http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21021789-5006066,00.html
THE Knights will overhaul their defensive structure as new coach Brian Smith lays the foundations for an assault on the premiership.
Despite Newcastle clinching a top-four berth last year, only Canberra had a worse defensive record of the eight finalists. The Knights leaked 606 points at an average of 23 per game and have not forgotten the 50-6 finals drubbing against Brisbane which ended their season. Renowned for their attacking flair, the Knights, under Smith, have spent the summer fine-tuning their efforts without the ball.
"We've worked hard on our defence,'' Knights halfback Andrew Johns said. "The way we will defend this season will change. You don't have to be Einstein to know it was one area in which we lacked (last season). We can score points easily but our defence would sometimes leak 40."
"Against Brisbane, we were without the best hooker in the world (Danny Buderus) and one of the best back-rowers in Steve Simpson but you shouldn't leak 40 points in a big game. It's an area we have to improve on and Brian has changed things.''
Johns has been blown away by his new mentor, who is known as one of the code's sharpest minds.
"Brian is just such a great communicator and educator,'' the former Test halfback said. "He has explained things in a way that hasn't been heard. I don't want to sound like I'm putting anyone from the past down, but the way he gets his point across is incredible.''
Johns, who is contracted until the end of 2008, says he is in better shape now than at the same stage last year. But he has yet to speak to Smith about possibly playing less minutes in 2007 to preserve his ageing frame.
"Last year when we went to a big lead I'd come off, so it's up to Brian,'' Johns said. "If he rests me during the year or not, we haven't spoken about it, but we've got Jarrod Mullen, who is a great talent. We've also got a halfback called Luke Walsh.''
THE Knights will overhaul their defensive structure as new coach Brian Smith lays the foundations for an assault on the premiership.
Despite Newcastle clinching a top-four berth last year, only Canberra had a worse defensive record of the eight finalists. The Knights leaked 606 points at an average of 23 per game and have not forgotten the 50-6 finals drubbing against Brisbane which ended their season. Renowned for their attacking flair, the Knights, under Smith, have spent the summer fine-tuning their efforts without the ball.
"We've worked hard on our defence,'' Knights halfback Andrew Johns said. "The way we will defend this season will change. You don't have to be Einstein to know it was one area in which we lacked (last season). We can score points easily but our defence would sometimes leak 40."
"Against Brisbane, we were without the best hooker in the world (Danny Buderus) and one of the best back-rowers in Steve Simpson but you shouldn't leak 40 points in a big game. It's an area we have to improve on and Brian has changed things.''
Johns has been blown away by his new mentor, who is known as one of the code's sharpest minds.
"Brian is just such a great communicator and educator,'' the former Test halfback said. "He has explained things in a way that hasn't been heard. I don't want to sound like I'm putting anyone from the past down, but the way he gets his point across is incredible.''
Johns, who is contracted until the end of 2008, says he is in better shape now than at the same stage last year. But he has yet to speak to Smith about possibly playing less minutes in 2007 to preserve his ageing frame.
"Last year when we went to a big lead I'd come off, so it's up to Brian,'' Johns said. "If he rests me during the year or not, we haven't spoken about it, but we've got Jarrod Mullen, who is a great talent. We've also got a halfback called Luke Walsh.''
