Our NYC side has lost two consecutive matches but you wouldn’t know it.
Watching on as the team congregated for recovery massage at Hunter TAFE on Monday afternoon, the players greet each other with plenty of gusto.
From high fives all round through to toothy smiles, the lads are happy.
Talk to star centre Sione Mata’utia and the positive vibes is all part of the team’s focus on creating a special bond within its ranks.
As Mata'utia explains, everyone is treated equally no matter their status or ability. They're a team. A unit.
It’s a major reason why the side went through the first nine rounds undefeated and it's also why Mata'utia has no doubts they'll rise above their recent defeats.
"I guess it’s just at that point where you’ve got to move on and forget about the loss," Mata'utia says frankly.
"We’ve just got to worry about what we need to work on, put it behind us and work harder during the week.
"That's the way we've been all season and that belief will continue.
"It’s mid-year at the moment, so we’ve still got a lot to go and the next three games hopefully we can get the wins."
The Knights remain on top of the Holden Cup ladder after 12 rounds, but face some stern tests in the coming weeks.
This starts at Hunter Stadium on Sunday when they take on the sixth-placed Wests Tigers, before big games against fellow top teams the Roosters and Parramatta.
Mata'utia says he'll be treating these matches against quality opposition as perfect preparation for those all-important games at the backend of the season.
"Most of those teams will be in the finals, so we want to test ourselves against the best," he says.
"We expect to make the finals, so it will be good to know what we are up against.
"We were going over there to win after coming off a loss against Manly.
"I guess our discipline with the ball wasn’t the best, so we sort of killed ourselves through the middle and out the back dropping balls and missing tackles.
"That sort of helped the Warriors get over the line but in saying that the Warriors did turn up and play their game and played it smart too."
Meanwhile, star halfback Jaelen Feeney is recovering well from his rib injury and hopes to return in the coming weeks.
Mata’utia believes Feeney's probable comeback will be a huge boost for the team.
"It’s good to have Jaelen back soon," he enthuses.
"He is our main organiser and he really takes control of the team.
"So when we get him back, I’m sure we’ll be going good."
Captain Danny Levi was equally disappointed with his team's loss to the Warriors but he remains confident they can restore order against the Tigers at home on Sunday from 11.45pm.
"It was a tough loss over in New Zealand," Levi says.
"We went over there with high hopes, but it was just a bit unfortunate that a few of our dropped balls and mistakes let them in the game.
"They (the Tigers) have been going really well lately.
"I’ve seen a few of their scores.
"It will be another big game for us, but I’m pretty sure the boys will be up for it.”
