Sione Mata'utia and Beau Scott in the Australian squad

jamesgould

jamesgould

Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Staff member
Admin
Definitely deserves its own thread!

I assume Sione will likely only play for Aus in the game against Samoa, but he will become the youngest Kangaroo in history when he does play for them.

No way I saw that coming, I know there'd been some speculation, but that's all I thought it was. Congrat to both our players selected, but I'm in shock! :lol:
 
That's crazy he is so young and raw still, but I honestly can't disagree with it, he is playing very solid football and doesn't make many errors or drop his head if he does. Beau Scott deserves this as well, glad players are getting picked on form!
 
Wooo this is awesome, I still stand by statement that if he isn't in the 17 next year Stone has rocks in his head.
 
Excellent news!

I also still stand by my statement regarding how dumb people are on Facebook. Comments such as "He got owned in the final against the Warriors." & "How does Mata'utia make the squad? Outrage."

STFU PLZ
 
Matty23 said:
Excellent news!

I also still stand by my statement regarding how dumb people are on Facebook. Comments such as "He got owned in the final against the Warriors." & "How does Mata'utia make the squad? Outrage."

STFU PLZ
Click to expand...

I dunno, if I wasn't a Knights fan I'd be totally baffled as well. As a Knights fan I'll instead categorise myself as extremely surprised!
 
packo said:
If it was Origin I would be hesitant, he will probably only get a game or two if he is lucky. I think he will benefit greatly.
Click to expand...

I hope so!

But jumping from NYC to an Australian side at 18 is massive. I just hope his lack of experience doesn't cause him to be overwhelmed, especially in defense on the wing. I am no football expert but being a good confident defender out there seems to grow with experience.

It's just all happening so quickly. It doesn't seem that long ago my son was trialing against him in Harold Mats. My son declared at the time that Sione was a freak and was in total awe of him so it is no surprise I suppose. He was always going to be a superstar.
 
Beau Scott and Sione Mata'utia selected for Kangaroos

Tue 14th October, 12:05PM

1413251336332.jpg



Newcastle Knights Beau Scott and rookie Sione Mata’utia have gained selection in the Holden Kangaroos squad to represent in the Four Nations tournament.

The Australian Rugby League Commission made the squad announcement on Tuesday at noon.

Ten players have been selected to make their test debuts in the tournament, including 18-year-old Mata’utia, which begins with a double header at Suncorp Stadium on October 25.

“We have a really good blend of experience and youth,” Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens said.

“The positive for me is the experience that even the debutants have.

“We have a high proportion of State of Origin representatives and premiership winners and they all deserve to wear the jumper.”


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2014/10/14/scott_and_mata_utia_s_kangaroos_selection_.html





- - - Updated - - -

Four Nations 2014: 10 debutants named in Kangaroos squad


  • NEWS CORP AUSTRALIA
  • OCTOBER 14, 2014 11:36AM

SIONE Mata’utia is on the verge of becoming the youngest ever Kangaroo after being named in a Four Nations squad including 10 debutants.

The Newcastle rookie only played his first NRL game in round 20 this year, but takes his spot in an injury-depleted Kangaroos side following a brilliant run of form that included seven tries in his first seven games.

Sione, the youngest of the four Mata’utia brothers, turned 18 on June 25 will become the youngest ever Australian debutant when he gets a run during the series.

Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens replying that “he’ll get a game” when asked if Mata’utia would play.

"It's a big deal," said Australian Rugby League Commission chief John Grant after announcing the squad in Sydney.

Israel Folau is the current record holder making his Kangaroos debut aged 18 years and 194 days.

Folau, now a dual international and the ARU's hottest property, was already the NRL's newcomer of the year and a grand final winner with the Melbourne Storm when he received his Kangaroos call-up.

Mata'utia, the subject of a tug-of-war for his services between Newcastle and Canterbury when he contract with the Knights ends in 2015, has no such credentials.

Only Jim Lisle back in 1962 has experienced a faster elevation to the Test side after playing just five games for South Sydney before earning the call-up.

If and when Mata'utia secures his maiden cap during the Four Nations, he will join St George's rugby league Immortal Reg Gasnier in playing for Australia after only seven club games.

"He's a kid of the future, to be honest. Quite a few people agree with me," Sheens said after citing Mata'utia's versatility and "obvious talent" as the chief reasons for his selection.

The 10 Australian debutants are Aidan Guerra, Ben Hunt, Josh Jackson, Alex Johnston, David Klemmer, Josh Mansour, Sione Mata’utia, Daniel Tupou, Dylan Walker and Aaron Woods.

It is the most debutants for an Australian team since the 1995 series against New Zealand at the height of the Super League war.

That series featured 11 debutants including Steve Menzies, Gary Larson and Jason Smith.

Stalwarts Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater and Matt Scott are among the biggest names to have withdrawn through injury, while Paul Gallen is still serving a drug ban, and the likes of Nate Myles, James Tamou and Darius Boyd are also unavailable.

“We have a really good blend of experience and youth,” Sheens said.

“The positive for me is the experience that even the debutants have. We have a high proportion of State of Origin representatives and premiership winners and they all deserve to wear the jumper.”

