Move got Uate going

HAVING returning to careerbest NRL form this season, Manly’s Akuila Uate has never been happier and puts his resurgence down to leaving Newcastle.

The Fijian-born winger is playing as well as his 2011-12 seasons with the Knights, when he earned five NSW State of Origin caps to prove one of the signings of the year.

He has scored seven tries from 10 games this season for the sixth-placed Sea Eagles.

“(I’m) probably the fittest I’ve ever been - just being happy again,” Uate said.

“(I was) just wanting to play first grade again, so I had to prove myself to Baz (coach Trent Barrett) and the coaching staff and team that I’ve still got it.

“I had to be fit, no matter what, to get my spot again.”