FORMER St Helens hard man Vila Matautia has been given the chance to help Leigh Centurions secure a place in Super League before finally hanging up his boots writes Ian Laybourn, PA Sport HERE

The 33-year-old Samoan has missed the Centurions' last two matches because of the latest of a series of suspensions which have marked his colourful and often controversial career in England.

And the hard-hitting forward promises to be the centre of attention in Saturday's Northern Ford Premiership Grand Final showdown with Huddersfield at the Halton Stadium, Widnes, after being handed a recall.

"Vila was brought into club for one reason and that was to take us to Super League, no other reason," said coach Paul Terzis.

"This is probably his last game of rugby league so I'm quite sure you will see a big game from Vila Matautia."

Matautia, who represented the United States in qualifying games for the 2000 World Cup, began his English career with Doncaster 13 years ago and went on to make 144 appearances in eight seasons for St Helens.

He was a member of Saints' Challenge Cup winning teams of 1996 and 1997 and played in their victorious Super League Grand Final win over Bradford in 1999 before being released 12 months ago.

Terzis added: "He's a committed rugby league player and he's been outstanding for us this year. His guidance with our forwards and the extra work he's done with a lot of our players has been outstanding this year.

"That will be advantageous for those players for the rest of their careers as well as this moment in time."