Wests Tigers will welcome back several stars for their Round 13 clash against the Newcastle Knights as they hope to get back into the winners circle.
James Tedesco headlines a number of players who are back from injury and available for selection, with second-rower Curtis Sironen also set for his first NRL match in 2014 following a foot injury he suffered in the Auckland Nines.
The return of both of those players comes as a huge boost for the visitors, who will no doubt be feeling fresh following their bye in Round 12.
Their previous match before that was a controversial 16-14 loss against the Brisbane Broncos, but their recent form against the Newcastle Knights will certainly give them plenty of confidence leading into this weekend’s big match.
With players returning from injury for Newcastle as well, this weekend’s Round 13 clash is shaping as a fascinating encounter and a close game across the board.
Read on for a full match preview including all the key match details, live stream and TV information as well as player analysis, statistics and more.
Match Details
Date — Sunday, June 8, 2014
Time — 2:00pm AEST (Gates open at 11:30am)
Venue — Hunter Stadium, Newcastle
TV and Live Stream Details
Fox Sports 1 will show live coverage of the match, and will also provide a live stream via Foxtel Go. Live stream of the match is available via the NRL’s Digital Pass, although there is a small subscription required.
Confirmed Squads
Wests Tigers
1. James Tedesco 2. David Nofoaluma 3. Tim Simona 4. Chris Lawrence 5. Pat Richards 6. Braith Anasta 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods 9. Robbie Farah 10. Keith Galloway 11. Liam Fulton 12. Bodene Thompson 13. Adam Blair (Interchange: 14. Sauaso Sue 15. Martin Taupau 16. Blake Austin 17. Ava Seumanufagai 18. Curtis Sironen)
Newcastle Knights
1. Darius Boyd 2. James McManus 3. Dane Gagai 4. Joey Leilua 5. Akuila Uate 6. Jarrod Mullen 7. Tyrone Roberts 8. Kade Snowdon 9. Kurt Gidley 10. Willie Mason 11. Beau Scott 12. Robbie Rochow 13. Jeremy Smith (Interchange: 14. Adam Clysdale 15. Korbin Sims 16. Chris Houston 18. David Fa’alogo)
Last Five Matches
Wests Tigers
R7 — Wests Tigers 21 def. Parramatta Eels 18
R8 — Gold Coast Titans 22 def. Wests Tigers 6
R9 — Sydney Roosters 30 def. Wests Tigers 6
R10 — Wests Tigers 22 def. Cronulla Sharks 20
R11 — Brisbane Broncos 16 def. Wests Tigers 14
Newcastle Knights
R7 — Brisbane Broncos 32 def. Newcastle Knights 6
R8 — Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 16 def. Newcastle Knights 12
R9 — Penrith Panthers 32 def. Newcastle Knights 10
R10 — Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 15 def. Newcastle Knights 14
R12 — New Zealand Warriors 38 def. Newcastle Knights 18
Last Time They Met
Round 1, 2013: Newcastle Knights 42 def. Wests Tigers 10
A tough start to a what would be a long 2013 season for Wests Tigers saw them thumped by 32 points by the Newcastle Knights at Hunter Stadium. The hosts’ took full advantage of the visitors’ back five, with all seven tries from Newcastle coming from their outside backs. Akauila Uate grabbed a hat-trick, while Dane Gagai and James McManus both crossed for doubles. Adam Blair and Tim Moltzen were the try-scorers for Wests Tigers.
Match History: Played 19, Won 9, Lost 9, Drawn 1
