The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

The Knights' outside backs pickle

Roar Guru
16th February, 2015
Advertisement
Chanel Mata'utia could line up alongside his brother against South Sydney. (Naparazzi / Flickr)
Roar Guru
16th February, 2015
34

Not many pundits are rating the Newcastle Knights having a major impact on the 2015 NRL premiership. Currently they rate 11th of 16 in premiership odds.

The outside backs is one area the Knights have top-level quality and abundant depth.

With the stunning debuts of two of the Mata’utia brothers late last year and young Jake Mamo continuing to impress, the Knights have some difficult decisions to make.

Coach Rick Stone has already said that stalwart Kurt Gidley will take the custodian role. This leaves the Mata’utia brothers (new Kangaroo Sione, Chanel and Pat), Mamo, James McManus, Akuila Uate, Dane Gagai and Joey Lulia competing for four spots.

The decision on who to choose is further complicated by the uncertain futures of Gagai, who is rumoured to be returning to Brisbane in 2016, and the Mata’utias’ contract complications. They signed with Canterbury late last year for 2016 but there are problems with their manager and they have the right to change their minds until June 30.

With an overabundance of talent in the backline, Stone must be tempted to try and make a trade for a better prop or hooker. McManus, Mamo and Pat Mata’utia are the three favoured to miss selection and would be welcome at most other teams. However they would be needed by the Knights in 2016 if Gagai and the brothers leave. Until other players’ futures become clear, they will have to bide their time in NSW Cup.

If the Knights manage to retain the Mata’utias, then surely another club would be interested in Mamo and McManus. Just as it’s been reported that the Dragons and the Panthers may trade Trent Merrin for Adam Docker/Sika Manu, it may be in the players’ and the Knights’ best interests to give up some outside backs in exchange for a big bopper upfront or a dangerous hooker.

Such a trade would leave the Knights with a better, more balanced squad capable of challenging the top teams. Maybe the best deal could be with the Dogs, who seem to have an endless supply of big forwards but lack that star fullback that most top sides have?

Advertisement

I am sure there is some manoeuvring going on behind the scenes, as it’s not optimal for the Knights to have surplus people in positions that can not occupy bench spots.

What would you do if you were Rick Stone? I am sure many will say move Gidley to the bench.

close