Uate warns; ‘I’m not done yet’

Newcastle's Akuila Uate scores a try. Source: Brett Costello / News Corp Australia

HE may no longer be regarded as the world's best winger and one of the game's biggest drawcards.

But Newcastle's Fijian flyer Akuila Uate has news for the critics already writing him off as a spent force in the NRL, declaring: "I'm not done yet".

And he says the emergence of outstanding young talents like new Kangaroo Test winger Sione Mata'utia and his brother Chanel at the Knights last season has only made him want to work harder to regain his status as one of the game's best wingers.

After enduring a tough season with injury that ended early and saw him undergo an off-season knee operation, Uate was back at training on Thursday ahead of schedule, albeit on light duties.

In a frank and honest interview with The Daily Telegraph, Uate admitted he has some ground to make up form-wise in 2015 but is determined to return fully fit and get back to his best.

Resuming from injury, Akuila Uate, watches his team mates slog it out on Newcastle Beach. Source: News Corp Australia

"I have a point to prove to myself more than anything," he said.

"Next year is definitely a big year for me. I just want to play how I used to play and how I know I can still play.

"I was really down this year with my knee and with Alex (McKinnon) and everything. I had a lot of things affecting me and getting me down.

"I hurt my knee in the first couple of rounds against Canberra but I kept playing with it.

"I probably should have got something done straight away. The club didn't think it was that serious so I kept playing with it but it just got worse.

"Now I'm just trying to get my rehab done and move forward."

Uate, who underwent microsurgery after severe bone bruising was discovered in his knee, said he struggled mentally with the injury and his form deteriorated because of it.

Coach Rick Stone chats with Jeremy Smith and Akuila Uate. Source: News Corp Australia

"I was a bit filthy at myself but I just couldn't go 100 per cent at my best because of the knee and my head wasn't in the right space either," he said.

"But I'm feeling good now after my first session back with the boys doing the full skills session.

"I've got to keep working hard."

Uate denied he is feeling any extra pressure from the emergence of Sione and Chanel Mata'utia after both he and wing partner James McManus were sidelined towards the end of last season.

"I was very happy and really proud those boys got to play some first grade,'' he said.

"I was talking to them all the time and to see what Sione did — it was awesome. To come from Newcastle and play up through all the grades and go on to Australia was unbelievable at his age. He's made history.

"I've been down. This year has not been a good run for me but I'm not done yet. I'm 27 but I'm still learning all the time.

"Seeing all the young boys coming up and Sione playing for Australia — it just makes me want to work harder for next year."

Akuila Uate scores a try. Source: News Corp Australia

Knights coach Rick Stone is in no hurry to fast-track Uate's return to full-time training.

"Obviously, he's a valuable commodity for us so we are not in a massive hurry to get him back full-time," Stone said.

"The thing with him is I know Aku has still got plenty of fire in his belly and he's got a bit to prove.

"He hasn't been happy in his performance over the past couple of years. He's always heavily marked now but he knows he has to do a few things a bit better and prepare a bit better but the first thing is to get himself right and have some luck injury wise.

"The secret with Aku is getting him enjoying his footy and if we can do that, we'll see him return to the sort of footy we all know he can play."

Do the Knights have room in their starting side for Akuila Uate?

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