CURRENT POS: 8 POINTS: 24
vs
CURRENT POS: 16 POINTS: 12
Knights v Roosters | Energy Australia Stadium | Sat, 1 Aug 2009 19:30
The recent announcement of Knights coach Brian Smith signing to take over from Brad Fittler at the Roosters next year has given this game an exciting new twist, especially with Fittler’s volatile claims aimed at Smith this week.
Fittler is of the belief Smith rested stars Jarrod Mullen and Kurt Gidley from last weekend’s match against the Sea Eagles solely so they could be fresh to take on Freddie’s Roosters, as a loss to the tri-colours wouldn’t be so good for the Smith ego.
The Knights’ boss has dismissed the claims but even so it sets up a ding-dong battle in Newcastle come Saturday night.
The Knights are in a must-win position. They are still safely in the top eight at the moment in seventh spot despite the loss to Manly last week but with the chasing pack getting a sniff in recent rounds they cannot afford to let a home match against the last-placed Roosters go to waste.
The History
Played 37; Knights 16, Roosters 19, drawn 2. Newcastle belted the Roosters 38-6 earlier this year in Sydney to make it four wins from the past six games against the tri-colours. But the Roosters have no problems travelling to EnergyAustralia Stadium: they actually hold a 9-6 advantage over the Knights (two matches drawn). In fact, the Knights haven’t beaten the Roosters in Newcastle since a semi-final victory way back in 2001!
Conclusion
You have to tip the Knights here because they are a top-eight side playing at home against the last-placed side – but don’t miss the small sidenote which reads an upset could be possible.
The coaching drama adds a bit of spice and Roosters players all of a sudden have something to prove… not to mention the fact they have had tremendous success at the venue in recent times.
If you watched the Roosters against Souths you would know it is hard to get any sort of buzz going for the tri-colours right now, but stranger things have happened. Tip Newcastle… unless you are desperate.
Match Officials: Referees – Ben Cummins & Brett Suttor; Sideline Officials – David Abood & Luke Potter; Video Ref – Phil Cooley.
Televised: Fox Sports – Live 7.30pm.
The recent announcement of Knights coach Brian Smith signing to take over from Brad Fittler at the Roosters next year has given this game an exciting new twist, especially with Fittler’s volatile claims aimed at Smith this week.
Fittler is of the belief Smith rested stars Jarrod Mullen and Kurt Gidley from last weekend’s match against the Sea Eagles solely so they could be fresh to take on Freddie’s Roosters, as a loss to the tri-colours wouldn’t be so good for the Smith ego.
The Knights’ boss has dismissed the claims but even so it sets up a ding-dong battle in Newcastle come Saturday night.
The Knights are in a must-win position. They are still safely in the top eight at the moment in seventh spot despite the loss to Manly last week but with the chasing pack getting a sniff in recent rounds they cannot afford to let a home match against the last-placed Roosters go to waste.
The History
Played 37; Knights 16, Roosters 19, drawn 2. Newcastle belted the Roosters 38-6 earlier this year in Sydney to make it four wins from the past six games against the tri-colours. But the Roosters have no problems travelling to EnergyAustralia Stadium: they actually hold a 9-6 advantage over the Knights (two matches drawn). In fact, the Knights haven’t beaten the Roosters in Newcastle since a semi-final victory way back in 2001!
Conclusion
You have to tip the Knights here because they are a top-eight side playing at home against the last-placed side – but don’t miss the small sidenote which reads an upset could be possible.
The coaching drama adds a bit of spice and Roosters players all of a sudden have something to prove… not to mention the fact they have had tremendous success at the venue in recent times.
If you watched the Roosters against Souths you would know it is hard to get any sort of buzz going for the tri-colours right now, but stranger things have happened. Tip Newcastle… unless you are desperate.
Match Officials: Referees – Ben Cummins & Brett Suttor; Sideline Officials – David Abood & Luke Potter; Video Ref – Phil Cooley.
Televised: Fox Sports – Live 7.30pm.
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