Knights Still Control Fate Of Uate: Smith

Sun Herald

Sunday April 13, 2008

By Robert Dillon

NEWCASTLE Knights coach Brian Smith has reassured Fijian flyer Akuila Uate that he is still a big part of the club's plans.

Uate, the 20-year-old winger who is yet to play in the NRL but is rated by many as a future superstar, is a free agent at the end of the season.

The Knights re-signed Kiwi import Cooper Vuna to a new two-year deal last week, having recently extended their deal with James McManus for a further three seasons.

In addition, they already have Wes Naiqama and Luke MacDougall on their books, both of whom are capable of playing on the wing as well as centre.

Despite their well-stocked roster of outside backs, Smith remains extremely keen to retain Uate and indicated the youngster was not far away from making his top-grade debut.

"His professional attitude, and the way he's approaching his training over the last two or three months, suggests strongly that he's really getting himself properly ready to play, and not just training on his talent," Smith said.

"He's hardened up his attitude, he's hardened up his body, and he's getting ready to meet the tough test that it is in the NRL."

Smith said the Knights would bide their time before making Uate an offer but admitted that meant rival clubs could soon start circling Newcastle's fastest player.

"They could," Smith said.

"But we've spoken to his manager, and Aku himself is fully aware of how we're feeling about it and I don't think he wants to go anywhere.

"We're pretty keen to assess him. It's only recently that he's adopted a much better attitude towards being a professional player, and he's showing the benefits of that already.

"We think he needs a little bit more time before we make a decision, and there's a possibility that we won't be able to match what other clubs come up with.

"But I'm sure Aku would tell you he's enjoying his football where he is, and he's just waiting for his chance to show us. He's likely to get that fairly soon, I would think."

Meanwhile, Smith said the absence of Brisbane skipper Darren Lockyer from today's clash with the Knights at EnergyAustralia Stadium was "a bonus" but still rated the Broncos as Newcastle's biggest challenge so far.

"At the moment Brisbane are on top of the comp, so we're playing a team that's in form," Smith said.

"It's a little bit of an upgrade on the four tests that we've had so far.

"We're two and two, and playing the competition leaders. It's a great opportunity for us to get some credibility into our place.

"We're steadily building it, but I don't think anyone could deny that if we beat Brisbane we're a reasonable team."

Smith said the playmaking skills of Peter Wallace, Brisbane's off-season recruit from Penrith, would help compensate for Lockyer's absence today."He's a talented player with the ball in his hands.

"He's got a neat kicking game, and that's obviously been a tremendous thing for them with Darren Lockyer not playing this week."

Newcastle suffered a club-record 71-6 hiding from Brisbane in the last clash between the two clubs, but only five Knights playing today were involved in that rout.

Newcastle have been bolstered today by the return of veteran centre Adam MacDougall (knee), and the inclusion of former Melbourne premiership prop Ben Cross, who will make his debut for the Knights.