Parramatta Eels vs Newcastle Knights: NRL live scores, blog

Roar Guru

2nd June, 2018

1067 Reads

Kick-off: 7:35pm AEST
Venue: ANZ Stadium
TV: Fox League
Betting: Eels $1.52, Knights $2.60
Overall meetings: Played 49; Knights 27 wins, Eels 21 wins, 1 draw
Last meeting: Knights won 29-10 at ANZ Stadium in Round 23 last year
Referees: Chris Sutton, Gavin Reynolds
Sideline officials: Belinda Sleeman, Rickey McFarlane
Video referees: Luke Patten, Henry Perenara

Eels
1 Bevan French, 2 Josh Hoffman, 3 Michael Jennings, 4 Brad Takairangi, 5 George Jennings, 6 Clint Gutherson (c), 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Daniel Alvaro, 9 Cameron King, 10 Siosaia Vave, 11 Manu Ma'u, 12 Tepai Moeroa, 13 Peni Terepo

Interchange: 14 Will Smith, 15 Suaia Matagi, 16 David Gower, 17 Marata Niukore
Reserves: 18 Nathan Brown, 19 Kirisome Auva'a, 20 Jaeman Salmon, 21 Kane Evans

Knights
1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 Ken Sio, 3 Sione Mata'utia, 4 Cory Denniss, 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall, 6 Connor Watson, 7 Jack Cogger, 8 Jacob Lillyman, 9 Slade Griffin, 10 Daniel Saifiti, 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12 Mitchell Barnett, 13 Aidan Guerra (c)

Interchange: 14 Danny Levi, 15 Chris Heighington, 16 Jamie Buhrer (c), 17 Josh King
Reserves: 18 Luke Yates, 19 Brent Naden, 20 Nicholas Meaney, 21 Patrick Mata'utia

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Penrith Punter

Roar Guru

2nd June, 2018

1067 Reads

After a promising start to 2018, the Newcastle Knights face the possibility of joining the Parramatta Eels at the foot of the ladder. One of them, however, will take an important step towards reversing their form slump on Saturday night. Who will it be? Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:35pm AEST.

Parramatta’s on-field woes are surely enough of a concern for Brad Arthur’s men, yet his side will also now have to contend with the loss of Corey Norman (disciplinary reasons).

Norman was one of the Eels’ best in last week’s 18-10 loss to Brisbane, consistently forcing drop-outs and building pressure from the fullback position.

Bevan French moves to fullback to replace him while Josh Hoffman is recalled on the wing. Meanwhile, in a welcome boost, Nathan Brown has been named on the reserves as he looks to make his long-awaited return from an ankle injury sustained in Round 5.

Newcastle have injury concerns of their own with cult hero Nathan Ross (groin) out and replaced by Corey Denniss while Jacob Lilyman starts at prop for Herman Ese’ese (suspension).

Fortunately for the Novocastrians, young gun Kalyn Ponga looks set to overcome head knocks suffered in last week’s heavy 48-10 defeat at the hands of Cronulla.

Newcastle are conceding 28.5 points a game this year, which ranks them as the worst defensive side in the competition.

Luckily, it appears they won’t have to do much defending on Saturday night as they prepare for a Parramatta side with the worst attack in the league.

Tip
Parramatta showed promising signs last week against Brisbane while Newcastle’s defence was simply not at a first-grade level in their loss to Cronulla. Look for the Eels to scrape home with their third victory of the year.

Parramatta by four.

Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:35pm AEST.

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