Roar Guru
Wayne Bennett’s Newcastle Knights travel to Suncorp Stadium tonight, ahead of the master coach’s full-time return to the Brisbane Broncos in 2015. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm (AEST).
Since saying goodbye to the old Lang Park in 2008, Bennett has notched only two wins from his five return visits.
The Knights will also have to reverse recent history if they are to walk away with the two points, the Novocastrians having won just one of their last seven matches against the Broncos.
However, coming off a strong performance last Sunday against the Warriors, Bennett will be confident of improving on both of those records.
Newcastle winger Sione Mata’utia retains his spot in the 17, after being a late inclusion last week before bagging a hat-trick. He will surely be out to replicate that performance again tonight.
Mata’utia will oppose staunch Broncos flyer Daniel Vidot, who had a night to forget against the Bunnies last Thursday. Watch for the Samoan international to bounce back with a big effort against the 18-year-old .
After a quiet performance at ANZ stadium last week, Broncos half Ben Hunt will be out to rediscover the form that had him in the Dally M Medal discussion just a few weeks ago.
Newcastle have nothing but pride to play for this afternoon – something that has seen them pick up their game remarkably in the past month, recording three wins from their past four starts, collecting some big name scalps along the way.
The Broncos on the other hand have everything to play for. They will be desperate to turn the form that has seen them slump out of the eight and register just the one win in the past month.
Back at home, and with their slim finals hopes on the line, I’m expecting the Broncos to get the two points. But only just.
Prediction: Broncos by 4.
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