The meaning and stories behind the ink on some of our Knights.
Mitch Barnett
Barnstorming second rower on the field, quiet family man off it.
That’s the story told through the artwork inked onto Mitch Barnett’s right arm.
“The one that’s close to me is my family one,” Barnett explains.
“I got it a few years back now…because family means everything to me.
“My Mum, Dad, sisters and my wife, they’re people I’d do anything for.”
The more menacing side of Barnett, the one his team mates love and opponents fear, is far more apparent in some of his other tats.
“I’ve got a wing, which is a new edition, and a skull on the back which don’t really have any meaning.
“I’m just going to connect it all into a sleeve.”
Kalyn Ponga
You might think you know him for his blistering speed or ankle breaking foot-work, however you only need to look at Kalyn Ponga’s left shoulder to find there’s more to the 21-year-old livewire than just football.
The Ta Moko tattoo, proudly emblazoned across his left shoulder, arm and chest, is a point of great pride for the No. 1.
“I got it when I was 18…it was a very proud moment for me,” Ponga said.
“It represents my family, where I’m from, my heritage.
“All stuff I’m very proud of, and although I don’t know a lot about it, it’s something that I’d like to learn more about.”
Even more interesting than the tattoo itself is the story behind how it came to be on his shoulder.
“My family did it,” he explained.
“It was a very long six hours, but it was the sort of pain you kind of get addicted to.”
Sione Mata'utia
A shooting star turned flower?
Probably not the first image that comes to mind when you think of Sione Mata’utia.
However, it’s an image which has been a part of Mata’utia for nearly eight years.
“It’s a tattoo I got done in Samoa, probably in 2012,” he explained.
“It’s just a few traditional patterns, through to what was meant to be a shooting star, which turned to a flower for some reason.”
Mata’utia also pointed to the letters on his wrist as being meaningful to himself.
“Me and my mates back in the day decided to get it,” he said.
“It’s all my close mates, just their initials.”
Tough as nails out on the field, Mata’utia admitted he isn’t as battle hardened when it comes to the needle.
“Every one of my tattoos hurt,” he laughed.
“Anyone who says any different is a liar.”
