Having watched the frustration build while Willie Mason’s bid for an NRL recall stalled, former teammate Reni Maitua is expecting the prop to make the most of his lifeline at Newcastle.

Maitua knows Mason more intimately than most – not only did he share a premiership with him at Canterbury in 2004 but the much-maligned forward has been a guest in Maitua’s house over the past few weeks.

Maitua, who himself was in NRL exile during a two-year drug ban, says his good friend turned housemate will prove plenty wrong this season.

“Willie was staying with me in the lead-up until finding a club,” Maitua said ahead of Mason’s Knights debut on Monday.

“I knew how frustrating it was for him, but I saw how hard he had been training – twice a day everyday.

“I think he’s going to be a massive asset to the Knights. Anyone that’s six (foot) five and runs 40 (metres) under five seconds is going to be good for your side.

“I’m really happy for Willie and I think going to Newcastle, going home, being around his family and having Wayne Bennett there – (Newcastle) is going to be the best club for him.”

Maitua suggested the false dawns that preceded Bennett’s call had taken their toll on the 32-year-old.

“He was very frustrated, he was absolutely frustrated. Especially (as) he had a bit of false hope with going to the Tigers,” he said.

“He got really excited and then that fell through.

“I can understand why clubs and fans might have question marks about him but I don’t think he’s going to disappoint anyone.”

It was rumoured Parramatta were one of the clubs chasing Mason, but Maitua said he had deliberately steered clear of any discussions with his club’s management.

“I stayed away from that side of things. It’s not really my business.

“As a friend I would have loved to have him at the club, but it’s not something I wanted to get involved in.

“I’m just really happy he’s found a club.”