The Newcastle Knights have re-signed the Mata’utia brothers – Sione, Chanel and Pat – until the end of the 2018 NRL season.
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The trio all penned three-year contract extensions despite interest from rival NRL clubs, with Sione the most wanted out of three.
Sione became Australia’s youngest ever Test player last year and said that staying together as a family was a key reason for their decision to stay at Hunter Stadium.
“Mum didn’t want to leave Newcastle and being together as a family is important to us,” the 18-year-old said in a club statement.
Knights chief executive Matt Gidley said the club’s fans would be happy with the re-signing of the trio.
“As we have said all along, our priority is to retain our best young local talent,” Gidley said.
“In addition to the boys’ rugby league talents, they are outstanding young men from a wonderful family, which is very important from our club’s point of view.
“Many of our members and supporters have been waiting for this news, so we hope they are as happy as we are with the trio’s commitment to the club.
“By re-signing the three brothers, we show we have and will continue to work hard on retaining our best young juniors.”
22-year-old Chanel made his NRL debut late in 2014 and has since featured in seven games for the Knights.
Pat, 21, is yet to make his first-grade debut.
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