Newcastle Knights v Cronulla Sharks: NRL live scores, blog

3rd May, 2013

The quest for the Newcastle Knights to jump into the NRL’s top four continues on Sunday at 2.00pm AEST as they host the Cronulla Sharks at Hunter Stadium. Join us from 2.00pm AEST for all the team news and updates.

It’s been a season which has so far exceeded expectations for the home side, and been nothing but off-field issues and on-field mediocrity for the visitors, culminating in a miserable loss to the previously last placed Bulldogs in Gosford last weekend.

For Wayne Bennett’s Newcastle however, their home ground has become a fortress – with their only two losses this season coming at Brookvale and Kogarah.

And aside from an absolutely awful game where they defeated Penrith 8-6 two weeks ago, each home victory has been more than impressive.

As was their win last week on the Gold Coast as they belted the Titans into the ground.

Akuila Uate continued his hot form with another try last weekend as he drew level with Nathan Merritt at the top of the try scorers list. Both wingers now sit at eight tries, a compelling battle between two NSW hopefuls which should continue throughout the year.

Cronulla are struggling to find form this season and it’s clear the off-field issues are taking their toll. A win here may spark a charge back into the top half of the Premiership, but against this Newcastle team that’s been so good at home, it’s tough to see it happening.

It’s also worth mentioning that Newcastle have won the past five against the Sharks, and eight of the last ten.

Join us on Sunday for a 2.00pm AEST kick-off as well as all the team news and late changes; you never know when you’re going to see an upset.

The Crowd Says:

2013-05-05T21:29:37+00:00

homeandhosed

Guest

Why do we have ex-players in the video ref box who are affiliated with one of the teams? Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't Paul Mellor on duty for this one. You know, the Paul Mellor who racked up 100+ first grade games for the Sharks? The Sharks 2nd try decision was a shocker - why create the perception of bias by appointing guys with a known personal bias for 1 team over the other to make these decisions?

2013-05-05T10:49:12+00:00

Kazzie

Guest

Better team won. Newcastle let themselves down in this match. They certainly lacked intensity and desire tow in. Cronulla have been unlucky due to the asada investigations and impact on the team in terms of training and mentally draining. It is no surprise that when they have been able to get close to their usual training regime due to the stalling of asada investigation they were able to focus on their football. They were unlucky against Canterbury, I feel that if the a lot the pasess had stuck leading to tries the result would have been different. They may have been behind early on in this match but the second Newcastle took the 2 instead of trying for a try when Cronulla were struggling at the start they realised they could win the match. They became more consistent, started to dominate in the forwards, and improved as the game went on. Newcastle on the other hand seemed to decide they did not want to get out of first gear and let some contentious calls get to them. They did show glimpses of what they could do when they did focus and lift in intensity,y but instead of continuing against a side that was finding form as the game went on, they decided to switch back off. I feel they thought they only had to turn up to win. The knights have an issue in terms of how they mentally turn up for a game. When they are switched on they can play almost perfect football and put teams away but then they turn around in an other game and show how badly they can play when not switched on. I am surprised Wayne Bennet has not gone bald as a result. The one thing that seems to be lacking from the knights is a dominant personality in the team who is not afraid to give the team a good verbal kick in the butt when they perform as they did today.

2013-05-05T06:42:18+00:00

Crosscoder

Roar Guru

No guts no glory.The Sharks without Gallen ,had plenty of the internal stuff,and were rewarded as such with the glory. Especially with all the offield turmoil,swirling around the club ATM. This comp is getting more unpredicatble as the season rolls on,even the EEls last night looked the goods.

2013-05-05T06:09:41+00:00

Renegade

Guest

Great win by the sharks, their best effort all year. Beating Newcastle in Newcastle is no easy task, great team effort although Lewis and Carney were standouts for Cronulla today.

AUTHOR

2013-05-05T05:57:02+00:00

Newcastle Knights v Cronulla Sharks: NRL live scores, blog

The Crowd Says:

More Comments on The Roar

Read more at The Roar