Mata’utia is a Tiger!

Posted: Thursday 26th July 2018 - 9:57 AM

Castleford Tigers have landed fullback Peter Mata’utia on a 3-year deal.



Mata’utia will link up with the Tigers immediately, on loan until the end of the 2018 season, in preparation for the Super League Super 8s as Castleford push to secure a Semi-Final spot and a possible return to the Betfred Super League Grand Final.



The 27 year-old, has spent the current season with Leigh Centurions in the Betfred Championship playing 20 times for the Leythers and scoring 9 tries. Mata’utia is better known for his time in the NRL with Newcastle Knights and St George Illawarra Dragons where he racked up over 70 first grade games in Australia.

Mata’utia has regularly represented Samoa in International rugby and played in the 2017 World Cup for his nation.

The full back is delighted to be heading to Super League with Castleford and is excited to get straight into training with the Tigers today: “I can’t wait to start training with my new team mates. Castleford as a club excites me and I can’t wait to get playing with this team. Everyone I have spoken to raves about this club, about the coaching environment and the passionate fans, and I’m just really excited to pull on a Castleford shirt and experience my first game here.”



Head Coach, Daryl Powell is excited to have a player of Mata’utia’s skill at the Tigers: “I would like to welcome Peter to our club. He is a player we have been watching all season, he is a quality outside back who can play in different positions, but we have signed him primarily as a fullback. I am delighted with this signing and I look forward to seeing his impact on the group and the team in this season and throughout his contract. I have heard nothing but positive things about Peter and I’m confident he will be an outstanding acquisition for the Tigers. ”



Castleford Tigers director of rugby Jon Wells, said: “We are exceptionally pleased to have secured Peter’s signature for the next three seasons. He is a proven talent at the very highest level and we have made another bold statement on the direction this club is going by securing a player of this calibre. We had to work hard to get Peter over the line and I would like to personally thank Kieran Cunningham, Matt Chantler and particularly Derek Beaumont at Leigh Centurions for their professionalism in dealing with a very difficult situation at their club at the moment. I wish them all the very best in the future.”

Wells added: “The future of Castleford Tigers was bright anyway; now it is positively glowing!”



Castleford Tigers are back in action on Sunday afternoon, taking on Widnes Vikings at the Halton Stadium in the last game of the regular Betfred Super League season before the Super 8’s commence, where Mata’utia could make his first appearance.



Tickets and travel are available now from the Tigers Den club shop in Carlton Lanes, from the Castleford Tigers Sports Superstore in Xscape and from the Tigers online box office here.