ROUND 16: Knights v Broncos @ Suncorp Stadium

NRL Late Mail ahead of round 16: Team changes and gossip


  • TOM SANGSTER
  • THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
  • JUNE 25, 2015 12:58PM

BRONCOS v KNIGHTS - 7.45pm Friday at Suncorp Stadium

Broncos:

Centre Jack Reed is out after failing to recover from the Broncos’ remarkable defensive effort in their last round 14-12 win in Melbourne.

Jordan Kahu moves from the wing to centre, Corey Oates is promoted from the bench onto the flank and Dale Copley comes onto the interchange.

Francis Molo took part in Brisbane’s final training run on Thursday morning, five days after his tragic tackle on James Ackerman in last Saturday’s Norths-Sunshine Coast clash at Bishop Park.

Molo has not been named and is unlikely to play as he undergoes counselling.

Knights:

Newcastle will be boosted by the return of Jarrod Mullen (toe).

He got through training on Thursday and has travelled with the side, with Carlos Tuimavave dropping to 18th man.

Kade Snowden (suspension, round 18) and Chris Houston (finger, round 20) missed selection, while Jeremy Smith (sternum, round 18) will be saved until after the bye.



http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...anges-and-gossip/story-fnp0lyn3-1227414190217
 
Capture.JPG

http://www.sportal.com.au/league/nr...--leaks---round-11/15pbjie7v9rh51nr0uoq7xf78s
 
Knights finalise Round 16 preparation

Thu 25th June, 11:54AM

The Newcastle Knights finalised Round 16 preparations at Wests Mayfield on Thursday morning before boarding a flight to Brisbane.
In good news, Jarrod Mullen completed the session and is confirmed to travel with the team.

“He got through, which is obviously great,” coach Rick Stone said.

“We will take 18 to Brisbane and now just have to see how Jarrod pulls up in the morning.”

On the flip side, Jeremy Smith (sternum) is ruled out after failing to get through the session, as is Tyrone Roberts (ankle).

“Jez was really close, but he needs another week so we’ll get him back after the bye,” Stone added.

David Fa’alogo is also set to return from a hamstring injury following the bye.

The 17-man team named on Tuesday is traveling to Brisbane with the addition of Mullen for Friday night's match at Suncorp Stadium against the Broncos.


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2015/06/25/knights_finalise_rou.html




 
Team effort key to Broncos encounter

Thu 25th June, 01:00PM

An entire team effort will be the determining factor in the Newcastle Knights’ Friday night match against the Brisbane Broncos according to winger Akuila Uate.

“We definitely need to play as a team, turn up and play together,” he said.

While he acknowledges the occasion at Suncorp Stadium will be a test, Uate said the team is taking an optimistic and united approach to the challenge.

“We have been training really well this week,” he said.

“I just want to get up there and play footy, that’s what I’m here for.

“It will be good to get a win up there and I hope we turn up and play as a team."

Uate has had plenty of off-field excitement in the build up to Friday’s match.

“It’s been a big week for me and I have had a couple of days off as I’ve had my third (child), my son,” he revealed.

“I’m feeling good coming to training today.”

The 27-year-old and partner Sam welcomed Kingston Uate to the world on Monday.

“I’m excited because he wasn’t due until next week and I was hoping he would come early before I went to Brisbane,” he said.

The Fijian born Knight now feels settled and relieved he was able to be with his partner Sam for the birth.

“I was a bit worried that if I was in Brisbane and I had my son, I would have been a little bit filthy,” he said.

“The family is happy and I am happy.”


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2015/06/25/team_effort_key_to_b.html




 
Tim said:
If playing against their former coach (who basically walked out on them) can't motivate these guys then things are much worse than we all think.
Click to expand...

Bennett's former clubs had a great record against him, ofcourse it was us to break the trend & lose & probably going to lose again.

- - - Updated - - -

Jekk said:
Great! He's on my most disliked players list. Not sure why but just never been able to stand him :fist: I especially hate seeing his happy face when he scores against us
Click to expand...

Is it the ranganess :rolleyes:

Nah, I get that too, a bit overenthusiastic & cocky on the field. Seems like a decent guy in interviews though.
 
So with Mullen fit we have to decide to drop either Mamo (Gidley to fullback) or Carlos (Gidley remains at halfback).
I suppose I know what everyone else on the forum will say, but I think it's a 50/50 call, and i'll be happy to see either one of them get another game.
 
Tyrone Roberts dumped to NSW Cup, future at Newcastle uncertain


  • Barry Toohey
  • The Daily Telegraph
  • June 25, 2015 4:29PM

OUT of favour Newcastle halfback Tyrone Roberts has been dumped to the NSW Cup with his future at the club under a cloud because of the Knights’ pursuit of Bulldogs and NSW playmaker Trent Hodkinson for next season.

Roberts has recovered from an ankle ligament injury that has seen him sidelined for the past two weeks but failed to win back his top grade spot against the Broncos on Friday night.

While the club indicated he had been “ruled out” alongside backrower Jeremy Smith with his ankle injury, The Daily Telegraph understands he is almost certain to line up against Wentworthville in the Knights’ NSW Cup clash on Sunday in Sydney.

It now becomes a real test of character for Roberts, with the final year of his contract at the Knights next season also believed to be in jeopardy with Hodkinson on the club’s recruitment target list.

It is understood if Hodkinson agreed to join the Knights, the club would be forced to try and off-load Roberts to a rival to accommodate the Blues playmaker under the salary cap.

There was good news for the Knights on Thursday with Jarrod Mullen poised to return after a six week injury lay-off to partner skipper Kurt Gidley in the halves at Suncorp Stadium.

Livewire Jake Mamo, who set up that remarkable try last Sunday against Cronulla, has deservedly retained his place at fullback.

Mullen, who needs surgery on a broken bone at the base of his big toe, satisfied the club’s medical staff of his fitness after getting through two training sessions this week.

He appeared to be running freely during Thursday’s session and travelled with the squad to Brisbane later in the day.

But as a precaution, Carlos Tuimavave, who was originally named at five-eighth by coach Rick Stone, also travelled with the team as insurance should there be any lingering doubt about Mullen getting through the game.

Tough backrower Smith lost his battle to prove his fitness and is now eyeing off a return from his sternum injury in a fortnight against Canberra with the Knights having the bye next weekend.

Newcastle faces a massive challenge against the table-topping Broncos in trying to improve on a disastrous record of nine losses in their past 10 games that has seen them rated the new wooden spoon favourites.

They will go into the game without three first-choice front-rowers in Kade Snowden, Dave Fa’alogo and Jack Stockwell and Smith.

New father Akuila Uate, who celebrated the birth of son Kingston (brother for Tatianna and Miriama) on Monday, admitted a real team effort would be required to cause a boilover.

“We definitely need to play as a team. Turn up and play together,” he said.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...castle-uncertain/story-fni3gf5j-1227414851339
 
The Herald says Tyrone is on 300k, not 400k.
I think that is only a little bit too much.
Other clubs won't balk at paying him at least 250k, or even 300k, so it won't, or shouldn't, cost us much to get rid of him.
 
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