Three of the four Mata’utia brothers will line up alongside each other for the nib Newcastle Knights clash with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Belmore this Sunday.
Named on the wing, it will be Chanel's first opporutnity to play NRL with both brothers Pete and Sione.
“Hopefully my brothers can put me in for a meat pie this weekend,” smiled the second eldest Mata’utia brother.
“I am yet to play with Pete (Mat’utia) in first grade so I'm looking forward to that.”
The 24-year-old burst onto the NRL scene in 2014 and has nine first grade matches under his belt, but has been unlucky with injuries over the past few seasons.
“It is tough, you turn up every week just to go through rehab and not play footy... but my family is the number one support so they’re a big drive for me turning up every morning,” Mata’utia commented.
Chanel is thankful for his chance to get back into the NRL side.
“I can’t wait,” he said.
“I am so thankful to get the opportunity again to play first grade this week.
“It has been really tough but I’ve had a lot of support on and off the field."
The Knights back is adamant he’ll be able to return to top form from two years ago.
“I am pretty confident,” Mata’utia admitted.
“Week in and week out, I’ll just take it as it goes.”
Chanel believes someday there’ll be a chance for all four Mata’utia brothers to line up in first-grade together as well.
“Obviously that's a goal,” Mata’utia smiled.
“We are just missing Pat (Mata’utia), but Pat is working his best to get back into the squad.
“We need to work hard to get the opportunity.”
The Knights take on the Bulldogs at Belmore Sports Ground this Sunday, kick-off is at 4pm.
