2019 NRL – Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters taking place? Friday 24th May, 10:55
Where is Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters taking place? McDonald Jones Stadium
What channel is Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters on?
UK – Sky Sports Arena
Australia – Fox Sports
Where can I stream Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters?
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 Sydney Roosters?
Newcastle Knights – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500003
Sydney Roosters – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500001
THE TEAM NEWS
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Head Coach: Nathan Brown
Starting 13: Ponga, Lee, Hunt, Ramien, Kenny-Dowall, Watson, Pearce, Klemmer, Levi, D. Saifiti, Fitzgibbon, Barnett, Glasby – Interchanges: Mann, Ese’ese, Gavet, Mata’utia – Reserves: King, Saulo, Buhrer, Lino
Unavailable: Slade Griffin, Jacob Saifiti, Aidan Guerra
- Newcastle's superb turnaround in form reached new heights as they hammered St. George last week to make it four wins in a row as their attack clicked in spectacular fashion to post 45 points on the Dragons.
- The Knights' upturn in form has coincided with Kalyn Ponga reverting to fullback which has also allowed Mitchell Pearce more freedom to run the ball with the pair set to be crucial again here.
- Unsurprisingly, Nathan Brown has opted for the same 17 that beat the Dragons last week which will provide one final chance for Origin hopefuls Pearce and Jesse Ramien to stake a place for New South Wales.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Head Coach: Trent Robinson
Starting 13: Tedesco, Tupou, Mitchell, Manu, Ikuvalu, Keary, Cronk, Waerea-Hargreaves, Radley, Taukeiaho, Cordner, Crichton, Liu – Interchanges: Butcher, Tetevano, Tupouniua, Aubusson – Reserves: Collins, Hall, Curran, Lamb
Unavailable: Billy Smith, Brett Morris, Jake Friend
- Sydney Roosters' eight-match winning run came to an end as they went down to an inspired Brisbane side in a bruising encounter and will be looking to bounce straight back to winning ways as they travel to Newcastle.
- Roosters skipper Boyd Cordner is back in the side following a concussion that ruled him out of last week’s game whilst Daniel Tupou has also been named to return after he was a late withdrawal last week with a neck injury.
- That sees Ryan Hall drop into the reserves after he made his debut for the club last week whilst Lindsay Collins also misses out with Mitch Aubusson reverting to the bench after starting against the Broncos.
THE PREDICTION
Newcastle have won their last four matches but now face a huge test of how far they've come over the last month as they host Sydney Roosters. With the Roosters coming off the back of their first defeat in nine matches, they will be looking for an improved performance. After such a solid run of form, one defeat will not concern head coach Trent Robinson too much but he will be eager for his side to return to winning ways as quickly as possible and despite a tricky contest lying in wait here, his side should have too much for the Knights.
