Round 15 | Knights 16-12 Panthers @ Ausgrid | Saturday 18th June 2011

[Jobdog]

1. Wes Naiqama 20. Peter Mata'utia 3. Junior Sa'u 4. Keith Lulia 5. Akuila Uate 18. Ryan Stig 7. Kurt Gidley (C)
8. Richie Fa'aoso 9. Matt Hilder 10. Evarn Tuimavave 11. Chris Houston 12. Neville Costigan 19. Steve Southern

Interchange: 13. Joel Edwards 14. Isaac De Gois 15. Antonio Kaufusi 16. Cameron Ciraldo

1. Lachlan Coote 2. David Simmons 20. Junior Vaivai 4. Brad Tighe 5. Adrian Purtell 6. Travis Burns 7. Luke Walsh
8. Sam McKendry 9. Kevin Kingston 18. Petero Civoniceva 11. Trent Waterhouse 12. Nathan Smith 3. Joseph Paulo

Interchange: 10. Tim Grant 14. Nafe Seluini 15. Masada Iosefa 16. Matthew Bell

Referees
Gavin Badger and Tony De Las Heras
Touch Judges: Ricky MacFarlane and David Munro; Video Referee: Russell Smith
​

Toyota Cup Round 15
Knights v Panthers @ Ausgrid, Sat 3:15pm (Live FOX Sports 2 & 2HD)​

​

 

[EdLondon]

Looks like Lewis is out. Good news for knights.

 

[Serc]

Weather is looking great for Saturday by the way, if you're half thinking of going (especially given the terrible weather the past few days), make sure you do go!

 

[rnb11]

Roberts is believed to be ruled out according to David Middleton, if so Ryan Stig is likely to come into the side

 

[Joker's Wild]

Gids has a knee complaint but is likely to play

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

We are going to dominate the panthers. 48-12

 

[Jobdog]

f**k. Gids with a bung knee, Roberts looking like being out, Lewis out for the Panthers; this could be one incredibly ugly game ...

 

[Yosh]

Could be exciting with Aku usually playing very well against the Panthers. We're gonna look pretty funny out there this week. I call Costigan will be our most creative player. I love his passing work with Sau.

 

[doggone]

I cant believe the Gids is injured again! I hope his knee is OK. This will be one interesting match!

 

[88.Knights]

...stig to first receiver, aku to second receiver, more ball in aku's hand against this flimsy looking pamfers team is a must. or am i just :crazy:

 

[RABK]

Aku played a bit of first receiver for the Blues. Seems Stuart loves Uate making a run before a set play because he attracts multiple defenders and 95% of the time dominates them and gets a fast play the ball.

Aku really got the defense retreating.

 

[Serc]

Kurt Gidley playing through pain

• Barry Toohey
• June 18, 2011 12:00AM

WRAPPING Kurt Gidley in cotton wool. Anyone who knows the Newcastle skipper and his hunger for hard work on the training paddock knows that's a tall order.
But it's exactly what Knights coach Rick Stone plans to do with his key player as Kurt Gidley battles chronic patella tendonitis in his right knee in the most testing period of the season.
There is no suggestion Gidley will be forced to miss any games.
Both he and NSW Blues team-mate Akuila Uate will play against Penrith at Ausgrid Stadium tonight.
But the Knights have lost winger James McManus and five-eighth Tyrone Roberts is also set to withdraw, with Ryan Stig poised to make his NRL debut outside Gidley.
Stone said managing Gidley's problem had become paramount. He knows his side's finals hopes now largely hinge on his skipper's influence in the absence of the injured Jarrod Mullen.
"Yeah, it's something we are trying to monitor and manage the best we can," Stone said yesterday.
"His knee flares up badly after games and gives him a fair bit of trouble. It's about trying to minimise the amount of work he does on his legs between games but with Kurt, that's not always easy.
"It's going to be a matter of him doing a little bit here and there and getting through that way."
Gidley has suffered from the tendonitis for almost 12 months but he admits that it has worsened in recent times.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ing-through-pain/story-e6frexnr-1226077368255

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

Atleast its not Scott Dureau comming in!

 

[Serc]

Mata’utia gets to wing it again in firsts
BY ROBERT DILLON
18 Jun, 2011 04:00 AM

NEWCASTLE rookie Peter Mata’utia will play his second top-grade game after representative winger James McManus was ruled out of tonight’s crucial clash with Penrith at Ausgrid Stadium.
Mata’utia made a classy NRL debut in the 12-10 loss to the Roosters on May 22, which impressed incoming coach Wayne Bennett enough to win the 20-year-old a two-year contract that he signed on Thursday.
The youngster has since been biding his time with the Central Coast Centurions in the NSW Cup, but Knights coach Rick Stone had no hesitation in recalling him yesterday when McManus succumbed to an ankle injury he suffered against Wests Tigers 12 days ago.
‘‘James McManus is out,’’ Stone said yesterday.
‘‘He pulled up a bit sore after training yesterday so we decided to back off there a bit, and Peter Mata’utia will play. ‘‘He did well in that first game against the Roosters and hasn’t had a go since, so I think it’s fair he gets another go.’’
Stone was hopeful that McManus would be available for Newcastle’s match against the Roosters on Sunday week.
Stone said Mata’utia would play on the left edge tonight, having debuted on the opposite flank.
‘‘He’s versatile enough to do both,’’ Stone said. ‘‘I think that’s a pretty big advantage in this sort of situation.
‘‘Some players have a left- or right-foot step, or carry the ball in their left or right arm and have a left or right fend, so that sort of flexibility is good to see in young players.
‘‘It’s possibly an art that’s been lost a bit, to be honest, but Pete has definitely got it, and that gives the coach a bit of solace around what side to play him.’’
Stone said there were no other dramas at yesterday’s final ball-work session, although NSW Origin stars Kurt Gidley and Akuila Uate were on light duties.
‘‘They didn’t train,’’ Stone said.
‘‘They ticked their legs over a bit on the bikes and had another stretch and another massage.
‘‘But we’re confident they don’t need to train.
‘‘Rest is the most important thing for them between now and the weekend.’’

http://www.theherald.com.au/news/lo...-gets-to-wing-it-again-in-firsts/2199122.aspx

 

[RHCP]

Atleast its not Scott Dureau comming in!

Was thinking the same thing.

Never like to see one of our guys go down injured but I'm very pleased that Pete is getting another run in first grade.

Weatherman how is it looking for tonight?

 

[Serc]

Still looking good

Weather is looking great for Saturday by the way, if you're half thinking of going (especially given the terrible weather the past few days), make sure you do go!

 

[Jobdog]

I bet it's going to be fkn cold though. Those nor-westers are fkn cold atm

 

[Medievalknight]

I bet it's going to be fkn cold though. Those nor-westers are fkn cold atm

Well get some bloody beef on you JD... :lol:

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

i'd personally like to see gids off the bench tonight. Maybe replacing Hilder or Stig.. Get a solid 50-60 min out of him. If we need him to play longer than so be it. No point finishing 8th if gids is out injured.

 

[Serc]

You mean W-SW don't you JD at this time of year (well anytime really), a NW wind will bring warmer than average temps!

But yes it will be a typical cold night footy game, with a little bit of a breeze too.