Matt Moylan and Mitchell Pearce were overlooked, despite strong performances over the back half of the year.Hunt caps off a memorable 24 hours after being named Broncos Player of the Year on Monday night.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ealand-and-samoa/story-fni3fbgz-1227089922501

 
Only joking manager :P

- - - Updated - - -

Back to the topic anyway It's great to see him get picked for the side, even if it does come as a bit of a shock!

Oh yeah and manager, that actually was a good insult, I'll give you that :lol:
 
Sione spending a month in training with the Kangaroos will be fantastic for him, even if he doesn't get a game.
We need to give him a long holiday afterwards.
 
Of all the crap being dished out by people on social media and forums regarding Sione's selection these ones stood out for me :lol:

"Mata'utia only got the gig cause he has a funny name"

And from the same forum...

"Sione Mata’utia (Newcastle Knights/Raymond Terrace/South Newcastle) How is he better than Croker?"

Good for a laugh anyway :lol:
 
Yeah this is going to give him a massive boost in confidence. Who would have thought though? I think I watched him play for the first time against the Goannas this year & thought he was a skinny guy who could maybe handle first-grade in time & get 1 or 2 games at the end of the season if he was lucky. And now he's going to become a Kangaroo playing & training for a month with some of the best players on the planet.

Also the squad itself makes for an exciting tournament, usually the Australian team is pretty same & boring. Now there's a heap of new faces & maybe Australia won't be as superior to the other teams as they have been.
 
rhugh89 said:
Of all the crap being dished out by people on social media and forums regarding Sione's selection these ones stood out for me :lol:

"Mata'utia only got the gig cause he has a funny name"

And from the same forum...

"Sione Mata’utia (Newcastle Knights/Raymond Terrace/South Newcastle) How is he better than Croker?"
Good for a laugh anyway :lol:
Click to expand...

The first comment is pretty stupid, but really Croker isn't that bad of a player, would of been in the top 3 centres for this year, but still gets hate for how he used to be woeful in defence which he has improved on.
 
rhugh89 said:
Of all the crap being dished out by people on social media and forums regarding Sione's selection these ones stood out for me :lol:

"Mata'utia only got the gig cause he has a funny name"

And from the same forum...

"Sione Mata’utia (Newcastle Knights/Raymond Terrace/South Newcastle) How is he better than Croker?"
Good for a laugh anyway :lol:
Click to expand...

Which is what I'm trying to say.

People who don't even watch the Knights think he is rubbish purely because of our semi vs Warriors while he was injured. Some were even saying to put Moylan on the wing because he shouldn't be there..

7 games of NRL, 7 tries, 100+ metres a game and one of the best up and comers in the NYC/NRL who also got selected for the PM's squad, I wonder why he is there. One word = FREAK.

It may be a surprise but it's too exciting for me to even care what people think of him because most fans of the NRL seem jealous that we have him. :dancing:
 
I can totally understand why people find it weird that he is there. People have this idea where if you have played under a full season of footy, you shouldn't be playing for Australia, which does make sense as people don't want players in there who are inexperienced.
 
Sione Mat'utia set to make history

Tue 14th October, 05:09PM

18-year-old Newcastle Knight Sione Mata’utia is on the verge of making history as the youngest player to represent Australia.

Mata’utia was announced in the 24-man Holden Kangaroos squad ahead of the Four Nations Tournament, alongside Knights teammate Beau Scott.

The young talent learned of the phenomenal achievement from Australian Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens on Tuesday morning and revealed he found it hard to believe the news.

“I’m still shivering, I’m still nervous and pinching myself,” he told the media at a press conference at Knights HQ on Tuesday.

“I’m really proud of myself and my family is really proud of me, I just can’t wait to get in there.

"My sister gave me a call today and she had a few tears, it’s the best thing getting support from your family, and to get the news while I’m back, it’s awesome.

“It’s awesome to share the news with my family, and especially my brothers, they’ve helped me and have really been the spine of my success.

Until he was asked by the media how it felt to be the youngest player to represent Australia, Mata'utia was unaware of the gravity of his selection.

"That’s probably a big achievement and I can’t wait to tell my mum that, she’ll be happy for me," he said.

"Words can’t describe it."

Despite already racking up a growing list of achievements in his short career, a humble Mata’utia said he was astonished by his selection.

“I absolutely didn’t (expect it), I thought the Prime Minister’s team was enough for me, so I just thought if I go out there and give myself every chance, but I never thought I’d get the call to say I was selected,” he said.

Mata'utia has experienced a rapid rise after making his debut in Round 20 to go on to play seven games with the Knights first grade side.

“It has been a really fast track. My dream coming true has come really early," he said.

“I’m just trying to take it as it is and go with the flow…take it easy and enjoy the whole experience."

The youngest of the four Mata’utia brothers is one of ten debutants named in the 24-man squadand is eager to make the most of the opportunity.

For now, he most looks forward to joining his Kangaroos teammates and being around players he’s always admired.

“It’s going to be awesome being around players that I’ve seen week to week and watched on TV.

“I can’t wait to brush shoulders with them and just to talk to them about playing Four Nations and playing for the country,” he said.


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2014/10/14/sione_mata_utia_set_to_make_history_.html




 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top