Raiders v Knights Preview
NRL.com
http://nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=52418
Canberra Stadium
Sunday 2pm
WOW! What a blockbuster this shapes to be.
It is a match of critical importance for the play-off aspirations of both sides.
Can the Raiders blow the Knights off the face of the earth, just like they did to the Panthers?
Or will the Knights continue their climb up the ladder and consolidate a place in the top eight?
Both teams come into the game in form; the Raiders courtesy of the 74-12 hammering of Penrith are now in sixth position on the NRL ladder with 24 points and a differential of +72.
The Knights have now won three in a row, culminating in a successful demolition of the Gold Coast, and sit in eighth position on the ladder.
They also have 24 points but a slightly inferior differential at +57.
A win for either side virtually guarantees theyll hold a spot in the top eight; a loss just as easily means an almost certain exit from the play-off zone.
With exciting attacking play on the menu of both sides, this is one game that deserves a full house.
For the Raiders, hooker Glen Buttriss is out which sees Alan Tongue move from lock to hooker, Joe Picker moves from second row to lock and Trevor Thurling takes a spot in the second row.
Josh Miller will partner Thurling, which pushes Marshall Chalk to the bench. Nigel Plum and Scott Logan have been added to a bench that currently has five players.
For Newcastle, Akuila Uate comes in on the wing with Cooper Vuna out. Chris Houston has been named to start, which sees Matt Hilder go to the bench, while Marvin Karawana makes way for Cameron Ciraldo.
Adam MacDougall is out a week after copping an early guilty plea for a dangerous throw in the game against the Titans on Monday.
Watch out Raiders: Newcastle half Jarrod Mullen is coming back into the form that saw him play for New South Wales last season.
The youngster is primed to take some responsibility away from Danny Buderus and Kurt Gidley and while some say he has had a quiet season he does have 18 try assists to be ranked fifth in the NRL in the category.
Mullen also has 11 line-break assists and controls the Knights 65 per cent accurate kicking game which allows the side to make good yards and hold good field position.
The Raiders need to apply pressure to Mullen to disrupt the Knights offensive flow.
Watch out Knights: How good is Terry Campese playing?
The answer is: sensationally!
Last week in the annihilation of Penrith Campese notched up 36 points with four tries and 10 goals; he ran for 172 metres, had three line breaks, three offloads and three try assists and also broke eight tackles while making 15 tackles as well.
He is now ranked equal second in the NRL for line break assists with 16 and equal seventh in try assists with 16.
The Knights have their mark
but can they stop him?
Where it will be won: Scramble defence.
There is no doubt both of these sides will make plenty of breaks in this match so it will be the scrambling of either side that could prove the difference.
The Knights have made 57 try-saving tackles (ranked 4th in NRL) so far this year compared to the Raiders 29 (14th) so they have proven their ability to scramble when needed.
Considering the Raiders have 104 line breaks, the most in the NRL, its almost certain theyll need to add to that stat if they are to win this game.
Obviously the better scenario is to stop the opportunities in the front line but neither side here plays the game that way.
These two teams play an exciting, heart-in-mouth style.
The Knights attack is pretty potent also, with 99 line breaks, but the Raiders have scored 10 more tries this year.
Both sides also love the offloads; the Raiders are equal first with 263 this year while the Knights are just one offload behind with 262.
It really looks set to be an exciting match.
The History: Played 29; Raiders 16, Knights 12, drawn 1.
The Knights might have won four of the past five between the clubs but traditionally they have struggled in the nations capital.
The Raiders hold an 11-2 advantage at Canberra Stadium (one draw). In the match earlier this season the Knights won 30-14 in Newcastle.
Conclusion: If you are in Canberra this Sunday, get to this game.
It doesnt matter if you support the Raiders, the Knights
or the Woden Valley Rams
you should get along to what promises to be a heart-stopper.
The home ground advantage probably tips this game to the Raiders, especially since the Knights played Monday in Queensland.
But Brian Smith has had his side playing great football and a recovery session of fun at Wet n Wild might have refreshed the Knights sufficiently to fly into town and take the points.
Match officials: Referee Ben Cummins; Sideline Officials Gavin Reynolds & Steve Carrall; Video ref Paul Simpkins.
Televised: Fox Sports 2 Live 2.00pm.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.