After an impressive display in the Sea Eagles' gutsy 30-20 Friday night victory over the Wests Tigers, Feleti Mateo has praised his side's halves for their efforts in controlling the attack.
"I thought they were really good," Mateo told NRL.com.
"Kieran in particular really stood up for us. And obviously it was a massive ask for 'Cherry' [halfback Daly Cherry-Evans], backing up after Origin," he said.
"Those guys steered us very well and did a great job."
One of the most skillful second-rowers going around the NRL at the moment, Mateo also helped the playmaking pair out at times on Friday night.
Most notably he threw a perfect inside pass to set Kieran Foran up for a try late in the first half.
The 31-year-old said he just helps out wherever he can.
"Yeah, I do a little bit of playmaking when I can," he said.
"I'm just doing my job, I was playing back row tonight so I was asked to do some tough runs there that I was happy to do and whenever I can I do a bit of ball playing to take some pressure off the halves."
However, perhaps Mateo's most impressive effort was his goal-kicking. Despite only being a part-timer, he nailed five from five, including a beauty from the sideline with his first attempt.
"I was pretty nervous my knees were touching before the first one I was shaking that much," he said.
"It was the hardest one and I was happy to see it go over and the rest were easy so it was a happy night for me."
The skillful back-rower also said now is the time for his club to pull themselves off the bottom of the ladder.
"It's just about putting some wins together now," he said.
"We know how important it is to not slip up."
