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?
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.
langerthebronco
Guest
Jake Mamo reminds of Mat Sing. I'm just scared he might turn out to be another Chris Lawrence. So much potential but never progressed further.
hooter
Guest
To make the top 8, they will have to have minimum injuries , and win nearly all their home games. They are to inconsistent, they don't have the quality in key positions. I understand people like the knights , I do , but just being a likeable team just doesn't cut it in this comp.
Parrafan
Guest
Clysdale is being coached by Buderus and has been eased in to first grade over the last two years. I expect him to go better this year. I wouldn't be suprised to see them in the top 8.
chrisn
Guest
I would put sione at fullback move Gidley to half and Roberts to hooker would be the way I would go. Or have Roberts on the bench and come on at half or hooker late in each half he could cause havoc when coming on fresh with tired forwards.
Casper
Guest
Uate gets sucked in off the wing too often for me, gets exposed by good ball players. Hope gagai comes home to take over from Hodgo
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Not just that game, quick centres gave him trouble many times last year. The shot on Foran was indeed a massive shot, but Foran was stuck with his arms in the air trying to catch that awful excuse for a pass from Mannering at the time so he was defenceless. The Dragons-Knights game saw him get knocked out in a tackle and he didn't do much special, his try was nothing you wouldn't expect from a quicker second row forward (in the Cordner/Jackson mould), that said when I was talking about him being slow I was mostly referring to his lateral movement in defence
The eye
Guest
Radrada is now what Uate was..
chrisn
Guest
You do know that McManus played for the blues last year yet you think he would only make 1 or 2 first grade sides
The eye
Guest
you must be judging him solely on his 4N game against Australia,he is a very punishing defender take a look at K.Foran's inability to get up from a Joey rib crusher the game previously..no pace ? Check the tape of the Knights-Dragon round 26 game..just turned 23..just gets a little too fired up at times,but could become the best centre in the game taking over from J.Moz soon
Alex Gale
Roar Rookie
Gidley needs to play fullback, when he was permanently moved there at the start of 07 till plagued by injury at the end of 11' he was one of the NRL's and most certainly the knights consistent performers. This will probably be his last year in the NRL as I've heard murmurs of him having talks with his brother (CEO Matt Gidley) and Rick Stone about his future. So on from that, the younger guys can and will benefit from having him around the club, and just need to bide their time until a first grade opportunity arises in the side. There is no rush and they will be better for it. McManus has been solid for years now but lacks flair, however has always been a good defender and good under the high ball. Uate is the complete opposite, inconsistent, terrible under a high ball but when playing well capable of sheer brilliance. With confidence Uate is, and has proven to be the most damaging winger and try scorer in the comp. Gagai was quiet in 2014 and if he wants to follow Bennet to Brisbane I say let him, I don't believe he is a great loss. Leilua is a strong young player who can find the line and out-muscles opposition centres on a weekly basis, he needs to stay. So out of the backs I wouldn't be concerned if Gagai left and I would probably not be phased if McManus wanted out either. So by the end of 2015, the club could have moved on Gidley, Gagai and McManus opening up fullback and wing and centre spots. That would be my plan of attack if I was Rick Stone. I just hope he makes the right decisions when the time comes. Alex
Arnold Krewanty
Guest
Potentially? Not from what I have seen from the likes of Paul Harragon Danny Buderus Robbie O'Davis Matt Gidley Ben Kennedy Adam MacDougall Mark Sargeant Steve Simpson Timana Tahu Brian Carney Kurt Gildey - the Chook Herron/Eion Crossan of the Knights.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Rene I actually made that assumption before he played NRL. Look I am a huge Gids fan and I love how hard he tries but from what I have seen in the last 2 years he is a shadow of his former self and fullback is the second most influential position on the field and to play that position you must be a "gun" in form.
cecil
Guest
Sione should be Fullback, if Gidley cant play centres then he should be on the bench. And I'm a Knight supporter but that is just my opinion. The young kids lit the comp up last year and gave the Knights some hope.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Fair enough, I still don't see how you could make that judgement from just 7 games though Scott. I think the Knights have a squad that can play finals (along with 12 other teams) regardless of where Sione plays, Gidley doesn't have too many years left but he is still a very valuable member of the Newcastle side.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Rene, Dont miss quote me mate. I said "POTENTIALLY" and quiet frankly it is an easy call. The eyr pointed out " Bedsy…nor BK….nor Chief…. Mad Dog" but all of those guys made it through hard work. Sione has "god given" gifts and could be anything. Put it this way, the Knights can play semis if Sione plays 1, but I dont think they can with gids at fullback and I have been a big fan.
hooter
Guest
peeeeko, Are these players really that good?? None of them have proven it yet. Lulia makes way to many mistakes , and Gagai , has talent but needs to show it. Its a performance based business now!! McManus would only get picked in 1 or 2 other first grade teams at best. But he would get into the Waratahs after the weekend!! Hooker is a prime example of how they haven't planned for the future. The knights are a middle of the road team at best , not many of their players would be chased by other clubs. Bottom four finish, along with your Dragons!!
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Gidley in the centres and move Leilua to the second row. Seems obvious to me that Leilua is a massive liability in defence due to his lack of speed against good centres.
Pat Malone
Guest
Does anyone have the good oil on whether the brothers are going or staying ?
Renegade
Guest
From 7 games you're rating him the second best Knight ever!!...that'll do me Scott.
The eyr
Guest
Never surpass Bedsy...nor BK....nor Chief....wonder if Mad Dog has him talking to his thighs yet..