The 26-year-old winger and his 20-year-old countryman, Simione Sawene, arrived in Newcastle two weeks ago to trial for contracts with the club's NSW Cup squad.

Votu, who captained Fiji at the World Sevens in Dubai in December, started on the left wing last night and played the first two quarters.

For more pictures of the game, click on the image below.

The powerfully built finisher, who was given a hero's farewell at Nadi Airport when he left Fiji for Newcastle a fortnight ago, scored the Knights' second try last night when he received a pass from centre Marvin Filipo and touched down out wide just before quarter-time.

Sawene, who has been based in Brisbane playing club rugby and represented Fiji at the IRB World Junior Championship in Italy in June last year, came off the bench to play in the front row.

Knights football operations manager Warren Smiles said the club's recruitment manager, Peter Mulholland, had been tracking the progress of both players for some time.

Assistant coach Rick Stone, who was in charge last night because Wayne Bennett is on All Stars duty on the Gold Coast, said Votu and Sawene were works in progress.

‘‘Votu has got a bit of a profile in Fiji, and he's a bloke Pete has seen playing sevens. He's got a bit of ability and he's got a bit to learn,’’ Stone said.

‘‘There were some really good things he did, and there were some things you probably cringe a little bit about, but overall his attitude and his work ethic were good.

‘‘He hasn't been here that long, and we're still working on his positional play and his understanding of the game and what he needs to do, but he's more than willing.’’