Andrew Pelechaty previews the opening game of round 20: Newcastle hosting the Wests Tigers.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Newcastle Knights Vs Wests Tigers
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Date: Friday July 14, 8:00pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott 14. Kurt Mann 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Brodie Jones 21. Hymel Hunt 22. Adam Clune
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Asu Kepaoa 3. Starford To’a 4. Tommy Talau 5. Junior Tupou 6. Will Smith 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Shawn Blore 16. Alex Twal 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Daine Laurie 19. Aistasi James 20. Tallyn Da Silva 21. Justin Matamua 22. Brent Naden
Referee: Peter Gough
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
With Origin concluding on Wednesday night, it’s time for the run-up to the finals.
While this prime time Friday night clash may not sound appealing, both sides have plenty to play for.
Newcastle – still a finals chance – will be fresh off the bye and have minimal Origin representation (Bradman Best and Jacob Saifiti), while the Tigers are coming off an improved display against Cronulla-Sutherland.
The Knights (after a record 66-0 win over Canterbury-Bankstown) are three points behind the eighth-placed South Sydney, and play four top-eight teams in the run home – Melbourne, Canberra, Souths, Cronulla-Sutherland.
Desperate to avoid another spoon, will the Tigers already have one eye on their Round 21 “wooden spoon grand final” against St George-Illawarra? If they do want to avoid another spoon, a win in Newcastle will help.
The Knights and Tigers played in Round 2, with Newcastle winning 14-12 (though a late Stefano Utoikamanu try made it closer than expected).
Only one change for Newcastle, with Dane Gagai returning from a foot injury, with Enari Tuala dropping out. Best and Jacob Saifiti are named to back up, but are unlikely to play 48 hours after Origin III.
Hooker Api Koroisau returns for the Tigers, while Alex Twal returns from suspension. Can Api drag the Tigers to an upset win?
Newcastle should not only win here, but will fancy building on their +26 point differential.
LAST TEN MATCHES
Knights 5, Tigers 5
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Knights by 20 points.
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