Match Preview: NRL Round 6 vs. Knights

Wests Tigers will look to end a run of three consecutive losses when they take on the Newcastle Knights this Sunday at Hunter Stadium for their Round 6 clash.

Having gone down in a high-scoring affair to the Cronulla Sharks last Saturday, Jason Taylor’s side will be keen to bounce back this week against a Newcastle side still searching for their first win in 2016, picking up a draw in their only home game so far this year.

The Knights come into the match on the back of a two-week road trip that saw them go down to the New Zealand Warriors and Melbourne Storm in successive weeks, with the Novacastrians opting to remain on the road between matches. They’ll therefore no doubt relish the opportunity to return to Hunter Stadium this weekend, and with a big Sunday afternoon game and crowd on the cards, should produce another strong performance.

Curtis Sironen returns in a boost for Wests Tigers, set to come off the interchange bench after missing the last four weeks with a hamstring injury. The news was also good during the week for in-form fullback James Tedesco, cleared from any serious injury after taking a blow to the side of the head early in the Club’s clash against the Sharks last weekend.

For Newcastle, both Robbie Rochow (arm) and Sione Mata’utia (concussion) have been ruled out of the match, having originally been named to feature. No replacements have been named as yet, with final teams to be confirmed on Sunday at 3:00pm.

Be there for Sunday afternoon footy at Leichhardt Oval when we take on the Storm!

Match Details

Date — Sunday, April 10, 2016

Time — 4:00pm AEDT

Venue — Hunter Stadium, Newcastle

Match Officials

On-Field Referees — Gavin Badger and Chris Butler

Touch Judges — Michael Wise and Ricky Macfarlane

Review Officials — Jason Robinson and Ben Galea

TV, Live Stream and Radio Information

TV — Live via Channel 9, Fox Sports 1 (subscription required)

Live Stream — Foxtel Go, NRL Digital Pass (subscription required)

Radio — FM 104.9 Triple M, AM 702 ABC Grandstand (check local guides)

Confirmed Squads

* will miss Sunday’s game with injury

** will miss Sunday’s game with suspension

2016 Recent Results

Wests Tigers

R1 — Wests Tigers 34 def. New Zealand Warriors 26

R2 — Wests Tigers 36 def. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 22

R3 — Gold Coast Titans 30 def. Wests Tigers 18

R4 — Parramatta Eels 8 def. Wests Tigers 0

R5 — Cronulla Sharks 34 def. Wests Tigers 26

Newcastle Knights

R1 — Gold Coast Titans 30 def. Newcastle Knights 12

R2 — South Sydney Rabbitohs 48 def. Newcastle Knights 6

R3 — Canberra Raiders 24 drew with Newcastle Knights 24

R4 — New Zealand Warriors 40 def. Newcastle Knights 18

R5 — Melbourne Storm 18 def. Newcastle Knights 14

Last Time They Met — Newcastle Knights 24 def. Wests Tigers 18 (Rd. 23, 2015)

It was a frustrating loss for Wests Tigers last time they took on the Knights, with the visitors fighting back from 16-6 down to take the match 24-18. Winger David Nofoaluma was controversially denied a spectacular try by the video referee with the score in the balance, before Tyrone Roberts crashed over late to give the visitors the two points.

The History

·       Against the Knights — Played 21, Won 10, Lost 11

·       At Campbelltown — Played 12, Won 7, Lost 5

Three Final Facts

·       Wests Tigers right-side attack is the best in the NRL, with 14 tries in five games.

·       Newcastle (131) and Wests Tigers (136) have completed the fewest sets this year.

·       Luke Brooks will play his 50th game in the NRL this weekend (more below).