Akuila Uate (born 6 October 1987), also known by the nicknames of "Aku", and "Akuila the Thriller", is a former professional rugby league footballer who played on the . He was both a Fiji and Australian international. He played for the Newcastle Knights, where he is the highest try-scorer in their history, as well as the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the NRL, and later the Huddersfield Giants in the Super League. A three time Dally M Winger of the Year, he represented New South Wales in State of Origin. He also represented the Prime Minister's XIII, NRL All Stars, Country NSW and the World All Stars team. Background Uate was born in Votua, in the Province of Nadroga-Navosa, Fiji. He moved to Woy Woy, New South Wales, Australia, in 2003. He played his junior football for the Woy Woy Roosters in New South Wales before being signed by the Newcastle Knights. As a junior, Uate came 3rd in the underage Australian sprinting finals. Uate was tipped as a future superstar by Knights legend, Andrew Johns. Johns said about Uate, "In all my years in rugby league I've never seen a better athlete than this bloke." He was also described by the talent scout who spotted him as "the next Lote Tuqiri". Uate played for the Knights' Premier League and Jersey Flegg teams in 2006. Uate scored a try in the 2006 Jersey Flegg Grand Final 22–20 defeat by the Penrith Panthers Jersey Flegg side. While attending Brisbane Waters Senior College, Uate played for the Australian schoolboys in 2005. On 7 October 2006, Uate represented Fiji in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup qualifying match against the Cook Islands, playing at and scoring a try in the 40–4 win at Penrith Stadium. Playing career 2008 In Round 19 of the 2008 NRL season, Uate made his NRL debut for the Newcastle Knights against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks at and scored a try in the Knights 16–13 loss at Remondis Stadium. Uate finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 4 matches and scoring 3 tries for the Knights in the 2008 season. Uate played in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup for Fiji. Uate was considered one of the tournament's 'Players to Watch' by NRL Live pre-tournament and went on to score 5 tries in 4 matches, including a hat trick against France in Fiji's 42–6 win at