2021 NRL – Melbourne Storm vs Newcastle Knights Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Melbourne Storm vs Newcastle Knights taking place? Saturday 17th July, 2021 – 10:35 (UK)
Where is Melbourne Storm vs Newcastle Knights taking place? Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Where can I get tickets for Melbourne Storm vs Newcastle Knights? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches
What channel is Melbourne Storm vs Newcastle Knights on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Melbourne Storm vs Newcastle Knights? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
THE TEAM NEWS
MELBOURNE STORM
Starting 13: Hynes, Jennings, R. Smith, Olam, Ieremia, Munster, Hughes, J. Bromwich. B. Smith, Kamikamica, Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, Finucane – Interchanges: Booth, Lewis, Pene, Loiero – Reserves: Lumelume, J. Grant
Unavailable: Max King (Injured), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Injured), Tyson Smoothy (Injured), Ryley Jacks (Injured), Harry Grant (Injured), Tom Eisenhuth (Injured), Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Suspended), Josh Addo-Carr (Rested), Christian Welch (Rested)
- Melbourne Storm’s fabulous run of form continued as they made it 13 consecutive victories with an eye-catching success against Sydney Roosters last time out in what was yet another brilliant attacking performance.
- The Storm’s recent record with ball in hand has been too much for all of their opponents to handle and the 0-46 success against the Roosters was the tenth in during their winning streak that they have achieved at least 40 points.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Starting 13: Ponga, Young, Mann, Tuala, Hunt, Clifford, Crossland, J. Saifiti, Brailey, D. Saifiti, Frizell, Fitzgibbon, Barnett – Interchanges: Watson, Klemmer, King, Jones – Reserves: Johns, Hoy
Unavailable: Edrick Lee (Injured), Pasami Saulo (Injured), Bradman Best (Injured), Mitchell Pearce (Injured)
- Newcastle Knights made it back-to-back successes thanks to an eye-catching victory over North Queensland Cowboys last time out in which they kept their opponents scoreless and they are now on the cusp of forcing their way into the top eight.
- Those wins have coincided with the return of halfback Mitchell Pearce but he has copped a hamstring injury and will therefore miss out here so all eyes will be on Kalyn Ponga to pull the strings from fullback.
THE PREDICTION
Melbourne Storm have been in incredible form of late and they look a
match for anyone. They top the ladder and they will be difficult to
overhaul judging by their current run of form which has seen them win 13
straight matches. They have had to deal with some upheaval this week
owning to the decision to put Victoria into lockdown but with Newcastle
Knights also relocating to Queensland, the disrupted preparation for
both should be similar. However, with the Knights missing one of their
key men in Mitchell Pearce who has led them to successive wins, the
Storm are likely to be far too good here and they should cover the -16
handicap.
