General Sportal Warriors vs Knights Preview

[PB_old]

Knights vs Warriors

VENUE & TIME: EnergyAustralia Stadium, Sunday - 15:00 AEDT
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 16, Knights 12, Warriors 3, draws 1
COVERAGE: Fox Sports
LAST TIME: Knights 16 - Warriors 4 at Ericsson Stadium, round 24, 2005

WALKING WOUNDED
The Knights will field an unchanged squad from last week. Second-rower Clint Newton is due back from a neck injury in two weeks.
The Warriors are also unchanged from last week, with the exception of skilful utility Sione Faumuina who has been added to a five-man bench after serving a suspension.

FORM
The Knights were installed as new premiership favourites after their stunning 46-22 carve up of the Bulldogs last week. The wooden spooners from 2005 have now scored 141 points in just three matches.
The Warriors registered their first win of the season last week when they downed a depleted Wests Tigers side with relative ease. It was their first win in New Zealand outside of Auckland in 11 attempts. Unfortunately the convicted salary cap rorters are still two points in the negative on the competition ladder.

WHO'S HOT
Newcastle fans must be chuffed at the rapid rise of former Waratahs back Milton Thaiday since he switched back to league from union last season. He has the speed, the elusiveness and the instinct to make it at the highest level as the Bulldogs found out last week when he crossed for three tries.
Erratic Warriors centre Clinton Toopi proved a handful for the Tigers' right side defence last week, scoring a try and making nine tackle busts. If only Clinton could produce this sort of form on a more consistent basis like he did back in the 2002-03 seasons.

KEY MATCH-UPS
Andrew Johns v Nathan Fien
Josh Perry v Steve Price
Danny Buderus v George Gatis

LIKE TO SEE
More open spaces for Thaiday. He is in the class of Slater and Bowen as players who can light up a game.

WOULDN'T LIKE TO SEE
The Warriors murdered at the play-the-ball. If this match is to remain close then New Zealand's big forwards need to get off the deck quickly in defence and cut down Danny Buderus' space and options from dummy-half.

WE THINK
The Warriors regularly fall into the habit of switching off in games and that should cost them dearly against the Knights who can score from any position on the paddock. The Knights have a stronger, more reliable forward pack and a decided advantage in the backs with Andrew Johns leading the charge. The home ground advantage should ensure a big margin. Knights by 24.

 

[madbaz_old]

Not to sure if the Knights have a stronger pack.

 

[sebastian_old]

What there sayin Great Grandfather Craig smith is better than Price. Suck One!!! That Josh Perry is even in the class of Wiki, KISS MY ARSE SPORTSTAL!!!

 

[Iafeta_old]

Yes I was somewhat surprised about the pack comment...

 

[Swanley_old]

True about the pack comment, but agree with the result and margin....

 

[edguy_old]

im sorry ..knights pack better than ours??????????? hahahahahahaha
omg what a joke ...how many internationals in there pack ?????????

thats a joke report surely .......................

 

[edguy_old]

how can they say a pack that contains a bloke who couldnt even get a start for the storm on a regular basis , and a bloke reegan tanner????? who ??????? who most of us have never heard of ,, is better than a pack full of kiwi { world champions}internationals and a qld and aus forward in price ... gatis is the only non rep player in out pack .....

im sorry but thats a joke ................................ :lol:

 

[Wiki_old]

I don't think they can match it against us.

My mind has it worked out.

If the Warriors don't switch off, we will win.

We hardly switched off against Tigers and that proved the difference.

If we switch off, we have lost it against a red hot Knights team. But if we stay on our game the whole time and concentrate throughout 100% I think we have got it.

Disagree with pack comment and we will prove it.

Didn't know Toopi made that many tackle busts, thats an awesome stat to have alongside your name.

I'm very, very excited.

 

[casso_old]

No hint of sarcasam here

I think the only way the warriors can win is for Cleary to stick Luake or Tuimavave on Johns and knock his block off in the first 3 minutes of the game.They would have to make sure he doesn't play again that night and they will probably get 8-10 weeks suspension but I believe that is the only way the Warriors can win.Dinosaur Tactics

 

[jono_t2000_old]

I would normally agree to taking out Johns, but not in the 2006 season, the Warriors have already had enough bad publicity the last thing they need is to be the team responsible for illegally taking out the Australians beloved Rugby League son.

I think the person who posted a while back who said the best way to contain Johns is go for his knees, they are the dodgy part of him and thats what he have to aim for.