Round 12: Newcastle Knights v NZ Warriors @ EAS Stadium

From nrl site
Knights V Warriors Preview

Big League

EnergyAustralia Stadium
Saturday 7.30pm

HERE is a match of vital importance to both sides if they are to be serious contenders in 2008.
The Knights sit on the periphery of the top eight in ninth place on the NRL ladder; if they lose this match at home it could just be the one they’ll be groaning about come season’s end.

They come up against a Warriors’ side who are yet to win in Australia this season and who haven’t been in great form anyway, suggesting it’s two points the Novocastrians would be banking on.

And it’s two points they’ll need because a loss could potentially see them slip four – or even five – places down the ladder depending on other results.

The side welcomes back Danny Buderus to the team that fell to the Wests Tigers before the bye, which shifts Manly-bound Chris Bailey to the bench and Scott Dureau to halfback.

Danny Wicks has been relegated to the bench, with Steve Simpson named to start at prop. Mitchell Sargent has also been added to the bench that currently has five men.
For the Warriors, this match is getting close to desperation times. While only two competition points shy of the Knights, their for and against has them languishing in 14th position.

The time has come for them to toughen up on Australian shores if they are to mount any sort of challenge at the top eight.

Michael Crockett comes onto the wing for Patrick Ah Van, Nathan Fien moves from hooker to five-eighth, pushing Jerome Ropati to centre and Simon Mannering to the second row.

Logan Swann moves back to the bench, as does Epalahame Luaki, allowing young tyro Sonny Fai to start. Ian Henderson takes the vacant hooking role and Ben Matulino becomes the 18th man.

Watch out Knights:
The Warriors are running second in the NRL in tries from within 10 metres of the goal line. With 18 tries, they are only behind the Titans in grabbing four-pointers from close range. Size, strength, offloads and angled runs make the Kiwi side very difficult to stop when the opposition has less time to get up in their face. The Knights will need to ensure they keep the Warriors away from their line in order to stay on top.


Watch out Warriors:
The Knights are gaining 129 metres per game more across the ground compared to the Warriors, as well as an extra 88 metres in long kicks. If they dominate both in this match it will be very difficult for the Warriors to gain the ascendancy. The trick to the Knights’ metre gains is the fact they share the workload evenly so if one player is slightly off his game the team doesn’t suffer. On the other side of the coin Warriors’ captain Steve Price is their main metre man, meaning if they can control him they go a long way to controlling the Warriors.

Where it will be won:
Second-phase football. Both these teams like to throw the football around and are big off-loaders. The Knights average 13.1 offloads a game, the Warriors 13 so it will be the side that can maximise the benefits of second-phase play and also shut down the opposition’s offloads that will win this match. For the Knights, Zeb Taia, Jesse Royal and Chris Houston are the most prolific off-loaders; while for the Warriors the focus will be on Simon Mannering and Grant Rovelli. Worryingly for the visitors their best off-loader Michael Witt is again out of the side.

The History:
Played 21; Knights 13, Warriors 7, drawn 1. The Warriors have won four of the past five against the Knights, including their fixture earlier this year. At EnergyAustralia Stadium the Knights hold a 6-3 advantage over the Kiwi-based side.

Conclusion:
Earlier this season the Warriors held on for a 26-20 victory in Auckland but the scales tip to the Knights in Newcastle. The locals will be buoyed by the news their stadium is set for further upgrades and will be out in force to cheer the side to a victory and possible top-eight position. The Warriors still have the cattle to win this game but for some reason they have just been deplorable away from home this year. That record makes it very difficult to back them here.

Match officials: Referee – Jared Maxwell; Sideline Officials – Daniel Eastwood & Adam Devcich; Video ref – Russell Smith.
Televised: FoxSports 2 – Delayed 9.20pm.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.
Click to expand...
 
knights have an extra 88 m in long kicks over the warriors

I can see the knights winning the game from our kicking game alone..we should get better field position

the warriors halves are also weaker now that witt is out

I can't see us losing this one

I'm very confident and tipping them 13+
 
Not to mention our extra metres with the ball in hand.

That is where we have been awesome this year, although it seems to have fallen off a bit in recent weeks (I haven't looked at the stats though).
 
