HE was born in Sydney’s western suburbs, but Sione Mata’utia feels as Newcastle as Nobbys.
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And the 18-year-old boy wonder, who has played just nine NRL games but has already created history as Australia’s youngest Test representative, wants to play for the Knights for the rest of his career.
Sione, pictured, and older brothers Chanel and Pat ended months of speculation about their futures on Thursday when they signed new three-year contracts to stay in Newcastle until the end of 2018.
They signed letters of intent in September to join the Bulldogs on four-year deals from the end of this year but, under NRL rules, the Knights had until round 13 to make counter-offers.
The brothers made it clear through a protracted negotiation process, which included severing ties with long-time manager Chris Haddad, that they wanted to stay in Newcastle.
Sione reinforced that sentiment when he told the Newcastle Herald he wanted to be a Knight for life.
‘‘I was born in Sydney, but I can’t remember too much about it, so I consider myself a Novocastrian at the end of the day,’’ Sione said. ‘‘That’s a big reason why I want to be a one-club player.
‘‘That accolade against your name, it’s something really special, and when you become a one-club player, you build a bond with the club and this beautiful community in Newcastle.
‘‘They ride the highs when we win and the lows when we lose, and it was a tough year for the community last year, and I just love Newcastle.’’
Sione was five when his family moved from Liverpool to Raymond Terrace. They have since relocated to Mayfield, where he lives with twin sister Sylvia and mother Matalena.
The Hunter Sports High School graduate grew up idolising Andrew Johns, Danny Buderus, Matt and Kurt Gidley and Jarrod Mullen and developed a strong affinity with the region as he progressed through the juniors at the Terrace, South Newcastle and the Knights.
He now plays NRL with Mullen and Kurt Gidley, Buderus is one of his coaches, and club chief executive Matt Gidley stood with him at a media conference on Thursday to announce his signing.
And just like his heroes, Mata’utia wants to play his entire NRL career in Newcastle.
‘‘Since I was little I always wanted to play for the Knights, and being a one-club player, there’s not too many players like that around,’’ he said.
Former coach Wayne Bennett described Sione as a future Knights captain after just his fourth NRL game late last season. He hopes to make good on Bennett’s bold prediction, but for now is more than happy to follow orders while he feels his way in first grade.
‘‘That was a big one, but I’ve got to wait and see how I progress throughout the next few years,’’ he said.
‘‘Growing up, I always considered myself a captain of any team I got in, and I love to be a leader, but at this point in time I think I’ll just bide my time.’’