Knights CEO will aim to convince the Mata’utia brothers to remain at the Hunter.
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Newcastle Knights chief executive Matt Gidley is confident of retaining the Mata’utia brothers, despite the trio signing deals with Canterbury Bulldogs for the 2016 season.
The Daily Telegraph reported on Tuesday that Sione, Chanel and Pat Mata’utia had signed four-year deals with the Bulldogs.
However, under current NRL rules, Newcastle have until round 13 next season to to convince the emerging stars to remain at the club.
“They were distraught about it (signing with Canterbury),” Gidley told The Daily Telegraph.
“We were having a chat about everything and then they just came out with: “We’ve signed something’.
“I’d been waiting for a reply from their manager to our most recent offer for them so it blindsided me a bit.”
“Once I told them about the rules and what they had signed is not binding until after round 13 next season, they were a lot more relaxed and relieved.”
Gidley added that he would meet with the three brothers on Wednesday without their manager Chris Haddad.
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