Close the Gap R23 // Knights 28-22 Warriors @ Hunter // Sun 2.00pm

[Jobdog]

The Knights will wear an Indigenous jersey for this match

1. Kurt Gidley
2. Chanel Mata'utia 3. Dane Gagai 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Akuila Uate
6. Jarrod Mullen 7. Tyrone Roberts
8. Kade Snowden 9. Adam Clydsdale 10. Willie Mason
11. Beau Scott 12. Robbie Rochow
13. Jeremy Smith

Interchange: 14. Travis Waddell 15. Korbin Sims 17. Adam Cuthbertson 18. David Fa'alogo 19. Chris Houston

1. Sam Tomkins
2. David Fusitua 3. Ngani Laumape 4. Ben Henry 5. Manu Vatuvei
6. Chad Townsend 7. Shaun Johnson
8. Jacob Lillyman 9. Thomas Leuluai 10. Suaia Matagi
11. Ben Matulino 12. Jayson Bukuya
13. Simon Mannering

Interchange: 14. Feleti Mateo 15. Sam Rapira 16. Sione Lousi 17. Nathan Friend 18. Sebastine Ikahihifo 21. Dominique Peyroux

Referee: Gavin Morris
Assistant referee: Gavin Reynolds

Sideline Officials: Paul Holland, Jon Stone
Video Referees: Bernard Sutton, Steve Folkes;

VB NSW Cup Round 23
SAT 2:00PM | Knights (NEW) v Warriors (WAR) @ St John Oval, Charlestown

Holden Cup Under 20's Round 23
SUN 11:45AM | Knights v Warriors @ Hunter Stadium​

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

The annual running of the Bulls with the beast trampling Uate

 

[Zoidberg]

Our defence has been bad against structured attacking sides, interesting to see how we handle the Warriors off the cuff style. Offloads could kill us.

 

[Yosh]

Is Sione gone for this one?

 

[Burns]

Is Sione gone for this one?

Was named to play in the Under 20s. I imagine if Mullen wasn't fit we would see Sione to fullback, Gids half.

 

[Bring it home Knights]

I thought that I heard that sione broke his jaw. Am I mistaken?

 

[Still Nutty]

Our defence has been bad against structured attacking sides, interesting to see how we handle the Warriors off the cuff style. Offloads could kill us.

Been a significant problem this year defensively - not tying up the ball and allowing offloads in tackles even from 'structured' attacking sides.

I don't know if it is a Bennett coached thing but all the top 4-6 NRL sides seem to employ a minimum 3 man tackle. I know they also employ a wrestle, try work the player onto their back, etc but the vast majority of Knights tackles are only ever 2 man tackles.

Forgetting the wrestle, this provides oppositions with 2 advantages - an easier opportunity to offload whilst still having 2 tacklers committed and quicker play the balls usually also catching one of the tacklers out of position and offside/out of the play, either because they can't get back to marker quick enough or worse they turn their back and run back on side not facing the play (a pet peev that I got taught as a 6 year old not to do

).

It certainly is going to be one of the big challenges in trying to win this one on the weekend.

 

[Swarzey]

I thought that I heard that sione broke his jaw. Am I mistaken?

Been cleared.

Sione Mata?utia has been cleared of a break following scans on his jaw on Monday.

The young fullback, who was injured early in the second half of Saturday?s game against Melbourne Storm, will be monitored through the week.

 

[Yosh]

Just my opinion... But wouldn't it be best to give Sione a couple more games in first grade this year? I think with Boyd gone, he'll be our number 1 next year, and the couple of extra games could do him some real good.

 

[PhilGould]

Just my opinion... But wouldn't it be best to give Sione a couple more games in first grade this year? I think with Boyd gone, he'll be our number 1 next year, and the couple of extra games could do him some real good.

It would be good for him to get more time in first grade this year but the u20's are looking like they'll win the minor premiership and possibly could go all the way, and he's one of their best players, so I'm fine with him playing 20s.

 

[Joker's Wild]

Yep, there is plenty of time for him to be in FG. Right now the u20s are in the pole position and they need all hands on deck

 

[Frederick]

Sione playing Firsts again.

 

[Burns]

Mullen must be out then if Sione is playing in first grade?

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

The footy show just said that Uate missed training yesterday with a knee injury so he was in doubt.. I dare say it is him who is out.

 

[Noname36]

We're getting destroyed in the u20s. Warriors just too big.

 

[Frederick]

Mamo just scored a great try to get us back in it.

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

Meh, a 30 point lead in the U20s is like a 6 point lead in the NRL

 

[Frederick]

Lamb delivers a perfect line ball to Fitzgibbon who crashes through to even it up at 22 all, kick to come.

 

[Rod]

Yeah halftime and we're up 24-22 :lol:.

Haven't had much a chance to see our U20's this year but there's classy looking players in there (obviously since we're top of the table). Mamo obviously looking sharp, as well as Danny Levi at hooker looks good. A few of our forwards as well.

 

[Frederick]

Danny Levi is a great little dummy half. So quick off the mark, and great vision to catch markers out of place.

Fitzgibbon will play firsts next year IMO