Matai's 2011 season started belatedly against Cronulla last weekend, the legacy of a seven-game suspension last September that also ruled him out of New Zealand's triumphant Four Nations campaign.
The 26-year-old is not exactly a reformed character - his club coach Des Hasler, teammates and Kiwis coach Steve Kearney all applaud his aggressive intent though any subsequent appearance before the NRL judiciary is likely to produce another lengthy ban.
Kearney's prime concern in round six has been preparing his struggling Parramatta side for tomorrow night's clash with the Bulldogs, but on Saturday he will also take a close interest in the New Zealand Warriors visit to Brookvale Oval.
Matai's form and temperament will be of particular interest as Kearney and co-selectors Tawerau Nikau, Tony Iro, Tony Kemp and convenor Howie Tamati put the final touches to their squad for the annual Anzac test on the Gold Coast on May 6.
With Jerome Ropati already out of contention through injury, Matai has an opportunity to add to his 12 test caps with compelling form against the Warriors, Penrith and North Queensland.
Shaun Kenny-Dowall has locked down one centre berth leaving Matai and Newcastle's Junior Sau contenders for the other position although Warriors captain Simon Mannering played in the midfield for two of the Kiwis proudest moments - the 2008 World Cup victory and last year's Four Nations defeat of Australia.
Mannering, who started his career in the backs before shifting to the second row, was only a stop-gap measure at centre three years ago in Brisbane because Matai had a neck injury; Sau was sidelined at the same venue last October.
Kearney today acknowledged Matai and Sau were leading contenders while Mannering, who is back in his original position at the Warriors due to Ropati's injury and Joel Moon's lack of form, might also be retained given the depth of talent available in the second row.
"Simon's played well in the centres for us before, and now for the Warriors," Kearney said.
"Junior can play there and Steve's just come back. It opens up an opportunity for them to make a stand."
History suggests selecting Matai could be a risk given his chequered disciplinary includes a send off against the Kangaroos in the 2007 Centenary test and a one-match ban before he was invalided out of the following year's World Cup.
But Kearney still rated the Sea Eagles' centurion's mean streak.
"That's his style of footy. He wouldn't be Steve Matai if he wasn't like that," Kearney said.
"If he's part of the Anzac week I get him for two or three training sessions so I'm not going to change that."
Matai's comeback in the last ditch 19-13 defeat of the Sharks passed without incident and he was aiming to control his abrasive tendencies again against the Warriors.
"I don't want to let the team down again so I'll definitely be playing hard, but within the guidelines."
Meanwhile, although Matai is no certainty to be named on May 1, Manly five-eighth Kieran Foran is guaranteed to partner Benji Marshall in the halves providing he stays fit.
Foran, who combined with the code's golden boot wearer for the first time in last year's Anzac test, has been impressive for the Sea Eagles alongside rookie halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.
"We've seen him develop enormously," Kearney said.
The 20-year-old was unfortunate to miss the Four Nations because of post-season shoulder surgery, the consequence of his willing defence -- a trait the national coach would like to see modified.
"Kieran's a victim of his own toughness to be honest.
"That's why he spent a lot of last year injured. He wants to tackle front rowers and run the ball into front rowers when that's not really his job."
