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It won’t go down as a classic second half, but Danny Buderus got his first win as coach of the Newcastle Knights on Saturday as his charges snapped a three match losing streak, defeating Wests Tigers 24-18.
>>MATCH REPORT: Knights beat Wests Tigers in thriller
Wests Tigers 18 def. by Newcastle Knights 24
The resurgent Wests Tigers take on the struggling Newcastle Knights to kick-off a bumper Saturday of rugby league action. Join The Roar from 3pm (AEST) to see how this one unfolds.
On paper this match looks a fait accompli. The Tigers have hit their straps in recent weeks, while the Knights have been on the receiving end of some pretty heavy scores. But the beauty of the NRL is that on any given day, any side is capable of causing an upset.
Far from being wooden spoon contenders, the Tigers have won two of their last five to move to 13th and still being a mathematical chance of snaking a finals berth. Jason Taylor has named a virtually unchanged squad for this weekend’s game.
The Knights meanwhile, have won just one of five and sit dead last on the ladder.
Newcastle have made several changes. In perhaps the most positive change Jake Mamo returns to fullback, with Kurt Gidley shifting to the halves. Kade Snowden and Tariq Sims have also been named in the starting side.
For the Tigers to win they will be relying on James Tedesco’s attacking spark, with the custodian in sensational form of late. If the forwards can aim up as they did against a sizeable Raiders pack last week, then the Tigers are a real shot at winning.
The Campbelltown factor could come into it late in the match as the home side doesn’t play there often, and a footy-starved crowd could be desperate to cheer their side home.
The Knights have looked pretty ordinary, but showed signs of fight last week. Plus there are a host of players playing for their futures. A back three of Mamo, Aku Uate and Nathan Ross, along with Dane Gagai in the centres, is a pretty handy start to the set, and if the forwards can assist in the roll-on then the Knights could make big metres up the middle third of the field.
There has been a question mark on both of the these teams’ defence, and this game could leak a lot of points. If nothing else it should be fun to watch as neither side play particularly structured football.
Prediction
Every round has an upset, and this game has the potential to be it. The Knights will be more relaxed away from a parochial home crowd and this game could allow them to play to their potential.
Knights by 6
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