Round 20 | Warriors 19-24 Knights @ Mt Smart | Sat 5.30pm AEST (7.30pm NZ)

[Newie is God's Country]

Is it just me or does Mullen NEVER find open space never get how people talk up his long kicking game......

He doesn't find it as regularly as he should. He has to find the grass over there cos turning Manu around is vital. Manu is clearly powerful but he isn't super quick or agile on the turn. Vainikolo was the same. Locke is the other issue. Manu gets there go forward rocketing along on a kick return. I also think Friend is a huge threat.

 

[Frances the Mute]

Any indication we've even expressed interest in Packer?

Edit: Yep Newie already picturing that grin as he winds up and belts into our defence!

 

[IanG]

Heard Willie say they fly over on Thursday. wonder when they come home. Wouldn't be as leisurely as what mine was.

Should be a dog fight at the mountain

 

[macavity]

Any indication we've even expressed interest in Packer?

nope.

 

[IanG]

Manu by 20! Knights BOOOOOOOOOOOO!

So what's with the pic of Stetler and Warldolf?

 

[Silent Knight]

So what's with the pic of Stetler and Warldolf?

I said in an earlier post that I would be Statler for the remainder of the Knights season. It seems to help the team perform better.

So from this point onwards until the beginning of the 2013 season...Knights BOOOOOOOO!

 

[Frances the Mute]

nope.

I can't critique I do my share of wishful thinking.

 

[ozbash]

Rusty aint going nowhere, dudes..

Should be a good game, looking forward to seeing Willie again.

 

[Jobdog]

Warriors team named:

1. Kevin Locke 2. Bill Tupou 3. Ben Henry 4. Konrad Hurrell 5. Manu Vatuvei 6. James Maloney 7. Shaun Johnson
8. Russell Packer 9. Nathan Friend 10. Ben Matulino 11. Feleti Mateo 12. Simon Mannering (C) 13. Elijah Taylor

Interchange: 14. Lewis Brown 15. Sione Lousi 16. Jacob Lillyman 17. Steve Rapira
Reserve: 18. Omar Slaimankhel

 

[Frances the Mute]

By rights we should get beat heavily against those animals.

But we've got this!

 

[Jobdog]

Newcastle Knights utility Kevin Naiqama will replace an injured James McManus on the left wing for the Knights Round 20 game against the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday at Mt Smart Stadium.

Robbie Rochow has been named on the bench this week after making his debut for the Club against Manly last weekend. This will be the first time Rochow has played back-to-back NRL games in his career.

After being a late omission last week, Neville Costigan returns from a bicep injury and has been named at lock for the important clash against the Warriors.

Zane Tetevano, who has started the last two games but been named on the bench, is named in the starting side this week with Zeb Taia on the bench.

The Knights will travel with 18 to New Zealand; Marvin Filipo has been named in 18.

Round 20 NRL team

1. Darius Boyd
2. Kevin Naiqama
3. Dane Gagai
4. Timana Tahu
5. Akuila Uate
6. Jarrod Mullen
7. Tyrone Roberts
8. Zane Tetevano
9. Danny Buderus (c)
10. Willie Mason
11. Chris Houston
12. Joel Edwards
13. Neville Costigan

Interchange
14. Robbie Rochow
15. Zeb Taia
16. Adam Cuthbertson
17. Alex McKinnon
18. Marvin Filipo

LINK

 

[otori]

Is that Omar guy named for the Warriors the guy whose parents are afghan refugees? The name looks familiar from a story I read last year or this year

 

[justagamemate]

Is that Omar guy named for the Warriors the guy whose parents are afghan refugees? The name looks familiar from a story I read last year or this year

Yelp that's him. He's a fullback really.. Don't know why he's on the bench.

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

How that Warriors side is not top four is beyond me.. No real weaknesses in their line up.

 

[Rod]

Absolutely. Completely underchieving ATM.

 

[IanG]

Bit of a milestone for me, my first live Knights game. Can't wait.

Have a great time there. Mt Smart has a good atmosphere. Just a shame that the Auckland Vulcans NSW Cup game isn't being played as a curtain raiser

 

[RABK]

Haha. Ian you are going to yarn about your 72 hour Auckland holiday forever.

 

[perverse]

Is it true what they say about the natives and sheep, Ian?

 

[Rolla]

Is it just me or does Mullen NEVER find open space never get how people talk up his long kicking game......

I think it might be just you. He finds it more than nearly everyone. I think he found turf with long kicks more than any other half last season.

Mullen's long kicking game is the main reason we weren't camped in our half last match.

I think his long kicking is talked up because it is excellent, but that's only my opinion. His short kicking however.....

 

[Rolla]

In addition there are halves that attack the dead ball line intentionally from around the half way. They will find more space naturally.