nib Newcastle Knights centre Pete Mata’utia believes their triumphant win against the Gold Coast Titans last weekend wasn’t just about winning for the Club but for the red and blue supporters who have stuck by them.
“It was good to get the two points in front of a home crowd,” Mata’utia told Knights TV.
“To give back to the fans who have been waiting a long time for a win.”
Adding to the excitement, the 26-year-old charged over for a try in the 74th minute of the match.
“At the time, it was good to get a try, we needed it and I was lucky enough to be in the right spot at the right time,” explained Mata’utia.
“Trent (Hodkinson) passed me the ball and I just fell over the try line.
“The vibe I got from the boys and just to see the fans erupt and go off was crazy.”
The Knights centre maintains what they’ve been working on in training in the last couple of months has been working on the field.
Especially putting in the hard yards with their combinations.
“On the left edge or (Dane) Gagai on the right edge, everyone has been doing their part to try and get better as a team so hopefully we can do that again this weekend and get the two points,” added Mata’utia.
“Nathan Ross and I will get together and do some video on the right edge for this weekend and do everything we can to give ourselves a chance.
“You always want to improve, you can always get better.”
Mata’utia knows it is a big challenge this Saturday taking on the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
“It is a very tough game and everyone will need to be on song if we want to get these two points, they’re a good team and top four team for the past 10 years,” Mata’utia said.
“We have to concentrate on their forwards, they’ve a very big team, we need to control the footy and give ourselves every chance to win.”
Back-to-back home games is definitely a bonus.
“I love playing at home, there’s no better feeling than playing at home at McDonald Jones Stadium,” maintained Mata’utia.
“We had more than 12 thousand on the weekend but it felt like 30 thousand, so I can’t wait to get back out there on Saturday and play.
“I hope we do get a bigger crowd this weekend, Newcastle has always been a tough town and they’ll turn out to the stadium rain hail or shine.”
Be at McDonald Jones Stadium this Saturday, NYC kicks off at 12.15pm before Reserve Grade at 2.10pm and NRL at 4.30pm.
