Akuila Uate rides his bike to and from training and is the centre of attention again. The scowl has been replaced with a smile. The family fretting over their dad and husband playing injured is a thing of the past. Just as coach Trent Barrett said, some blokes just need an arm around them.
"That's the best thing at the moment ... just winning games again," Uate said with a smile. "I haven't won in the last two years. I'm happy now and I can't look back and say, 'I should have done this or I should have done that'. It's too late.
More Rugby League Videos
- Video duration
- 01:30
Manly thrash Souths as Uate grabs four
Manly thrash Souths as Uate grabs four
The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles have thrashed the South Sydney Rabbitohs, 46 to 8.
Up Next
Cronulla defeat unlucky Tigers
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Cronulla defeat unlucky Tigers
Cronulla defeat unlucky Tigers
The Cronulla Sharks have continued their undefeated away run this season with a 22-16 win over the Wests Tigers, though there was early controversy over a disallowed try.
Up Next
Paul Gallen accused of selling Bunker with dive
- Video duration
- 00:27
- Video duration
- 00:27
Paul Gallen accused of selling Bunker ...
Paul Gallen accused of selling Bunker with dive
The NRL's Bunker has been accused of falling for a Paul Gallen dive, the resulting penalty costing James Tedesco a try.
Up Next
Staunch Bulldogs grind win over Raiders
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Staunch Bulldogs grind win over Raiders
Staunch Bulldogs grind win over Raiders
The Bulldogs survived the loss of both James Graham and Josh Reynolds to hold on for an impressive win over Canberra.
Up Next
Sam Thaiday gives the Kangaroos ode
- Video duration
- 01:22
- Video duration
- 01:22
Sam Thaiday gives the Kangaroos ode
Sam Thaiday gives the Kangaroos ode
Sam Thaiday shares the ode that reflects the culture of the Kangaroos and what they represent as a team.
Up Next
Hayne stars as Titans trounce Knights
- Video duration
- 01:17
- Video duration
- 01:17
Hayne stars as Titans trounce Knights
Hayne stars as Titans trounce Knights
Jarryd Hayne and Konrad Hurrell both scored doubles as a strong second-half performance saw the Titans ease to victory over the Knights on the Gold Coast.
Up Next
Edwards throws chair after face slap sin bin
- Video duration
- 00:48
- Video duration
- 00:48
Edwards throws chair after face slap sin ...
Edwards throws chair after face slap sin bin
Kenny Edwards has become the first player to be sin binned for slapping, taking his frustrations out on a chair in the dressing room.
Up Next
Eels ambush Cowboys in Townsville
- Video duration
- 01:30
- Video duration
- 01:30
Eels ambush Cowboys in Townsville
Eels ambush Cowboys in Townsville
The Parramatta Eels have ended their seven-year losing streak in Townsville, with a 26 to 6 win over the North Queensland Cowboys
Manly thrash Souths as Uate grabs four
The Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles have thrashed the South Sydney Rabbitohs, 46 to 8.
"I don't give up too easily. I just keep going and keep going. My kids are the main thing. If my kids are happy then I'm happy. I just keep fighting until I know they're set. I want them to grow up having a great life, finish school ... if I keep going."
Thankfully, Uate has. Languishing in Newcastle's Intrust Super Premiership squad last year behind an NRL side that couldn't get out of its own way, many thought the cult hero was done. Not the man himself.
Related Content
Then the Sea Eagles traded the ever reliable and younger Jamie Buhrer for Uate, both of whom haven't been seen in NSW colours since 2012. One was apparently still improving, the other in the rugby league wilderness. But Barrett and Bob Fulton knew something no one else did.
"It was hard because Jamie was one of the [favourite] sons of Manly," Uate said. "Moving down here, I just needed to prove myself to the Manly fans and do my job. That's what 'Baz' has been telling me every day.
"And because in the past two years I've been really down on confidence, this year I'm really, really concentrating on [the Sea Eagles]. If I do my job for Manly I might get a rep jersey.
"But I would love to put on the blue jersey again. I just want to prove everyone wrong. The last time I played Origin I was getting picked on, but it's football and Origin – it's a hard game. I would love to put that jersey back on one more time."
The ship may have sailed, especially given Manly's young fullback Tom Trbojevic is tipped to earn one of the wing spots this year. But who is to question Uate's ambition? Especially after bagging four tries thanks to his centre partner Dylan Walker against a hapless Rabbitohs on Friday night.
Uate and Walker's Manly teammates will tell you the pair are the life of the party anywhere the squad goes. And they're playing like it, too.
"I love having 'Choc' around and sometimes people forget what he's done in the game," Walker said. "He's won Dally M winger [of the year] three times.
"That's pretty special to have a player like that come to your club. Coming to a new club and new environment he's probably found some fire in his belly and he's playing extraordinary the past few weeks."
0 comments
New User? Sign up