NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS V BRISBANE BRONCOS
Saturday 2nd May, 7.30pm
EnergyAustralia Stadium
Referees: Tony Archer, Phil Haines
HEAD TO HEAD
Broncos 23 wins, Knights 9 wins
FORM GUIDE
Knights: LWLWWWL
Broncos: WWWLWWW
The underrated Knights have been super impressive this year, but this week’s game is looking pretty ominous against the rampaging Broncos.
Newcastle were overrun by the Benji Marshall-inspired Tigers last weekend, but were still one forward-pass call away from clinching a victory.
Coach Brian Smith wasn’t happy with the performance anyway, blasting his team for slackening off in the second half.
The news then got worse for the Knights, who have lost Jarrod Mullen and Ben Cross to long-term injuries.
Meanwhile Brisbane is looking red hot, with Darren Lockyer having a blinder in the Broncos’ 40-8 thrashing of Parramatta last weekend.
With a sensational backline and a hard-working forward pack, the Broncos are deserved league leaders and probably front-runners for the premiership in 2009.
Still, the Knights have gone into games as underdogs and come away as winners on more than one occasion this season.
KEY MATCH UP
Kurt Gidley v Karmichael Hunt
Gidley is always important for the Knights but his performance will be crucial this week.
With Mullen out of action, Gidley will need to provide some spark in attack to help out halves Scott Dureau and Ben Rogers, while the fullback will also need to nullify the kicking game of Broncos halves Lockyer and Peter Wallace.
Hunt is always rock solid in defence but he’s been a real threat in attack for Brisbane this season, scoring six tries and linking superbly with the likes of Lockyer and Justin Hodges down the right edge.
James McManus v Israel Folau
McManus could be a bolter for the NSW Origin side, where his main job could be keeping Israel Folau under control.
McManus is a strong finisher and makes no mistakes when the Knights have the ball, but is also a terrific defender and one winger who can rival Folau in the air.
Folau, of course, is a freak – a big, fast, flying teenage sensation whose arrival at Brisbane this season ensured the Broncos had the best backline in the NRL. McManus will take one big step towards Origin selection if he can ensure Folau doesn’t get over the tryline.
PUNTERS GUIDE
Head to head: Knights $2.40; Broncos $1.55
The Knights have claimed three upset wins already this year but without Mullen and Cross this looks like a very big ask.
The home crowd will give Newcastle a boost, but we still can’t look past Brisbane. Broncos by 12.
CASUALTY WARD
Knights: Dan Tolar – knee (Rnd 9), Jarrod Mullen – shoulder (Rnd 11), Cameron Ciraldo – ankle (indefinite), Wes Naiqama – hamstring (indefinite), Ben Cross – biceps (season), Cooper Vuna – knee (Rnd 9)
Broncos: Ben Te’o – ankle (Rnd 9)
http://rugbyleaguelive.com.au/Articles/4806/2009/04/29/Round_8_Preview_Knights_v_Broncos.aspx