MATCH PREVIEW
Knights v Sea Eagles: Round 5 preview
Author
NRL.com
Timestamp
Tue 9 Apr 2019, 09:01 AM
This is a massive game for the Knights after starting the season with losses in three of their first four games.
It doesn't matter that the losses were by a combined 10 points - wins are the only thing that counts for a team that is supposed to be top eight material.
They haven't scored more than 14 points in any game and Nathan Brown has to keep tinkering with his team's offence if they are going to play in the post-season.
Manly defied the odds to overcome the Rabbitohs after losing Tom Trbojevic and there's no reason why they can't carry that same conviction into this week's clash and spring another upset.
The Rundown
Key match-up
Mitchell Pearce has to raise the bar if the Knights are going to live up to expectations in 2019. He has to quickly get used to new halves partner Mason Lino and get this team's attack into gear. Pearce has a tough battle ahead with Daly Cherry-Evans, who has played well in the past two games after a slow start to the season.
For the Knights to win
Defence hasn't been a problem as such, but scoring points has. They need to build pressure with strong running and quick play-the-balls to give Pearce and Kalyn Ponga more space to create scoring chances. Pearce is due for a big game and Saturday might be the day.
For the Sea Eagles to win
They will no doubt miss Trbojevic, but the Sea Eagles have learned a bit about themselves over the past fortnight and Des Hasler has a knack for making players believe that it's all about the system rather than what one person brings to the table. They face a somewhat desperate Knights on Saturday and will be counting on strong leadership from Cherry-Evans and the inspirational Jake Trbojevic.
Brett Kimmorley says
Dessie is getting Manly to play tough and grind out wins, they are very good defensively. Martin Taupau and Addin Fonua-Blake have been really good in the middle. If they can get Daly Cherry-Evans some time to play it will really help. For Newcastle, we saw David Klemmer make a massive statement in week one but we haven’t seen that performance from him since. Kalyn Ponga looked much more comfortable back at fullback. Knights by 1
Knights Stat Attack
Dave Klemmer hasn't let anyone down since arriving at the Knights this season. Klemmer is first in the NRL in post contact metres (294), second in runs (81) and fourth in run metres (769).
Sea Eagles Stat Attack
Manly overcame the Bunnies despite a horrible completion rate (58%) and eight more mistakes than the opposition. Jake Trbojevic rolled his sleeves up with 45 tackles and Marty Taupau ran for 206m - both team-highs.
And another thing ...
Manase Fainu continues to turn heads with his lively performances off the bench for the Sea Eagles. Used as a back-up hooker to Api Koroisau, Fainu played a key role in the 13-12 win over the Rabbitohs, making 35 tackles, four tackle breaks and scoring a crucial try in 52 minutes of game time.