I don't know when he's due back

but he injured himself taking a shot at goal....... which has to be one of the worst i've seen :lol:
 
Oh i saw that :lol: Didnt know thats how he did it though. For a guy thats so good at goal kicking you wouldnt of picked him to get injured that way. Hope he's back soon, just gad it isnt this week :)
 
Nah, it's not that, it's a shoulder or something. He was due back last week but didn't make it, so maybe he will be a late inclusion this week. They really need him back!
 
jamesgould said:
Nah, it's not that, it's a shoulder or something. He was due back last week but didn't make it, so maybe he will be a late inclusion this week. They really need him back!
Click to expand...

Shoulder? I'm sure I read somewhere it was a hip/waist injury.
 
Newcastle Knights v New Zealand Warriors
Saturday 31st May, 7.30pm
EnergyAustralia Stadium
Referee: Jared Maxwell

HEAD TO HEAD
Played 21, Knights 13, Warriors 7.

FORM GUIDE
Knights: WWLLLWBWLLB
Warriors: LWLWWLLWBLL

Two teams coming off back-to-back losses, one welcoming back an inspiration leader and the other still without their best attacking weapon.

Steve Price is back on deck against the Knights, and his grunt up front will be much appreciated after the Warriors were outclassed in the last two weeks at the hands of Penrith and the Roosters.

The Kiwis have lost Michael Witt for a month with a hip flexor injury after a bizarre goal-kicking accident against the Raiders and are still without Manu Vatuvei, while out-of-form prop Ruben Wiki will make a comeback from injury with the Auckland Vulcans this weekend.

After last week’s bye Newcastle are still missing two key players, Blues prop Ben Cross and star fullback Kurt Gidley. Livewire Gidley is now aiming for a comeback against the Bulldogs in round 13 after ruling himself out of the Warriors clash and Origin II, while Cross is out with a broken thumb until round 16.

The Warriors are terrible away from home – they are yet to win on the road in 2008 – but they do have the wood on the Knights in recent times, winning four of the last five encounters between the sides.

THE BURNING QUESTION
Will skipper Steve Price inspire the wobbly Warriors to their first away win of 2008?

KEY MATCH UPS
Jarrod Mullen v Nathan Fien
Mullen has been in terrific form for Newcastle in the past few weeks and has taken over Gidley’s role of providing much of the Knights’ spark in attack. His kicking game has been complimented by a few dazzling runs – most notably the long-range try against the Titans at the start of the month – and he will split the playmaking duties with schoolboy halves partner Scott Dureau this week. Mullen has switched to five-eighth this week with Dureau starting at halfback, while pivot Chris Bailey is somewhat unluckily bumped to the interchange despite scoring a hat-trick at last start against Manly.

Fien has also been moved to pivot this week, but his switch from hooker into the halves has come out of necessity after Witt’s injury. The pressure will be on for the regular dummy half to adapt to a more creative role in Witt’s absence, particularly with the Knights fielding three talented halves in their squad.

Steve Simpson v Steve Price
Simpson is now the elder statesman of a young Knights pack, one which has been punching above its weight this season. The damaging running game that saw him earn a State of Origin call-up in years past may have faded, but the tireless work rate and rock-solid defence remains. This will be just the third game of the season for Simpson, and the first he has started since picking up a knee-injury round 1. Nonetheless, the workhorse will be relied on to lay down the platform for his young halves from prop against the Warriors big forwards this weekend.

Another experienced prop coming recovering from injury is Price, who the Warriors will be hoping can return to form immediately. The Queenslander gives the New Zealand pack real steel up front and will be out to ensure the Kiwis can dominate opponents away from home – not just at their Mt Smart Stadium fortress.

COACHES CORNER
Teams have generally struggled coming off the bye this season, but after Newcastle’s first week off this year they managed to pip the then-league leading Titans 13-12 at home. Brian Smith will be keen for his team to put in a similar showing this time around, and particularly for Mullen to continue his top form.

Getting Danny Buderus back from Origin is a big boost for the hosts, and his combination with Mullen and Dureau will be crucial in the Knights’ ability to create chances against the Warriors.

