave the field.
“I tried to keep playing with it when I first did it and it ended up making it worse,” he said.
At the time he says his main concern was letting down his new teammates.
“It was just more that I was new to the team and I wanted to earn respect from the boys,” he said.
“I’ve come in half way through the season and I wanted to stay in that team and help the boys out.
"That was the main thing, the injury wasn’t too much of a concern.
“I had done everything right before I got this injury. It was more about earning the respect from the boys and not letting them down.”
Thankfully his recovery since then has been on track.
“At the moment I’m trying to let the ligament heal back so I’m just working on the upper body at the moment,” the eldest of the Club’s four Mata’utia brothers said.
“I should get the brace off in another week or so, so I’m looking forward to that."
Mata’utia believes the setback has made made him more eager and passionate than ever to get back on the field with the Knights.
“I want to get back on the field and let them get a feel of what type of player I am and what I can bring to the team,” he said.
“I want to get back on the field and help the boys out.
“I want to just get out there and have fun and enjoy being back in that blue and red jersey.”
