Newcastle junior and former Australian half Brett Kimmorley has slammed the Newcastle Knights and questioned whether veteran Kurt Gidley is still in the Knights’ best thirteen.

It comes on the back of Newcastle coach Rick Stone playing Australian flyer Sione Mata’utia in the forwards in their loss to the North Queensland Cowboys.

“Kurt Gidley also had a bad game as captain of that side and I think it’s time the Knights look at how they’re using Sione Mata’utia” Kimmortley told Fox Sports.

“Why do you have him playing in the back-row for 20 minutes? He’s a star fullback who played for Australia last year.

“Where’s that all heading to? I think they need to settle on him as a fullback and find another position for Kurt Gidley, if he’s still in their best 13.”