2021 NRL – Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights taking place? Friday 14th May, 2021 – 09:00 (UK)
Where is Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights taking place? Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Where can I get tickets for Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights? Click here for ticket information on 2021 NRL matches
What channel is Wests Tigers 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 Wests Tigers 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
WESTS TIGERS
Starting 13: Laurie, Nofoaluma, Doueihi, J. Leilua, Talau, Mbye, Brooks, Tamou, Liddle, Twal, Garner, L. Leilua, Ofahengaue – Interchanges: Madden, Blore, Seyfarth, Mikaele – Reserves: Chee-Kam, Simpkin, Utoikamanu, Amone
Unavailable: Billy Walters (Injured), Russell Packer (Injured), Asu Kepaoa (Injured), James Roberts (Injured)
- Wests Tigers were unable to build on their win over St. George Illawarra Dragons as their defensive issues reared their head once again with Gold Coast Titans able to put 36 points on them last week.
- Wests crumbled under pressure in the first half as they made a poor start and they never truly recovered with that effort seeing Michael Maguire shake-up his side with Adam Doueihi switching to centre and Moses Mbye reverting to five-eighth while Jacob Liddle returns at hooker.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Starting 13: Ponga, To’a, Tuala, Best, Musgrove, Mann, Crossland, Klemmer, Brailey, D. Saifiti, Frizell, Fitzgibbon, Barnett – Interchanges: Watson, J. Saifiti, Sue, Jones – Reserves: Hunt, King, Hoy, Sasagi
Unavailable: Edrick Lee (Injured), Jirah Momoisea (Injured), Bailey Hodgson (Injured), Mitchell Pearce (Injured), Dom Young (Injured), Chris Randall (Injured), Blake Green (Injured), Pasami Saulo (Injured)
- Newcastle Knights looked set for a third straight loss in their game with Canberra Raiders last week but despite trailing 16-0 at the break, they fought back superbly to score 24 unanswered points and claim a much-needed victory.
- The Knights are firmly in the hunt for a spot in the finals but having managed to overcome the Raiders in such impressive fashion during the second half of last week’s contest, they will need to build on that by aiming to beat Wests Tigers for the third time in four meetings.
THE PREDICTION
Wests Tigers have improved in defence of late but their worst traits were all on show once again in their loss to Gold Coast Titans last week to leave them with just one win from their last six matches. Things could be about to get worse for them as they take on a Newcastle Knights side that will arrive full of confidence after overturning a 16-point half-time deficit to see off Canberra Raiders last week and if they can start in the same way that they finished that contest, the Knights should be able to make it back-to-back wins which will pile the pressure on Michael Maguire.
