Newcastle Knights embarrassed by thumping at hands of Canberra Raiders - The Daily Telegraph

Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett has said that the enthusiasm of the Raiders was the key as they scored 44 unanswered points against his floundering Knights outfit to condemn them to a 44-14 defeat.

Darius Boyd reacts after Sandor Earl crosses for the Raiders. Source: Getty Images

Reformed Canberra star and NSW Origin hopeful Blake Ferguson has inspired his side to a crushing 44-14 win over the Knights at Canberra Stadium.

IT will probably go down as one of Newcastle's worst performances under Wayne Bennett.

Asked last night where the Knights were at in 2013 compared to where he wants to take them, Bennett offered little: "Today is not a good day to make that assessment."

Skipper Kurt Gidley had no doubts about how he rated the match that will also go on record as his 200th NRL game.

"Embarrassing I suppose is the word," Gidley said.

"We just shot ourselves in the foot in the backend of the first half and it's fair to say the floodgates opened.

"We didn't handle it."

And Gidley had every right to be filthy given how the Knights got off to such a great start and then crumbled to let in 44 unanswered points.

They scored the first two tries - Canberra scored the next nine.

Blake Ferguson finished with a hat-trick and so did Sandor Earl as the Raiders turned Newcastle's left-edge defence into a turnstile.

In fairness to the Knights they were without Jarrod Mullen - and Danny Buderus, Beau Scott and Jeremy Smith are all still out.

Those four players completely change the dynamics of the team but, even so, yesterday's effort was terrible.

Adding to Newcastle woes, Timana Tahu left the field early in the second half with a hamstring injury.

The Knights completed their opening nine sets without an error and on the back of that charged to a 14-0 lead after as many minutes.

Tahu laid on the first try for James McManus and Tyrone Roberts threw a lovely ball for Robbie Rochow's second try.

At that point the Knights looked to be heading for a easy day out.

But then three back-to-back errors turned the game on its head.

A simple knock on from Dane Gagai followed with a penalty and then Akuila Uate turned over possession.

Minutes later Earl was over and the Raiders raced in two more tries before halftime and in the second half it was all one way.

And the team that went into round nine with the third best defensive record in the comp went home on the wrong end of a humiliating 44-14 hiding.

Asked if yesterday's effort was acceptable, Bennett said: "Obviously not but you've got to live with it."

It doesn't get any easier for Newcastle who take on the rejuvenated Bulldogs next Sunday at home.

Bennett was asked for his thoughts on the Raiders, who have now claimed the scalps of the Storm and the Knights in consecutive weeks.

He said: "If they're inconsistent I'm not sure where you put us then.

"The performance says it all, they completely outplayed us."