The Wests Tigers took a win over the Newcastle Knights on Saturday, running out the winners by eight points in a match where neither side really impressed.
REPORT: TIGERS DOWN KNIGHT IN BOTTOM FOUR BATTLE
Final score
Wests Tigers 20
Newcastle Knights 12
It might only be Round 11, but the Newcastle Knights are nearing the last chance saloon for their season, while the Wests Tigers have also been struggling and desperately need a win when the sides meet in Campbelltown. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 3pm (AEST).
Newcastle have won a measly one game so far this season from their first 10, and it was capped off last week with a 62-point smashing in front of nearly 20,000 fans at Hunter Stadium against the Cronulla Sharks.
There a lot of words you could use to sum up the performance from the Knights – but pathetic seems to fit the bill. In the same breath you have to feel for them with such a young squad and missing Trent Hodkinson – but they looked like they didn’t want to be there in defence as the Sharks ran riot.
It worsened the Knights for and against to a ridiculous negative 253 and they have now been outscored 179 points to 10 in the last four weeks – in three of those games they have been held scoreless.
The Tigers deserve a share of criticism based on their play so far, sitting in 14th place on the NRL ladder and having won only three games themselves this season. Their attack, like Newcastle, has at times looked awful, and defence not much better.
They come into this game having been smoked by the Canterbury Bulldogs 36 points to 4 last week and after a strong start to the season have now lost seven of their last eight matches.
That included a 60 to 6 smashing at the hands of the Canberra Raiders, and the Knights’ only win of the season a month ago.
Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses haven’t worked at all well together and with James Tedesco out injured things have gone from bad to worse.
In team news the Tigers will be without Robbie Farah and Curtis Sironen with Dene Halatau and Josh Aloai added to the starting team. JJ Felise and Matt Ballin come onto the bench with Michael Chee-Kam at 18th man, while Tim Grant plays from the bench.
Trent Hodkinson is the big in for the Knights with Jack Cogger going back to 19th man. Pauli Pauli is back as 18th man while Corey Denniss and David Bhana are both out. Nathan Ross returns on the wing and Sam Mataora in the forward pack.
It all comes down to defence and patience here. Whichever team can defend better, and build pressure on the other weak defence wins this one.
Prediction
It’s hard to see Newcastle beating anyone after last week, although Hodkinson should provide them with a decent kicking game. Their defence looks lazy, and their attack dysfunctional. Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks should have a field day.
Tigers by 16.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores and coverage of this match from 3pm (AEST) and dont’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Scott Pryde
Expert
Match Results: It was a dour affair at Campbelltown Stadium as the Wests Tigers were able to pinch an eight-point victory over the hapless Newcastle Knights. Neither team played well throughout the game, but that would help to explain their ladder positions coming into the match of 14th and 16th respectively. Even though they lost, the Newcastle Knights would have been a lot happier with their performance, given the 62-0 smashing they were coming off at the hands of the Cronulla Sharks. Having Trent Hodksinon back on the field helped big time, but the game was won in the forwards with creativity, and consequently points being limited and low throughout the match from both teams. Errors marred the game, although a lack of direction in attack was frustrating close to the line. All the halves - Luke Brooks, Mitchell Moses, Trent Hodkinson and Brock Lamb struggled to create anything, and others failed to finish. But where the halves couldn't produce, the forwards did. For the Tigers, it was Aaron Woods and Elijah Taylor who led the way with Taylor playing almost like a third half. Woods had a stack of runs early in the game, including some offloads and had the Knights on the back foot straight away - which could be credited for some of the fatigue they suffered from late in the match. The Tigers did dominate early - even though it wasn't evident on the scoreboard but the Knights worked really hard to get back on the front foot, with their charge led by youngster Daniel Saifiti. He made over 230 metres throughout the game at over 13 metres per run on average. The Knights lack of execution bit them at the end and their defence wasn't good enough to hold Wests from taking the lead and running through the finish line. Mitchell Moses opened the scoring with a try on the right-hand side after a beautiful short ball from Elijah Taylor. The Knights try in the first half came through Trent Hodkinson after some offloads from Daniel Saifiti and Jeremy Smith that opened some holes in the line and Hodkinson was able to cross easily. With a couple of penalty goals leading up to halftime the Tigers held a four-point lead. Newcastle would be first to score in the second half through Dane Gagai who threw a massive dummy to the left and ran through a hole you could have driven a truck through. The Knights were unable to hold the lead though as Josh Addo-Carr crossed for the Tigers 18 minutes from time off a wonderful series of passes that ended in a flat cut out from Jordan Rankin. Luke Brooks would close the scoring in the 70th minute after plenty of pressure went onto the Newcastle line. Elijah Taylor took on the line, running a nice angle and opened a big hole for Brooks to go through and score easily. So the Wests Tigers keep their season alive while the Newcastle Knights move further behind at the bottom of the ladder. <strongFinal Score Wests Tigers 20 Newcastle Knights 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
No problems - on the next one as well.
