The Newcastle Knights host the Wests Tigers at Hunter Stadium in Round 16 NRL action on Monday Night Football. Join us for live NRL scores and commentary from 7pm AEST.
Wayne Bennett’s Knights have been the disappointments of 2012 and continue to slide down the National Rugby League table. Newcastle (14th) have lacked anything in attack this year and are sorely missing captain Kurt Gidley.
But despite being without Gidley, the Novocastrians still boast Darius Boyd, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Kade Snowden, Danny Buderus and Neville Costigan. Unfortunately for Knights fans, they simply haven’t clicked under Bennett’s tutelage.
Wests Tigers (7th) are a tough one to pick this weekend. The Tigers went down to the Sydney Roosters on Sunday only moments after finding out Robbie Farah’s mother, Sonia, had passed away.
The Tigers might still just be feeling the effects of a draining week with the funeral happening midweek. After coming off a seven game winning streak, Wests are looking down the barrel of two consecutive losses.
But it really does come down to what Newcastle side rocks up.
Newcastle enjoyed the bye in round 15 and will be looking to get into some kind of form with only eleven games left in the season.
Darius Boyd is a shell of his former self despite playing for Australia and State of Origin in 2012. The fullback simply hasn’t had the impact coach Bennett has wanted and needs to find something quickly.
After a strong start to the year, Jarrod Mullen has also lost the confidence that saw him play State of Origin many moons ago. Mullen has played tough in 2012 carrying numerous injuries and defending against monster backrowers all year long. His attack is clearly suffering.
Wests were clearly and understandably off their game last Sunday and were out muscled in the middle third against a very good Roosters side. This is where the Knights need to attack. If the Newcastle pack can dominate the middle, it will open up the fringes for the likes of Zeb Taia and Chris Houston.
But do the Knights have the speed, youth, and threat of the wooden spoon to climb over the Tigers?
Join the chat from 7pm AEST as we cover the action with live scores and commentary and if you’re watching or following along, drop in your thoughts about the game.
Dr Evil
Guest
Imagine if you had bet.....................................one million dollars.
Trent
Guest
yeah it is.. Imagine if I put 50 on it pheww lol it paid big ddn't it
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Still a nice profit !
Trent
Guest
only put $3 on it lol
Curtis Woodward
Expert
NRL Round 16 Knights 38 Tigers 20 Full Time Congratulations to the Newcastle Knights who have won their first game of footy since round eight. The Knights were almost perfect tonight and starved the Tigers of the ball. When Wests did have the ball, they were very average and refused to fight the Knights up the middle. Willie Mason was devastating in the ruck tonight for the Knights and was easily his best match in six years. Danny Buderus controlled the game well from hooker and Mullen was very good a little wider. Timana Tahu scored a memorable hat-trick to help the Knights to a famous victory. The Knights scored 38 straight points to sink Wests who were perhaps still a little off after a week from hell. Full time at Hunter Stadium and Newcastle have won 38-20.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
NRL Round 16 Knights 38 Tigers 20 Marshall Goal
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Something ! :)
Curtis Woodward
Expert
NRL Round 16 Knights 38 Tigers 18 79' Iosefa Try Tigers rake crashes over late in the game for Wests.
Trent
Guest
I got Newcastle 13+ , Manly 13+, Bulldogs 13+, combine pay $330.75 system 3
Curtis Woodward
Expert
NRL Round 16 Knights 38 Tigers 14 78' Penalty to Wests with Farah taken from the field.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
NRL Round 16 Knights 38 Tigers 14 77' Wests have simply had no ball in this second half. But thats their own fault. Knights have been awesome tonight.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
NRL Round 16 Knights 38 Tigers 14 76' Roberts Goal
Trent
Guest
is Ryan back on
Curtis Woodward
Expert
NRL Round 16 Knights 36 Tigers 14 74' McManus Try Knights spin it left on the last and Tahu puts McManus away in the corner.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
NRL Round 16 Knights 32 Tigers 14 73' Roberts Goal
Curtis Woodward
Expert
NRL Round 16 Knights 30 Tigers 14 72' The kick from the 20 metre optional goes out for Wests, but Marshall was offside from the kick. Penalty 20 out for the Knights.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
NRL Round 16 Knights 30 Tigers 14 72' No Try. Tigers ball.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
NRL Round 16 Knights 30 Tigers 14 72' Video referee time. Bomb from Mullen and Utai may have knocked on here. Knights dive on the ball. Knock on from McManus.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
will be back soon
Curtis Woodward
Expert
NRL Round 16 Knights 30 Tigers 14 71' Chip and chase from the Tigers and covered well by the Knights. Back into Tigers half here and can finish Wests off here.