Sione Mata'utia | Player's Perspective

St Helens meet Castleford Tigers in Round 19 in a Betfred Super League fixture which will hold extra significance for two players.

Saints star Sione Mata’utia is in line to face his older brother Peter when the two sides meet on Thursday Night. 

The brothers come from a hugely successful sporting family – Sione and Pete, along with their two other brothers, have all played top flight Rugby League in Australia - although the sport wasn’t always the main driving force in their family.

“Both of my parents were international volleyballers. My mum and my dad played Volleyball for Samoa and my mum also played Netball for New Zealand.

“My two elder sisters represented Australia in Volleyball and Netball - so at the start, it wasn’t really Rugby League.

“Pete was the first one that laid the platform for us in Rugby League – he started to make the Knights junior system in Newcastle then it just kicked on from there.??

🗣?? "If we are not wearing the same jersey then he is not my brother on the field that's for sure!"

Hear from our new signing Sione Mata'utia on his excitement, the influence of the boss and the rivalry with his brother @PeteMatautia ... 👊

Watch in FULL on Saints TV 👇
— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) November 18, 2020

And kick on they did. All four of the Mata’utia boys played first grade in the NRL - they were fortunate enough to play alongside each other whilst at the Knights. Sione and his brother Chanel even made their NRL debut for Newcastle together during the same match.

“I get goosebumps now thinking about it. It was amazing. It was a whirlwind year, we all got to play with each other and take the field as brothers, but teammates as well. It was a very cool experience.

“We always talk about it when we catch up. We’re pretty fortunate that us four boys got to play first grade at the same level.

“We were trying to get all four of us on the field at once but it was pretty hard because we were all centres and wingers at the time!??

From teammates to opponents, Sione and Pete were set to go head to head at the iconic Wembley Stadium in the Challenge Cup Final. 

But, unfortunately for Sione, it didn't come to fruition. He cruelly missed out after picking up a suspension the week before the final - a devastating blow in his maiden season at the Saints. 

“I was pretty rattled, but I couldn’t let it get to me. I didn’t want myself and my situation to be a distraction to everyone.

“I just had to bite the bullet and put on a brave face for the boys - they still had a job to do at the end of the day. I was just one piece of the puzzle that wasn’t there.

“The Challenge Cup means a lot to these boys. Before I came over, I had no idea what it meant. It really means a lot this one, it’s the one we really wanted and I really bought into it emotionally.

“So to miss out, I just couldn’t get my head around it.??

Nevertheless, he was still a major part of the teams run to the final and travelled with the squad to London. Thankfully, he was able to experience first hand the elation of winning a trophy that had slipped through Saints grasp for over a decade.

Standing on the side lines, Sione's celebrations quickly came to a halt after seeing his brother, who was visibly devastated after missing out on Challenge Cup glory.

??????????????? https://t.co/zlWB2IwFZo
— PeanutMatautia (@PeteMatautia) July 19, 2021

“It was a bittersweet feeling. We came together and I gave him a big hug and he just let it all out.

“I sort of felt guilty at the time. I thought it’s my brother and I didn’t really want to celebrate in front of him.

“They (Castleford Tigers) expected to win as much as we did so I think that’s why he was so let down. They invested a lot into that game and gave it everything they could.

“Pete played his heart out in that game and really gave it a crack but yeah, it was a bittersweet feeling for me. I enjoyed it, but at the back of my mind I still thought about him and felt for him.??

Now, attention turns to Thursday’s meeting and a chance for Cas to avenge their Challenge Cup heartbreak. And, of course, an opportunity for Sione and Pete to finally take each other on. 

Last weekend, lightning very nearly struck twice – both Sione and Pete were yellow carded in their Round 18 games - which meant a nervous wait for the judiciary verdict.

Thankfully, neither were charged and they have both been cleared to play on Thursday. The prospect of the two sides repeating that enthralling Challenge Cup Final creates an appetizing narrative for this game, as does the chance to watch the Mata'utia brothers lock horns for the first time on these shores.

“It’s going to be interesting – I haven’t played against him in a long time. Last time we did, I remember we were going at it pretty hard, so I can’t wait to go at it again!

“He’s a centre and I’m a forward so I don’t know how much interaction we’ll get with each other.

“But he knows that he can get under my skin. He’ll go out of his way to find me! He’s good at it so I’ll be on my game and ready for it.??

Whatever the outcome on Thursday, it will be a special moment for them both to reflect on when the final whistle blows. But for 80 minutes, brotherly love will go firmly out of the window.