Match Discussion: Round 20 vs Newcastle @ McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2023 - Round 20
Newcastle Knights v Wests Tigers
McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal, New Lambton (TICKETS)
Friday 14 July 2023

Gates 5:15pm
NSW Cup 5:30pm
NRL kickoff 8:00pm
TV: Nine Network, 9 Now, Fox League, Kayo Sports

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott 14. Kurt Mann 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Brodie Jones 21. Hymel Hunt 22. Adam Clune

Changes from last match:
Out: Enari Tuala (centre)
In: Dane Gagai (centre)
Changes: Jacob Saifiti (front row to bench), Daniel Saifiti (bench to front row)

1. Jahream Bula 2. Asu Kepaoa 3. Starford To'a 4. Tommy Talau 5. Junior Tupou 6. Will Smith 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Shawn Blore 16. Alex Twal 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Daine Laurie 19. Aistasi James 20. Tallyn Da Silva 21. Justin Matamua 22. Brent Naden

Changes from last match:
Out: Tallyn Da Silva (bench), Aitasi James (bench)
In: Apisai Koroisau (hooker), Alex Twal (bench)
Changes: Jake Simpkin (hooker to bench)

Referee: Peter Gough
Sideline Officials: Cameron Paddy, Kasey Badger
Video Referee: Gerard Sutton


STATE LEAGUES
NSW Cup: Newcastle v Western Suburbs at McDonald Jones, Fri 5:30pm​

 

[Perth Tiger]

Lose this one and they might as well present the spoon to us on the field

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Lose this one and they might as well present the spoon to us on the field

We should invite the NRL to provide it to us tonight. No point waiting.

As I see it, we aren’t really in the game these days to actually compete anyway.

We’ve essentially just become another means of expression of vanity for the board, Tim and Benji. Some kind of super toy.

Unhappy with governing their own worlds, they have to stomp on ours. This is because they are arrogant and think they know more than us.

Sad human beings, wholly incompetent, which I can stomach, but not their self promotion and spin. Not their denial or selfishness.

They are obviously well pleased with themselves or they would STAND DOWN NOW.

We aren’t serious, 15% wins is singularly atrocious for this side. You have to really work hard to be so awful.

The whole show is a laugh.

 

[TroyJax]

Lose this one and they might as well present the spoon to us on the field

Nah, this is the warmup.
Next weeks game will likely determine the spoon recipient for this season.

 

[The Silverdale Phantom]

Nah, this is the warmup.
Next weeks game will likely determine the spoon recipient for this season.

He may be on bail, but the Dragons have Amone.

Plus their interim coach is an optimist.

 

[TroyJax]

I seriously think Saints and Tigers have only one chance each to win another game this season.
Round 21.
We should use round 20 to prepare for it.

 

[League Unlimited News]

1. Jahream Bula 2. Asu Kepaoa 3. Starford To'a 4. Tommy Talau 5. Junior Tupou 6. Will Smith 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Shawn Blore 16. Alex Twal 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Daine Laurie 19. Aistasi James 20. Tallyn Da Silva 21. Justin Matamua 22. Brent Naden

Changes from last match:
Out: Tallyn Da Silva (bench), Aitasi James (bench)
In: Apisai Koroisau (hooker), Alex Twal (bench)
Changes: Jake Simpkin (hooker to bench)

NRL TEAMS - 2023 Round 20 » League Unlimited

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[Ned Kelly]

I seriously think Saints and Tigers have only one chance each to win another game this season.
Round 21.
We should use round 20 to prepare for it.

Yep. That will be our equivalent of a grand final.

 

[Tigerm]

1. Jahream Bula 2. Asu Kepaoa 3. Starford To'a 4. Tommy Talau 5. Junior Tupou 6. Will Smith 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Shawn Blore 16. Alex Twal 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Daine Laurie 19. Aistasi James 20. Tallyn Da Silva 21. Justin Matamua 22. Brent Naden

Changes from last match:
Out: Tallyn Da Silva (bench), Aitasi James (bench)
In: Apisai Koroisau (hooker), Alex Twal (bench)
Changes: Jake Simpkin (hooker to bench)

NRL TEAMS - 2023 Round 20 » League Unlimited

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What’s happened to Naden?

 

[Tigerm]

1. Jahream Bula 2. Asu Kepaoa 3. Starford To'a 4. Tommy Talau 5. Junior Tupou 6. Will Smith 7. Brandon Wakeham 8. Stefano Utoikamanu 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. David Klemmer 11. Isaiah Papali'i 12. John Bateman 13. Fonua Pole 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Shawn Blore 16. Alex Twal 17. Alex Seyfarth 18. Daine Laurie 19. Aistasi James 20. Tallyn Da Silva 21. Justin Matamua 22. Brent Naden

Changes from last match:
Out: Tallyn Da Silva (bench), Aitasi James (bench)
In: Apisai Koroisau (hooker), Alex Twal (bench)
Changes: Jake Simpkin (hooker to bench)

NRL TEAMS - 2023 Round 20 » League Unlimited

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A good side on paper, but it’s hard to tip them, so I ain’t.

Surprised Api is back so soon?

 

[Vic Mackey]

IMO there are 3 games left we have a chance of winning. This is one of them (albeit the least likley). For some reason over the last 3 years we play our worst game of the year against the Knights. Api back is huge but I still dont give us much chance with that halves pairing.

 

[Tigerm]

Coaching Insider: Round 20 vs Knights

Tim Sheens chats to media ahead of Friday night's Round 20 match against the Knights in Newcastle.

www.weststigers.com.au

 

[TheDefinitionOfMadness]

I knock off work at about 4pm on Fridays so will probably be obliterated by the time the game starts. Which is fine by me. Kind of like footy beer goggles. In past years I might have taken it easy in anticipation of the game and a possible, if unlikely tigers win. Now the thought of watching a tigers game sober, or only slightly intoxicated makes me want to crawl into the foetal position.

Having said that the Knights are legends in their own minds, and coming off a big win last start are very likely to take it easy. They may find a way to beat themselves.

 

[Ned Kelly]

IMO there are 3 games left we have a chance of winning.

I think you are being overly optimistic by at least 2 games.

 

[Ned Kelly]

I was thinking Knights by 30 but with Api back I'm going Knights by 24.

My turn to be overly optimistic.

 

[Trollhammaren]

How's this for a random stat. Knights have never beaten the Tigers on a Friday night.

Bah, I'm daring to dream again!

 

[Nutz]

What’s happened to Naden?

Sheens said he was injured but I reckon that is a cover for poor form.

 

[Nutz]

Listen you lot, have faith. I positively, absolutely and with great confidence believe we will win this....I THINK. Ha ha.
Tigers by 12

 

[Nutz]

Gagai is out which is good but their backline, in particular Ponga and Dominic Young are going to carve us up I feel. Junior needs to be on his game particularly in
catching bombs.
Two good forward packs should provide some good viewing.

 

[Tigerm]

Gagai is out which is good but their backline, in particular Ponga and Dominic Young are going to carve us up I feel. Junior needs to be on his game particularly in
catching bombs.
Two good forward packs should provide some good viewing.

“Good viewing?”, sorry I can’t watch it where I am (not enough data), but for me, it’s only good viewing if we win.