“[Sims] has let us in on a few things but Pete will know us upside down as well so I’m sure he’s done some homework with Nath this week,” McGregor said.

“He was a very good and exciting player for us in 2015,” McGregor said.

“I thought he was he one of our better players. Unfortunately he didn’t get the start to the season that he wanted and sought a release to go home and play with his brothers. 

“He’s gone there now and he’ll be looking for a really good game there against Euan [Aitken] this weekend. 

“It’s a good opportunity for Euan to play against a quality player to bring out his best.”

Aitken believes Mata’utia will have a point to prove against his former club where he struggled to cement a permanent starting spot over two and a half seasons.

“I think he will on a personal note,” Aitken said.

“Everyone’s got something to prove when they come up against their former club because you want to rub it in their face a little bit. 

“It’ll be a bit different, I’ve never played against him before Pete’s a really good bloke and I’m sure it’ll be a really good battle out there on the field.

“He’s probably looking to get one up on us because he’s left the club now.”

Sims won’t play on Saturday with the stipulations of his early release preventing him from turning out against the Knights before June 30.