Rowan Anderson previews the Newcastle v Manly-Warringah game.
TEAM FORM GUIDE
Prepare for a massive clash here and maybe my game of the round. The Knights have started the season with three losses in their first four games. Even beyond this stat its been very close and the losses have only come by a handul of points. They must learn to be clinical and complete sets to receive wins. With the talent lining up for them they are a top eight side.
The Sea Eagles had a rocky start to the season but they are back on track, winning their last two games against the Warriors and the previously unbeaten Rabbitohs. They did lose Turbo in that match and if recent history is anything to go by they will struggle without him.
SQUAD NEWS
NEWCASTLE
Sione Mata’utia comes out of the side replaced in the second row by Mitchell Barnett. Connor Watson is struggling with a niggling knee injury and is no certainty to line up. If he’s declared fit expect him to come off the bench. James Gavet (sternum) to return after missing last week.
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Hymel Hunt 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Mason Lino 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Danny Levi 10. James Gavet 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Sione Mata’utia 13. Tim Glasby. Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Aidan Guerra 16. Daniel Saifiti 17. Mitchell Barnett. Reserves: 18. Josh King 19. Connor Watson 20. Herman Ese’ese 21. Tautau Moga
MANLY-WARRINGAH
No changes expected. Daly Cherry-Evans will play his 200th NRL game.
1. Brendan Elliott 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Moses Suli 4. Brad Parker 5. Reuben Garrick 6. Kane Elgey 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Martin Taupau 11. Joel Thompson 12. Curtis Sironen 13. Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: 14. Manase Fainu 15. Jack Gosiewski 16. Corey Waddell 17. Toafofoa Sipley. Reserves: 18. Trent Hodkinson 19. Lachlan Croker 20. Kelepi Tanginoa 21. Taniela Paseka
HEAD TO HEAD
For the Knights to win: They need to build pressure with strong running and quick play-the-balls to give Pearce and Kalyn Ponga more space to create scoring chances. Pearce is due for a big game.
For the Sea Eagles to win: Without Turbo they will be counting on strong leadership from Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic
KEY BATTLE
Knights Stat Attack: Klemmer is first in the NRL in post contact metres (294), second in runs (81) and fourth in run metres (769).
Sea Eagles Stat Attack: Against the Bunnies Jake Trbojevic rolled his sleeves up with 45 tackles and Marty Taupau ran for 206m – both team-highs.
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
Date: Saturday 13th April
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
Kick-off: 5:30PM
WHO WILL WIN?
This will be close but I see Pearce having a boom game and showing he still has some in the tank. DCE showing he deserves to hold that Maroons jersey and he will be continuing to lead from the front.
Prediction: Knights 1-3 points.
