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Eels
20
Match Complete
Knights
14
| M. Moses |  | 79 | ||
| M. Sivo |  | 61 | ||
| M. Moses |  | 56 | ||
| R. Mahoney | | 55 | ||
| 48 | | M. Lino | ||
| 46 | | S. Kenny-Dowall | ||
| 44 | | M. Lino | ||
| 42 | | M. Barnett | ||
| C. Gutherson | | 29 | ||
| C. Gutherson | | 18 | ||
| 11 | | M. Lino |
| 4 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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Parramatta have left Newcastle’s NRL finals hopes hanging by a thread after surviving a second-half onslaught to claim a 20-14 victory.
Final score
Eels 20
Knights 14
The second game of NRL Super Saturday pits the sixth-placed Parramatta Eels up against the 11th placed Newcastle Knights, in a match that has massive ramifications for the makeup of the top eight. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:30pm (AEST).
In a rare feat for the game of rugby league, both sides go into this match unchanged from last week. Knights coach Nathan Brown has given his 17 a chance to redeem themselves after their 30-6 defeat at the hands of the Sea Eagles, while Eels counterpart Brad Arthur is sticking strong with the 17 that delivered a rare away win against a hapless Dragons side.
The Eels were far from convincing in their 12-4 victory, gifting the Dragons plenty of chances that a better side would have taken advantage of.
However, the Eels are a completely different proposition when playing at Bankwest Stadium, as shown by their six wins from seven appearances at the venue. As such the relatively poor performance last week will not have Eels fans worried.
The Knights are on a five-match losing streak that has seen them drop well out of the top eight. They are still in finals contention with five games remaining, although a loss in this clash gets them into must-win territory for the remainder of the season.
Despite both sides name 17 as Round 20, there are some concerns over players coming into this game. For the Eels, lock forward Nathan Brown suffered a minor ankle injury last week against the Dragons although he is expected to play. For the Knights, they are sweating over winger Kurt Mann who injured his knee against Manly.
Prediction
I actually like the Knights in this one. It appears many people are convinced by the Eels this year. I am not one of them.
Admittedly they are a completely different side when Blake Ferguson is play – but he’s out and their last two wins without him have been far from convincing.
They were poor against the Dragons last week. The way they played, almost any other team in the NRL except the Titans would have beaten them.
Against the Warriors the week prior they were frankly lucky to win that. Most of us will remember the play that should have won the Warriors the game being called back for a dubious forward pass from Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
Not that the Knights’ form of late has been anything to write home about. At their peak they were in fourth place. A five-match losing streak has seen them drop to 11th. But I will back them simply based on the belief that Kalyn Ponga will want to show Nathan Brown why he’s worth $6 million over four years.
Ponga is due, as are the Knights. It’ll be a tight one. The Knights won’t play their best. But they’ll scrape home with a win against the Eels to get their charge to the finals somewhat back on track.
Knights by 4.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 5:30pm (AEST).
Where: Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
When: 5:30pm
TV: Fox League
Streaming: NRL Digital Pass, Kayo Sports
Parramatta Eels
1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Waqa Blake 5. Brad Takairangi 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Kane Evans 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Manu Ma’u 13. Nathan Brown. Interchange: 14. Marata Niukore 15. Daniel Alvaro 16. David Gower 17. Tepai Moeroa. Reserves: 18. Greg Lelesiuao 19. Peni Terepo 20. Jaeman Salmon 21. Stefano Utoikamanu
Newcastle Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Kurt Mann 3. Hymel Hunt 4. Tautau Moga 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Mason Lino 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Connor Watson 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tim Glasby. Interchange: 14. Jacob Saifiti 15. James Gavet 16. Sione Mata’utia 17. Aidan Guerra. Reserves: 18. Jamie Buhrer 19. Beau Fermor 20. Jirah Momoisea 21. Danny Levi
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