Fijian Flyer Chooses To Stay In Knights Castle
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday June 11, 2008
THE Knights have fended off interest from a host of rival clubs to retain the services of outstanding wing prospect Akuila Uate.
The 20-year-old flyer agreed to terms yesterday for one more season after his agent, Darryl Mather, said he had considered offers from three NRL clubs and four Super 14 rugby union franchises.Uate said last night that he was "very happy" to extend his deal by another year after recently indicating to the club he was seeking a two-season contract."I just love playing for Newcastle," he said. "I get along with all the boys, and it would have been too hard to move."Yet to make his NRL debut, Uate said he "can't wait" for his first taste of top-grade action.The Fijian-born dynamo is rated as Newcastle's fastest player, and Knights coach Brian Smith has been waiting for the right moment to unleash him in the NRL.The 2005 Australian Schoolboys representative has been biding his time behind Newcastle's incumbent flankers, Cooper Vuna and James McManus. Neither Vuna nor McManus have missed a game this season, and both were outstanding in last week's 22-12 win against the Bulldogs.Signing for one year perhaps indicates both Uate's management and the Knights are unsure how quickly he will progress in the space of 12 months.This time next year he could be a budding superstar, in which case his asking price would skyrocket.Or he could still be stuck in limbo and eager to change clubs in search of opportunity.Knights insiders believe the young powerhouse has unlimited potential and hope Smith's patience will ultimately pay dividends for the club.
© 2008 Newcastle Herald