“Two balls on the field” controversy cost Tigers
Any other controversy over the weekend will go nowhere near an incident seven minutes into the second half, somethingย we’ll unlikely ever see again.
Trent Hodkinson put up a bomb towards Jordan Rankin. ย A second ball was stationary at around the twenty metre line. ย Korbin Sims in chasing through has kicked the stationary ball in the direction of Rankin at the same time he attempted to catch Hodkinson’s kick. ย The Tiger dropping the ball and his side forced to line drop-out despite howls of protests.
In the next set Nathan Ross crosses to give Newcastle a match-winning 18-10 lead.
The gamesmanship from Sims will be a talking point among the referee community during the week. ย Did Gavin Badger get it right?
I personally think it should have been a changeover (last tackle) to the Tigers at the point Hodkinson kicked the ball with the play effectively called dead or at least the Knights scrum feed as they held territorial advantage at the time.
If only the Tigers were coached by Geoff Toovey – there would have to be an investigation!
Nervous Knights hold on to close out the game
Newcastle held a slender two point lead going into the final ten minutes and to be fair, they had the better of opportunities in the final stages to land the killer blow.
A back line move ended with Nathan Ross being thrown into touch with eight minutes remaining. ย Korbin Sims was judged to have knocked the ball forward by the NRL Bunker in denying Akuila Uate a try, a tough call at the time.
These missed opportunities gave the Tigers a sniff of hope however the visitors couldn’t come up with points on a frustrating afternoon for Jason Taylor’s men.
The win is one step forward, ending a seven game win-less streak and sending Sydney Roosters back to the foot of the ladder.
Teddy continues fine form
What a season so far for James Tedesco!
Tedesco should be the leading try scorer in the premiership at the end of this round with eight tries in six matches.
He opened the Tigers scoring running onto a Luke Brooks pass and was put away by Robbie Farah for a long run ten minutes later in which the Tigers dropped the ball on the next tackle.
Tedesco’s stats were impressive with one try, a further try assist and two line breaks.
If only the spine around him in Brooks, Moses and Farah were more consistent, the Tigers could be further up the ladder than eleventh spot.
Trent Hodkinson best buy of 2016?
There will be healthy debate about what transferred player has made the best impact.
James Roberts is starting to find his feet. ย Kieran Foran makes the shortlist along with Sharks James Maloney.
For me right now, it’s Trent Hodkinson.
Hodkinson is the hero behind yesterday’s win. ย Ultimately it was his three from three with the boot that decided the game.
You can tell the difference of the Knights 2015 vs 2016. ย There’s better direction, strategy in the kicking game. ย Jarrod Mullen has benefited from this with an improved season.
Hodkinson will win many more matches for the Hunter club as he repays every penny spent on him to move from the Dogs.
From the sheds
Wests Tigers Sausao Sue was forced from the field early after copping a head knock from a flying Sam Mataora as he tried to tackle another opposing player. ย Sue returned but still didn’t feel well after being cleared under the concussion test. ย He did not return for the second half.
Jeremy Smith also left the field under the concussion test late in the game.
Further concern for Wests Tigers fans when Aaron Woods left the field with nineteen minutes to play. Woods in the hands of the trainer limped from the field.
Curtis Sironen was placed on report in the 50th minute for a lifting tackle on Knights replacement Jacob Saifiti.
Result
Newcastle Knights 18
Tries: Akuilia Uate, Korbin Sims, Nathan Ross
Goals: Trent Hodkinson 3
Wests Tigers 16
Tries: Jordan Rankin 2,ย James Tedesco
Goal: Jordan Rankin
