Castleford sign Peter Mata’utia

Castleford Tigers have signed fullback Peter Mata’utia on a three-year deal.

He joins from Championship club Leigh Centurions, where he has spent the current 2018 season – playing 20 times, scoring 9 tries.

Mata’utia, 27, will link up with the Tigers for the remainder of the 2018 season as they push for a Super League Semi-Final spot and a return to the Grand Final.

The fullback has represented Samoa in International rugby and featured in the 2017 Rugby League World cup in Australia. He also featured in the NRL with Newcastle Knights and St George Illawarra Dragons where he managed over 70 first grade games.

On the move, he expressed his delight: “Castleford as a club excites me and I can’t wait to get playing with this team”

Head coach, Daryl Powell, explains that they have had eyes on the Samoan for some time: “He is a player we have been watching all season, he is a quality outside back who can play in different positions”

The Tigers director of rugby Jon Wells is delighted with the capture – but is also thoughtful of the difficult situation Leigh find themselves in at present, he said: “We had to work hard to get Peter over the line and I would like to personally thank Kieron 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.”