New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights: NRL live scores, blog

 
Alan Nicolea Roar Guru
 

By , 21 Jul 2012 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru & Live Blogger

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    LIVE SCORES

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    Warriors Vs. Newcastle

    2012 NRL Premiership Season, 22 July, 2012
    Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
    Newcastle 24 defeated Warriors 19
    Warriors Newcastle
    19 FINAL SCORE 24
    3 TRIES 4
    3/3 CONVERSION KICKS 4/4
    0/0 PENALTY GOALS 0/1
    1/1 FIELD GOAL 0/0
     
    Top scorers:
    • Warriors - James Maloney 7pts (0T 4G)
    • Newcastle - Tyrone Roberts 8pts (0T 4G)
    Important moments:
    • Newcastle took the lead at the 24 min. mark 2nd half
    • Dane Gagai (Newc) scored at the 61 min. mark 2nd half
     
    Referee: Gerard Sutton
    Touch judges: S Carrall & Luke Potter
    Sports Highlights

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    The New Zealand Warriors will look to get themselves back into the top eight tonight but must first defeat a Newcastle Knights side coming off a strong victory against Manly. Join us for live scores and commentary from 5.30pm AEST.

    The Warriors had numerous chances to defeat Brisbane last week en route to a tight 10-8 defeat that left the 2011 grand finalists out of the top eight.

    Now, New Zealand simply must win at home if they are to once again kick-start their charge to the finals.

    But the Warriors will have to be on song at home against a Knights outfit that produced its best performance of the year last week.

    Newcastle dominated the Sea Eagles en route to a comprehensive 32-6 victory over the reigning premiers.

    The Knights though can ill-afford to dwell on their great win last week because a loss tonight will most likely end any chances they have of playing finals football this season.

    Prediction

    The Warriors got the better of Brisbane’s pack last week but failed to turn their dominance into points, particularly in the second half where they dominated field position.

    Halves Shaun Johnson and James Maloney failed to put Brisbane to the sword, with their kicking games letting them down late in the second half.

    If the Warriors are to emerge with a win, Johnson and Maloney must kick well tonight if they are to keep a suspect Knights defence under consistent pressure.

    Although the Knights were strong at home last week, it remains to be seen if Newcastle can play at their best on the road, particularly against a desperate Warriors outfit in need of a win.

    For the Knights to stand a chance tonight, they will have to replicate their defensive performance against Manly.

    The Sea Eagles peppered the Knights line during the opening forty minutes but failed to crack a resolute Newcastle defence.

    With the Warriors expected to come out firing tonight, the Knights will be desperate to keep things close with the home side at least for the opening half of football.

    If Newcastle is still within reach in the second half, Wayne Bennett’s men may once again go on and secure a valuable victory.

    A fast start from the Warriors however could very well see the home side notch up a convincing win, particularly if the likes of Kevin Locke, Johnson, Maloney and Feleti Mateo are given room to play at their best.

    Warriors by 8

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