P.Marlowe
Guest
THanks Scott - cheers for covering the game as well.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me here on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2016 NRL season as the Wests Tigers defeated the Newcastle Knights by six points. Hopefully you enjoyed the coverage. The full match report from this game will be available following the New Zealand Warriors vs Canberra Raiders match which I am off to cover now - it should be live right here on The Roar in about 20 minutes. Be sure to join me then, Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The Roar's NRL MVP 3 - Elijah Taylor 2 - Daniel Saifiti 1 - Aaron Woods
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full stats above mate.
Scott Pryde
Expert
STATS Tries: Tigers (3), Knights (2) Goals: Tigers (2/3), Knights (2/2) Penalty Goals: Tigers (2/2), Knights (0) Possession: Tigers (50%), Knights (50%) Completions: Tigers (31/38), Knights (29/40) All Runs: Tigers (184), Knights (159) Run metres: Tigers (1663), Knights (1634) Line breaks: Tigers (8), Knights (4) Offloads: Tigers (11), Knights (7) Tackles: Tigers (320), Knights (344) Missed tackles: Tigers (38), Knights (30) Penaties: Tigers (8), Knights (8) Errors: Tigers (8), Knights (8)
P.Marlowe
Guest
Cheers guys - better than I expected.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Simona with a massive drop out and it rolls about 75 metres before King brings it back to halfway, is wrapped up by three defenders and that will be that. Jason Taylor looks like he has run a marathon, but the Tigers take the win. Wests Tigers 20 Newcastle Knights 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
80' - The Knights bring it down the right through Mata'utia and then Saifiti who is taken. Spins left now through Hodkinson and Lamb who is taken before Sims has a charge at the line. Back to the right and Lamb is taken before Gagai grubbers on the last and Simona looks like he is playing volleyball as he smashes it into the crowd. Tigers 20 Knights 12
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Around 70%.
Scott Pryde
Expert
79' - This game will just wind down here. The Knights still looking to be expansive as they come to halfway and pick up a penalty. Tigers 20 Knights 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hi mate, They are currently 26 of 37.
Scott Pryde
Expert
78' - The Tigers go left through Addo Carr and then Brooks who is wrapped up. Not much happening in the middle before there is some scrappy stuff out on the right and Moses wants to claim a try. Double knock on called and the Tigers have the scrum feed 10 out. Tigers 20 Knights 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
77' - Gagai and Uate go up the middle before Saifiti with a 20 metre run up the middle. King goes right to Hodksinon who turns it underneath for Pauli Pauli and he is taken on halfway. Grubber kick looking for Gagai and this won't work as Rankin breaks a tackle going the other way, pulled down just 30 out. Tigers 20 Knights 12
P.Marlowe
Guest
Hi Scott - what would the Knights completion rate? Listening on radio, sounds like they have barely made it to the fifth tackle...
Scott Pryde
Expert
76' - The Tigers come away from the scrum through Noafoluma and then Lovvet who is taken just 20 away from his own line. Woods cuts back across the ruck and then offloads for Chee Kam. Grant with a big run through the middle before Lawrence comes up to halfway. Last play and it is Brooks bombing with Mamo doing a great job, taking it over the shoulder. Tigers 20 Knights 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
75' - The Knights start this set 20 metres out and bring it forward through Sims and Paea. Here they come out to the right from Gagai I think it was to Saifiti who offloads out of the tackle to Randell and he is going to claim a try. Up to the bunker with a call of no try, and it looks like it will remain that way as he got his hand to it. Tigers 20 Knights 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
75' - Ross and Saifiti with some massive runs to get the Knights moving before they shift right and nothing is happening. Few passes back to the middle and Korbin Sims is taken just over halfway. High tackle called there. Tigers 20 Knights 12
Scott Pryde
Expert
74' - The Tigers have a rocket on them as they come back through the middle of the park. Lovvett held on the fourth 25 minutes out before Moses puts in a little chip kick and Mamo brings it back really strongly. Tigers 20 Knights 12