Roar Guru
Newcastle’s dramatic two-point win over the Wests Tigers has been soured by a possible torn pectoral muscle to Mitchell Pearce which might sideline him for three months.
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Final score
Wests Tigers 20
Newcaslte Knights 22
Round 7 of the NRL season continues this Saturday afternoon as the Wests Tigers host the Newcastle Knights in Tamworth. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:30pm AEST.
Only the most diehard of Tigers fans would have picked their fourth position on the table after six rounds. Ivan Cleary has built a strong culture in this team and it is showing through their defence, conceding only 67 points over the first six rounds, the best defence in the NRL.
Last weekend against the Sea Eagles, the Tigers attack clicked, with Luke Brooks and Benji Marshall developing a formidable combination. Brooks, in particular, may well be in career best form.
The Knights have had a stronger 2018 so far, with three wins and three losses. They will be looking to bounce back from a 40-14 beating from the Storm last round, although the scoreline was probably a little harsh on the Knights.
The loss of Connor Watson to injury a few weeks ago has been felt at the Knights, with a lot of attacking responsibility on the shoulders of Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga.
Recent history between the two teams doesn’t give much away, with the Tigers winning the last 2 clashes whilst the Knights won the 3 matches prior to that.
Prediction
In the form they are in, it is hard to go past the Tigers this weekend. Ivan Cleary has done a tremendous job and, although moving the game to Tamworth may make it more of a Knights home game, I expect the Tigers to win.
Wests Tigers by 6
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:30pm AEST.