Versatile Mata'utia content to wait
By DRAGONS MITCH JENNINGS
March 11, 2015, 9:38 p.m.
Talented: Peter Mata'utia, the eldest of three league playing brothers, is pictured during Dragons' training at WIN Stadium ahead of Monday's match against the Tigers at Campbelltown. Mata'utia will be watching his team play unless Dugan is deemed unfit.Picture: ADAM McLEAN
HE'S yet to receive a tap on the shoulder this week but Dragons utility back Peter Mata'utia is ready to step up should Josh Dugan not recover from an ankle injury in time for Monday's round two clash with the Tigers at Campbelltown.
There were initial fears that Dugan could be sidelined for up to three months with an ankle injury sustained in the Dragons round one loss to Melbourne before scans on Tuesday cleared him of serious injury.
Dugan was named to face the Tigers on Tuesday and is expected to play but his injury has put the spotlight on the club's decision to release Adam Quinlan and Gerard Beale prior to season kick-off.
Quinlan played 15 games at No 1 for the Dragons last year as Dugan made a successful switch to the centres at club and Origin level.
He was replaced by Beale for the final four rounds of the season but the departure of both players leaves Mata'utia as the NSW Origin star's lone understudy.
Coach Paul McGregor has shown plenty of faith in the eldest of the talented Mata'utia's clan in the past and even considered leaving Dugan at right centre this year to fit the 24-year-old into the Dragons line up to start the season.
He was also firmly in the frame for a round one start in the centres - where he finished the 2014 season - before McGregor opted for specialists Dane Nielsen and Dylan Farrell.
Mata'utia has been no stranger to the NSW Cup since making his NRL debut for the Knights as a precocious 18-year-old in 2011 and, while disappointed to miss round one, he said he's happy to bide his time.
"Duges has been named and as far as I know he's been cleared by our medical staff so I think he'll play this week," Mata'utia said.
"I'm always team first. I've been in this position ever since my debut.
"At Newcastle I was behind a lot of great backs so it's nothing new to me. I come into every preseason training hard for a spot whether I get it or not. The team was picked last week and I was in [NSW] Cup so you've just got to go with the blows.
"It's a long season and we've got a lot of great players so whoever gets a spot will do a good job.
"Once I get my chance I'll be taking it with both hands."
With the ability to play fullback, wing and centre on either side of the field Mata'utia is the most versatile player at the club. Asked if his utility value had consigned him to a backup Mr Fixit role during his career Mata'utia said: "It could have. It can be good for you and it can be bad as well...but I'm happy where I'm at at the moment and I'm just looking forward to watching the boys play this week and hopefully getting the two points."
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2939187/versatile-matautia-content-to-wait/?cs=2382
By DRAGONS MITCH JENNINGS
March 11, 2015, 9:38 p.m.
Talented: Peter Mata'utia, the eldest of three league playing brothers, is pictured during Dragons' training at WIN Stadium ahead of Monday's match against the Tigers at Campbelltown. Mata'utia will be watching his team play unless Dugan is deemed unfit.Picture: ADAM McLEAN
HE'S yet to receive a tap on the shoulder this week but Dragons utility back Peter Mata'utia is ready to step up should Josh Dugan not recover from an ankle injury in time for Monday's round two clash with the Tigers at Campbelltown.
There were initial fears that Dugan could be sidelined for up to three months with an ankle injury sustained in the Dragons round one loss to Melbourne before scans on Tuesday cleared him of serious injury.
Dugan was named to face the Tigers on Tuesday and is expected to play but his injury has put the spotlight on the club's decision to release Adam Quinlan and Gerard Beale prior to season kick-off.
Quinlan played 15 games at No 1 for the Dragons last year as Dugan made a successful switch to the centres at club and Origin level.
He was replaced by Beale for the final four rounds of the season but the departure of both players leaves Mata'utia as the NSW Origin star's lone understudy.
Coach Paul McGregor has shown plenty of faith in the eldest of the talented Mata'utia's clan in the past and even considered leaving Dugan at right centre this year to fit the 24-year-old into the Dragons line up to start the season.
He was also firmly in the frame for a round one start in the centres - where he finished the 2014 season - before McGregor opted for specialists Dane Nielsen and Dylan Farrell.
Mata'utia has been no stranger to the NSW Cup since making his NRL debut for the Knights as a precocious 18-year-old in 2011 and, while disappointed to miss round one, he said he's happy to bide his time.
"Duges has been named and as far as I know he's been cleared by our medical staff so I think he'll play this week," Mata'utia said.
"I'm always team first. I've been in this position ever since my debut.
"At Newcastle I was behind a lot of great backs so it's nothing new to me. I come into every preseason training hard for a spot whether I get it or not. The team was picked last week and I was in [NSW] Cup so you've just got to go with the blows.
"It's a long season and we've got a lot of great players so whoever gets a spot will do a good job.
"Once I get my chance I'll be taking it with both hands."
With the ability to play fullback, wing and centre on either side of the field Mata'utia is the most versatile player at the club. Asked if his utility value had consigned him to a backup Mr Fixit role during his career Mata'utia said: "It could have. It can be good for you and it can be bad as well...but I'm happy where I'm at at the moment and I'm just looking forward to watching the boys play this week and hopefully getting the two points."
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/2939187/versatile-matautia-content-to-wait/?cs=2382