The visitors mean while will be sure to test out part-time fullback Wes Naiqama under the high ball, with Grant Rovelli now responsible for the bulk of the kicking duties in Witt’s absence. More importantly the Warriors will need to keep errors to a minimum and win the forward battle up front, with Price’s return looming as a huge plus.

PUNTERS GUIDE
Head to head: Knights $1.50, Warriors $2.50
The Warriors are capable of big things, but rarely away from home. Gidley remains a crucial loss for Newcastle but with Buderus back on deck and their halves firing the Knights should be good enough to get the points at home. Take Newcastle 1-12, and have a look at Knights wingers James McManus and Cooper Vuna in the first try-scorer betting.

CASUALTY WARD
Knights: Kurt Gidley – face (indefinite), Ben Cross – thumb (Rd 16), Dan Tolar – hamstring (Rd 13)
Warriors: Michael Witt – hip flexor (indefinite), Manu Vatuvei – leg (Rd 14), Wade McKinnon – knee (season), Malo Solomona – leg (indefinite).

BAD BOYS
Knights: Matt Hilder (Rd 13)
Warriors: -

TEAM LISTS
Knights: Wes Naiqama, James Mcmanus, Keith Lulia, Adam Macdougall, Cooper Vuna, Jarrod Mullen, Scott Dureau, Jesse Royal, Danny Buderus (Capt), Steve Simpson, Chris Houston, Cory Paterson, Zeb Taia. Interchange: Chris Bailey, Cameron Ciraldo, Danny Wicks, Richard Fa'aoso, Mitchell Sargent.

Warriors: Lance Hohaia, Michael Crockett, Brent Tate, Jerome Ropati, Aidan Kirk, Nathan Fien, Grant Rovelli, Sam Rapira, Ian Henderson, Steve Price (Capt), Simon Mannering, Sonny Fai, Micheal Luck. Interchange: Evarn Tuimavave, Epalahame Lauaki, Logan Swann, Russell Packer, Ben Matulino (One To Be Omitted)
Click to expand...
 
Last nite Fatty said when they were doing their tips that Gidley is a chance probably bull sh*t though
 
My friend saw them training on wednesday and apparently he was getting smashed by a trainer with one of those padded things they warm up with, so maybe just maybe???
 
Surely they wouldn't risk it. I'm 99% sure he wouldn't play... next week! His better off resting.

Knights must continue to build

Coach Brian Smith says Newcastle have taken great pride in being one of the NRL's most improved sides this season but must continue to build momentum against the travel-shy New Zealand Warriors on Saturday.

The Knights had last week off but that doesn't mean Smith has forgotten about his team's first real drop in intensity in 2008 in the 38-26 round ten loss to the Wests Tigers.

Tigers coach Tim Sheens publicly lashed his men post-match in a potential turning point for the club and Smith will be hoping for a similar turnaround by his men at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

"Most of our focus has been about our disappointing performance against Wests Tigers and we do not want that to continue," Smith said.

"We want to address it straight away and bounce back, show our fans and each other that we recover quickly after a disappointment."

Six days before that loss to the Tigers, the Knights had shown some serious resilience by taking it to premiers Melbourne at the Olympic Park graveyard, eventually going down 18-4.

Smith said the Warriors, who this season have travelled as well as ice cream on a hot day, had also taught him something about turning a season around.

"They had a real rough patch last year, I think they lost seven in a row at one stage and still made the playoffs," Smith said.

"I think there's a message there, not just for them but for all of us.

"It's kind of how you strike back when you've had a rough patch and our rough patch was last game against the Wests Tigers and we want to nip that in the bud on Saturday night with a big performance."

The Knights have the chance to put their season quickly back on track, even without injured stars Kurt Gidley (face) and Ben Cross (thumb).

"We're in a pretty good place right now I think for a team that set its stall out to become the improver of the season," Smith said.

"I think we've got a great opportunity to build on the base from the early part of our season, but we do need to find improvement and we'll need to find it against the Warriors."

Smith has opted for a halves pairing of Scott Dureau and Jarrod Mullen with Manly signing Chris Bailey to be used from the bench as a ball-playing lock.

"That's been a sort of season goal for us but we've not been able to get there for one reason or another with injuries and suspension and also rep selections," Smith said.

