https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/a3585a7f7d3f6a92fcc598e502f75482
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Under pressure: Mitchell Pearce
Whether it’s the lack of support offered outside of Kalyn Ponga in the spine or symptomatic of a larger attitude problem at Newcastle, Mitchell Pearce has struggled this season. His attacking output on paper isn’t bad at all - 16 try assists and 14 linebreak assists from 20 games. The bigger issue though is that he wasn’t just brought to the Knights as their marquee signing to set up tries. His value was just as much connected to his leadership and experience - something Newcastle are in desperate need of after last week’s capitulation against the Gold Coast. The Knights are desperately looking for someone to restore confidence on the field but Pearce just isn’t that guy at the moment. He was targeted in defence last week, missing 8 tackles and making 33. Some of his efforts with first-up contact were incredibly poor and weren’t the kind of example his teammates were after as hopes of a home final slipped away. There seems to be little hope of Newcastle’s seven-year return lasting long particularly given the form of South Sydney’s halves in comparison.
Mitchell Pearce needs to lead from the front. Picture. Phil HillyardSource: News Corp Australia
Unsung hero: Enari Tuala
After just 18 games in the top grade from three seasons at North Queensland, the 2300km drive to Newcastle represented a fresh start for the 21-year old. In just one year in the Hunter Valley, he has already more than doubled that tally. No longer drifting in and out of first grade, Tuala has formed a strong combination with Kalyn Ponga to spark Newcastle’s attack out wide. In those 18 matches at the Cowboys, Tuala had 14 linebreaks, 27 tackle busts and two tires. From just one more game at the Knights, he has recorded 11, 34 and 11 respectively. Whether it was the bullet pass from Ponga to steam over against the Cowboys or the flat ball from the nifty fullback against the Dragons a fortnight ago, Tuala ran the perfect line and was in exactly the right position to make both tries look simple with the defence around him. Tuala also like Graham is capable of playing on both sides of the field, despite growing up mainly playing on the right edge. There is a current crisis in the stocks of the Queensland outside backs but rather than resorting to playing a more established first-grader out of position, Tuala has more than pressed his claims for a Maroons jumper. From fringe NRL player to State of Origin bolter - the move from North Queensland has proven quite the success story for the 21-year old. For this week though, he will need to be on his game defensively against one of the most potent attacking sides in the competition in Souths.
Enari Tuala has been a weapon on the edge. Picture: Brett CostelloSource: News Corp Australia
