2019 NRL – Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos taking place? Saturday 29th June, 08:30
Where is Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos taking place? McDonald Jones Stadium
What channel is Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos on?
UK – Sky Sports Arena
Australia – Fox Sports
Where can I stream Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos?
UK – Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match via Sky Go
Australia – https://www.telstra.com.au/tv-movies-music/sports-offer
Where can I get tickets for Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos?
Newcastle Knights – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500003
Brisbane Broncos – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500011
THE TEAM NEWS
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Head Coach: Nathan Brown
Starting 13: Ponga, Lee, Hunt, Ramien, Kenny-Dowall, Mann, Pearce, Gavet, Watson, D. Saifiti, Fitzgibbon, Mata’utia, Glasby – Interchanges: Buhrer, Ese’ese, King, Lino – Reserves: Klemmer, J. Saifiti
Unavailable: Slade Griffin, Aidan Guerra, Danny Levi, Mitch Barnett
- Newcastle will have to produce a big performance to bounce back from their disappointing loss to Melbourne in their last game but a game against a struggling Brisbane could provide the perfect opportunity to get back on track.
- Mitchell Pearce should be fit for the Knights but Kalyn Ponga and Tim Glasby suffered knocks in Origin which makes them doubts here although they have both remained in the side 24 hours out from kick-off.
- David Klemmer is expected to be a late inclusion following a brief stint on the sidelines whilst Mitch Barnett sits out due to suspension so Sione Mata’utia is promoted to the run-on side with Josh King returning on the bench.
BRISBANE BRONCOS
Head Coach: Anthony Seibold
Starting 13: Boyd, Oates, Staggs, Shibasaki, Kennar, Milford, O’Sullivan, Lodge, McCullough, Haas, Fifita, Gillett, Pangai Jnr. – Interchanges: Turpin, Ofahengaue, Flegler, Carrigan – Reserves: Coates, Fensom
Unavailable: Jack Bird, Alex Glenn, Tom Dearden, Jamayne Isaako
- Brisbane's season looks like it is unravelling as they suffered a second disappointing defeat in succession as Parramatta defeated them and now they travel to Newcastle to face a Knights side who will be looking for a response to their heavy loss to Melbourne.
- Payne Haas was unable to take to the field for Origin but his hamstring injury is not serious and he has been named in the starting XIII for the Broncos here and is joined by fellow Origin player Joe Ofahengaue who also missed their last game.
- Jayden Su’A has departed the club this week and moved to South Sydney with Ofahengaue taking his place on the bench whilst Jamayne Isaako is left out for personal reasons with Richie Kennar coming onto the wing.
THE PREDICTION
Newcastle failed to live up to their hype as Melbourne taught them a lesson in their last game to bring to an end their six-match winning run. They get a chance to put that right against an out-of-sorts Broncos who have put in two terrible performances in a row with the Knights able to win this one. Brisbane could well make wholesale changes before kick-off with head coach Anthony Seibold hinting at a change that could see Anthony Milford switch to fullback as he searches for a winning formula but it may take time for that alteration to take effect for the Broncos.