"But when Bails comes into the game at lock we've got three potential ball-playing first and second receivers and that's going to add a lot to our attack.

"It may be not there on the first night but it's something we want to build towards as the season goes on."

The Warriors will be without five-eighth Michael Witt, who has a hip injury and prop Ruben Wiki, who has been banished to park football by coach Ivan Cleary.

© 2008 AAP
Click to expand...
 
sportal preview

Preview: Knights v Warriors

Dean Wedlake

VENUE & TIME: EnergyAustralia Stadium, Saturday 31 May, 7:30pm AEST.
COVERAGE: Sky Sport 2, 9:30pm.
LAST TIME: Warriors 26 - Knights 20, at Mt Smart Stadium, Round 4, 2008.

WALKING WOUNDED:
It was laughed off at the time, but Michael Witt's botched goal-kick against the Raiders and subsequent hip flexor injury has now robbed the Warriors of his services for a month. Wing Manu Vatuvei's leg is improving but he is still a couple of weeks away. The Knights are without Kurt Gidley after undergoing surgery on a fractured cheekbone. While it is their only loss, it's a monumental one.

FORM:
The Warriors lost their unbeaten home record this season in last Sunday's 12-38 loss to the Roosters. In all fairness, the Warriors were up against a rampant side that is now on top of the NRL table, but it doesn't make the overall picture any rosier for the 14th-placed New Zealanders. The Knights come off a bye in Round 11 - something that teams have found a struggle to come back from and regain winning form. Their last match was one they will want to forget, losing 26-38 at home to the Tigers where opposition coach Tim Sheens delivered a paint-stripping spray to his players despite his side winning. Imagine what Knights boss Brian Smith must've been like.

WHO'S HOT:
He's not hot yet, but on past form it can't be too long until Warriors captain Steve Price gets back to his inspirational best. The lungs were burning last week in his return after 10 weeks off with a hamstring injury and he'll be better for the run this Saturday. Usually you could bank on Gidley as a stand-out for the Knights, but in his absence the halves have stepped up to the plate. Chris Bailey scored three tries in a losing effort to the Tigers and was rewarded with a contract at the Sea Eagles, while Jarrod Mullen's kicking and running game keeps most teams on their toes.

WE THINK:
This is going to be a close one. The Warriors' 0-5 away record shouldn't be ignored but the Knights lost in their last start in Newcastle so it can be done. Nathan Fien's move to five-eighth will be interesting, as will Wes Naigama's tendency under the high ball if he is played at fullback. There are two big, evenly-matched forward packs here, and two defensive units that will feel they have been too easily breached this year. Almost too close to call - but golden-point draws happen once in a blue moon.

Warriors by 4 points.

TEAMS:

Knights:
1. Wes Naiqama, 2. James McManus, 3. Keith Lulia, 4. Adam MacDougall, 5. Cooper Vuna, 6. Jarrod Mullen, 7. Scott Dureau, 8. Jesse Royal, 9. Danny Buderus, 10. Steve Simpson, 11. Chris Houston, 12. Cory Paterson, 13. Zeb Taia
Interchange: 14. Chris Bailey, 15. Cameron Ciraldo, 16. Danny Wicks, 17. Richard Fa'aoso, 18. Mitchell Sargent (1 to be omitted)

Warriors:
1. Lance Hohaia, 2. Michael Crockett, 3. Brent Tate, 4. Jerome Ropati, 5. Aidan Kirk, 6. Nathan Fien, 7. Grant Rovelli, 8. Sam Rapira, 9. Ian Henderson, 10. Steve Price (c), 11. Simon Mannering, 12. Sonny Fai, 13. Micheal Luck (c)
Interchange: 15. Evarn Tuimavave, 16. Epalahame Lauaki, 17. Logan Swann, 18. Russell Packer
Click to expand...
 
Knights V Warriors

Just a quick message, Good luck for tonights game, even thou the warriors need all the luck they can get. Made it harder with Lance Hohaia being said to be ruled out for tonight.

Can not wait to kick off.

Anyone up for a friendly beat? The winner of the game has to win the opposing team's logo as their new avater untill next week.
 
Grr, 7:30 can't come fast enough!! I think this is the first time I've tipped us to actually win in a while. :icon_redface:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top