Knights' big fellas bring home bacon
BY ROBERT DILLON
IT was a night when the Newcastle Knights' outside backs were always likely to receive a feast of opportunities.
The opposition were the Melbourne Storm, but there was not a Slater, an Inglis, a Smith, a Finch or a Cronk to be seen on their team sheet.
The premiers' top-line squad and coach Craig Bellamy were in England, preparing for their World Club Challenge showdown with Leeds Rhinos.
In their place at St John Oval, Charlestown, were a makeshift mob of under 20s and reserve-graders, cast in the roles of cannon fodder.
A smash-up was expected and duly delivered.
Primed for their first hit-out after months of pre-season toil, the Knights scored from the opening set of the game, led 40-0 at half-time and prevailed 66-10 after playing most of the final two quarters while fielding a host of fringe first-graders of their own.
And while Newcastle's speed men dined out, it was the big fellas doing the gritty work in tight who most impressed coach Rick Stone.
Prop Dan Tolar, returning from a fractured kneecap that required four operations and limited him to one game last season, scored the opening try and made a significant impact with and without the ball.
Still shy of 100 per cent fitness, he should continue to improve.
His partner up front, new signing Evarn Tuimavave, also crashed over for an early try and produced a handy impersonation of a boulder rolling down a steep slope.
Built low to the ground at 183 centimetres and weighing 109 kilograms, Tuimavave has joined Newcastle from the Warriors, with whom he played 105 NRL games after debuting when he was aged 18.
At 25, he is a Kiwi international and Newcastle's senior front-rower, on the number of games played.
Tuimavave, who was used mainly off the bench in his days in Auckland and restricted to six games last year by a neck injury, arrived in Newcastle with designs on a starting spot and has wasted no time creating a favourable impression.
"He's a decent player," Stone said after Saturday's big win.
"I think he's going to be pushing around one of those four front-row spots by the time we get to the first competition game."
Tuimavave was left ruing the fact that his his try "doesn't really count towards the season" but admitted "it's always good to get one under your belt".
With Ben Cross (back/hamstring) and Richie Fa'aoso (knee) expected to return soon from injuries, healthy competition is expected for positions in Stone's front-row rotation.
But Tuimavave is no stranger to such pressure.
"At the Warriors, there were guys like Steve Price and Ruben Wiki there, so it was a bit of a hard task," he said.
"But hopefully I can take my opportunity here at the Knights. I'll probably get another run next week but myself and Dan put our front foot forward tonight and we'll just take it as it comes."
Thanks to the inroads provided by Tolar, Tuimavave, Chris Houston and Mark Taufua, George Ndaira produced some crafty work out of dummy half.
Ndaira's performance was another plus for Stone, who could be without regular rake Isaac De Gois for the season kick-off as he recovers from knee surgery.
"I thought George Ndaira was really good in those early exchanges," Stone said.
Halves Jarrod Mullen, the acting skipper, and Scott Dureau combined efficiently and teenage playmaker Tyrone Roberts, who called the shots in the last two quarters, looked to be a real prospect.
Out wide, there were plenty of opportunities and room to move for Newcastle's finishers.
Wingers Akuila Uate and Kevin Naiqama both posted hat-tricks and centre Keith Lulia crossed for a double.
In the debit column, Junior Sau (knee), Cooper Vuna (calf) and Constantine Mika (ribs) picked up minor injuries but are expected to be available for next week's trial against Penrith.
Stone and his troops are aware the intensity will go up a notch on Saturday night, when they play a full-strength Penrith at Port Macquarie.
But the coach nonetheless described Saturday's demolition job as a worthwhile exercise.
"It was a chance for us to have a look at our structure and some of the things we've been practising all through the summer," Stone said.
"The boys were keen to finally get out and play a fair-dinkum game.
"Obviously Melbourne were under-strength but it's great that both clubs were still honouring the trial."
Herald
