Newcastle Knights will make their second Monday night football appearance tonight when they host North Queensland Cowboys. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 7.00pm AEDT.
The Knights return to Hunter Stadium this week after a 32-0 loss and a night to forget against Manly last Sunday.
The Knights attack was crippled by woeful ball control which never allowed them into the game.
North Queensland are also coming off a loss but were far from disgraced against a white hot Melbourne Storm, losing 32-10.
The upside of that game is that Jonathon Thurston was still at his devastating best and he looms as a major threat to Newcastle on Monday.
The Knights have lost their precocious centre Dane Gagai for the match with an ankle ligament injury and are also without Willie Mason, who has a calf complaint.
These injuries add to a growing list which also includes Danny Buderus and Travis Waddell, and leaves a lot of responsibility on hooker Matt Hilder, who may play the full 80 minutes.
The game also sees the return of Timana Tahu from a foot injury, while North Queensland will field a team close to full strength.
Prediction
Look for the Cowboys to try and win the battle in the forwards in this one. With a pack boasting behemoths such as James Tamou and Matt Scott they will look to try and lay a platform for their speedy outside backs.
The Knights have a more than formidable forward pack but they will need to be at their best here. Beau Scott, Jeremy Smith and Kade Snowden really need to lead from the front to compete with their opposition.
The other telling battle may well end up in the halves. Kurt Gidley and Jarrod Mullen will both have points to prove after poor showings last week. How they shape up against one of the game’s best (Thurston) will be key.
The game certainly has the propensity for some exciting play in the outside backs too. Akuila Uate has been damaging in his first two outings and Daruis Boyd looks as though he is playing a much better brand of football than last year.
For The Cowboys, Antonio Winterstein and Kane Linnett have really found form in a Cowboys jumper and are playing out of their skin. Teamed with the veteran trio of Brent Tate, Matt Bowen and Ashley Graham they look a real force in 2013.
The Cowboys look like a top four side at present whilst the Knights looked far from it last week. The fact that the game is in Newcastle and the ‘bounce-back’ factor may even this contest up.
It is very rare that a Wayne Bennett coached entity would produce two substandard performances in a row.
Cowboys By 10.
Robshots
Roar Guru
After weathering a very tough opening twenty minutes the Knights regrouped and showed great tenacity to win despite being understrength. The Cowboys never got back into the game after being headed. Great games from the Knights halves Tyrone Roberts and Jarrod Mullen as well as superstar winger Akuila Uate. Korban Sims was also impressive on debut. The result may open up some options for Wayne Bennett in the halves when Kurt Gidley returns. Be sure to tune in for the next installment of live NRL from The Roar.
Robshots
Roar Guru
There's the siren and the Knights have pulled off a huge upset by defeating the Cowboys 34-6.
Robshots
Roar Guru
80' The Cowboys attack the line but a grubber kick is too heavy, Knights 20m restart Live Score: Knights 34 - Cowboys 6
Robshots
Roar Guru
79' a minor scuffle results in a Cowboys penalty. Live Score: Knights 34 - Cowboys 6
Robshots
Roar Guru
78' The Knights test Bowen with a bomb but he is equal to the task. Live Score: Knights 34 - Cowboys 6
Robshots
Roar Guru
77' Cowboys kick from well inside their own half. Live Score: Knights 34 - Cowboys 6
Robshots
Roar Guru
77' another solid Knights set sees them almost pin Matt Bowen in goal, Cowboys working it out from their line again Live Score: Knights 34 - Cowboys 6
Robshots
Roar Guru
76' Tyrone Roberts converts Live Score: Knights 34 - Cowboys 6
Robshots
Roar Guru
KNIGHTS TRY!!! Green light after a Uate regather from a Mullen kick and a pass whilst being tackled to Darius Boyd Live Score: Knights 32 - Cowboys 6
Robshots
Roar Guru
74'. We are going upstairs for another possible Knights try to Darius Boyd, checking if Uate passed from the ground Live Score: Knights 28 - Cowboys 6
Robshots
Roar Guru
74' Cowboys complete but fail to penetrate and the knights have the ball again 60m out. Live Score: Knights 28 - Cowboys 6
Robshots
Roar Guru
73' another great Knights set of 6 including an incisive run from Tyrone Roberts who is having a night to remember Live Score: Knights 28 - Cowboys 6
Robshots
Roar Guru
72' Thurston tries to create something for the Cowboys by running on the last tackle but to no avail. Handover Live Score: Knights 28 - Cowboys 6
Robshots
Roar Guru
71' Knights complete another methodical set and kick deep.
Robshots
Roar Guru
70' as has been the theme of the night, another Cowboys knock on. Live Score: Knights 26 - Cowboys 6
Robshots
Roar Guru
Tyrone Roberts converts successfully 69' a Kade Snowden knock on when returning the kick off has opened the door for the Cowboys to attack Live Score: Knights 28 - Cowboys 6
Robshots
Roar Guru
Knights are playing well Jayden, the Cowboys haven't impressed at all.
Robshots
Roar Guru
TRY KNIGHTS!!!!! Uate is awarded the try from the Mullen kick. The Knights are on fire against a frustrated and shell shocked Cowboys Live Score: Knights 26 - Cowboys 6
Robshots
Roar Guru
67' possible try to Knights from a gem of a kick from Jarrod Mullen, just checking the Uate grounding. Live Score: Knights 22 - Cowboys 6
Robshots
Roar Guru
66' the Cowboys spoil a good attacking set that had the Knights in their line by giving away back to back penalties. Live Score: Knights 22 - Cowboys 6