KNIGHTS ANNOUNCE TEAM
Includes audio
2009-03-10
Knights Coach, Brian Smith has named his 17 man squad to travel to the Gold Coast to launch Newcastles 22nd Crusade.
Joining Captain, Kurt Gidley at a media conference, Smith released the team to face the Titans at Skilled Park this Sunday, unveiling a line up that is certain to have the Newcastle faithful on the edge of their seats.
Click here to listen to today's media conference online
Theres nothing like a proper competition game and I think everyone including yours truly is ready for it, Smith said.
A fully fit Kurt Gidley returns to his familiar fullback position injury free and after being recently named as one of the games most valuable players.
In his first full year as Knights Captain, Gidley said he doesnt expect limited game time during the trials to affect his performance come Sunday.
I got 40 or 50 minutes out against the Sharks in Cessnock the other week and was a little bit rusty but better for the run and better for the last two weeks of training as well, he said.
Gidley said the side named today has had time to gel in recent seasons and expects the familiarity to play a part in the early rounds of the 2009 season.
We had a fair few changes a couple of years ago but weve established a good team now and the fellas who have been here for two or three years have settled so its not like a fresh start.
I think its time for us to bond more as a team and hopefully our supporters get behind us and we get off to a good start.
A familiar backline includes successful combinations from 2008 with Adam MacDougall and James McManus pairing up again while Junior Sau returns fresh from re-signing for another two years alongside excitement machine, Akuila Uate.
When questioned about the Gold Coast targeting the Fijian World Cup International, Smith said it could come down to two very different scenarios.
Theyll kick to him early on and one of two things are likely to happen, he said.
They may score a try or two on him and if they do theyll keep coming but if they happen to miss a tackle and he catches that ball and theyre on the chase they might be all following up behind their own goal posts.
Debutants Isaac De Gois and Ben Rogers will make their first Premiership appearances for Newcastle, Rogers pairing up with Jarrod Mullen in the halves.
We like how hes gone, hes certainly fitted in socially, said Smith.
Theyre two very different characters Isaac and Ben, theyve both found their niche in our footy club, theyre both very well respected and well liked, they both love living in Newcastle already and for two west of Sydney kids it was a bit of a concern about how they would fit in but theyve fitted in better than anybody. Theyve done really well.
De Gois will steer a forward pack around the park featuring props Ben Cross and Daniel Tolar while Steve Simpson, Cory Paterson and Zeb Taia will be the starting back rowers.
Matt Hilder, Chris Houston, Richard Faaoso and Cameron Ciraldo make up the Newcastle Interchange.
The Knights depart EnergyAustralia Stadium this Saturday at 1.00pm for the Gold Coast. Knights supporters are urged to turn out in numbers to form a guard of honour for the team bus.
