2019 NRL – South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights taking place? Friday 7th June, 09:00
Where is South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights taking place? ANZ Stadium
What channel is South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights on?
UK – Sky Sports Arena
Australia – Fox Sports
Where can I stream South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights?
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 South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Newcastle Knights?
South Sydney Rabbitohs – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500005
Newcastle Knights – https://tickets.nrl.com/team/500003
THE TEAM NEWS
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Head Coach: Wayne Bennett
Starting 13: Allan, Hiroti, Roberts, Gagai, Graham, Walker, Reynolds, G. Burgess, Cook, T. Burgess, Sutton, S. Burgess, Murray – Interchanges: Tatola, Lowe, Knight, Nicholls – Reserves: Sironen, Tracey, Doueihi, Britt
Unavailable: Kurt Dillon, Braidon Burns, Alex Johnston, Kyle Turner, Adam Reynolds, Cody Walker
- An under-strength South Sydney side fell to a disappointing defeat at Parramatta last week with Origin causing havoc with their side and they may be in danger of a second-straight defeat against an in-form Newcastle.
- James Roberts has been named to make his second debut for the Rabbitohs and despite all of their Origin stars named to back-up here, Cody Walker has been pulled out as he is afforded a rest following his tough New South Wales debut.
- In a further blow for the Rabbitohs, his halfback partner Adam Reynolds has also pulled out with a fracture to his back and the replacement halves are yet to be named, although Connor Tracey is expected to take one of the roles whilst Adam Doueihi could also feature there.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Head Coach: Nathan Brown
Starting 13: Ponga, Lee, Hunt, Ramien, Kenny-Dowall, Mann, Pearce, Klemmer, Watson, D. Saifiti, Fitzgibbon, Barnett, Glasby – Interchanges: Buhrer, Ese’ese, Gavet, Mata’utia – Reserves: King, Saulo, Moga, Lino
Unavailable: Slade Griffin, Aidan Guerra, Danny Levi
- Newcastle will come into this match full of confidence after they enjoyed their bye week on the back of beating Sydney Roosters to make it five wins in a row as they climb to fourth on the NRL ladder.
- The Knights have named Kalyn Ponga and David Klemmer in their side and both are likely to play having come through Origin unscathed although Klemmer may be introduced from the bench.
- Newcastle have had to make an enforced change from the side that defeated the Roosters with hooker Danny Levi out with an ankle injury so Connor Watson comes off the bench to fill that void with Jamie Buhrer promoted to the interchanges to provide cover there.
THE PREDICTION
South Sydney will field three of their four Origin stars for this game which they will hope can provide a boost following a poor performance last week against Parramatta. They host an in-form Newcastle side who will be confident of giving the Rabbitohs a game and could even claim the win. With the news that halves pairing Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker are out for the Rabbitohs, the Knights have been presented with a great opportunity to continue their winning run and, after Mitchell Pearce was cleared to play, Newcastle should have enough to edge this.
