2:05pm: We are underway. Once they get a football that is. Okay, there we go, the Knights have first use of the ball
2:03pm: In a late change to the Knights, Kurt Gidley will start the game as halfback despite being named in the No.9 jersey. Tyrone Roberts goes back to the bench.
The Knights will have a strong wind at their back in the first half.
1:55pm: Before we get onto today's match in Newcastle, it is full-time in New Zealand. The Warriors have scored a 25-24 win over Gold Coast. It's just what the Warriors needed after their slow start to the season. The Titians scored a converted try in the final minute to make the final score look closer than the match actually was.
1:48pm: Hunter Stadium, Newcastle, Sunday 2pm (AEST)
Last meeting: Newcastle 26 Cronulla 4 at Hunter Stadium, Round 23, 2012
Head-to-head: Knights 24 Sharks 15 Draw 1
Referees: Gavin Badger, Alan Shortall
TV: FoxSports 1 (live)
TAB Sportsbet: Knights $1.30 Sharks $3.50
FootyTab: Sharks +8.5
Phil Mitchell writes: After finally scoring their first away win of the season last week on the Gold Coast, Newcastle return to Hunter Stadium, where they are unbeaten in 2013. The Sharks know only too well what a formidable opponent the Knights are at home – they have won only one of their past six matches at this venue.
Cronulla have been winless for the past four rounds but they could so easily have broken their losing streak against Canterbury last Sunday had they capitalised on a few more chances. One Shark who continues to impress despite his team’s indifferent form is young prop Andrew Fifita. His battle up front with Willie Mason, the man he may have to beat for a Blues bench spot, will be a highlight.
Phil's tip: Sharks by 2.
AAP writes: The Knights victory over an injury-hit Titans side last round led coach Wayne Bennett to warn the NRL premiership is more than a four-horse race. The Knights should be able to dispose of a struggling Sharks at home if they want to earn more title kudos. Pre-season premiership contenders Cronulla have been hit hard by the ASADA investigation, but they could have beaten the Bulldogs last week if they didn't butcher a number of tryscoring opportunities.
The Knights are unbeaten in four starts at home this year but their effort against Penrith before the representative break was rather unimpressive. A big crowd in this rugby league stronghold should stir on the home side here.
Key: Todd Carney. Reminded NSW selectors of what he is capable of in his return from a foot injury last weekend. Carney could engineer an end to the Sharks' four-match losing streak.
KNIGHTS: Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Timana Tahu, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden, Kurt Gidley (capt), Willie Mason, Robbie Rochow, Alex McKinnon, Chris Houston. Interchange: Travis Waddell, Neville Costigan, Adam Cuthbertson, David Fa'alogo, Korbin Sims (one to be omitted).
SHARKS: Michael Gordon, Nathan Stapleton, Ben Pomeroy, Jonathan Wright, Beau Ryan, Todd Carney, Jeff Robson, Andrew Fifita, John Morris, Ben Ross, Luke Lewis, Wade Graham, Paul Gallen (capt). Interchange: Chris Heighington, Jayson Bukuya, Isaac De Gois, Anthony Tupou, Sam Tagataese (one to be omitted).
No comments:
Post a Comment