Here is the preview of the game from http://www.nswrl.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=74753&title=vb-nsw-cup-previews---round-ten
We are going to really have to front up on Saturday or I do fear another big score in the making. Either Tonga or Gagen will have to mark up on Tahu. No easy task.
Manly Sea Eagles Vs Newcastle Knights
Brookvale Oval, Saturday, May 18
Kick-off: 3.00pm
Summary: The Manly Sea Eagles will be looking to put their best foot forward at home this round as they play host to traditional rivals, the Newcastle Knights. Since registering a great win against the Wolves at Windsor a few weeks ago, the Sea Eagles have lost three straight to Wenty, Cronulla and the Bears, and have been outscored 124-24 in the process. The Sea Eagles started the year brightly and showed signs that perhaps 2013 would be a better year for them and their fans following a few poor seasons in 2011 and 2012, but despite their win over the Wolves, there has not been a lot of evidence of late, that this side can seriously challenge for a top eight spot. The Knights on the other hand are sitting nicely in the top four at present, and it was really only a heavy loss to the Sharks in Round Seven that has blotted their copy book at present. The Knights would have been happy holding the Tigers to just the one try last weekend given their dramas with defence at times this season, and they will be hopeful of a similar performance here against a Manly side that have only averaged 16 points per game in attack in 2013. Tahu, Houston and Redman come into the side for Leilua, Costigan and Adams respectively while for Manly, Esi Tonga returns to the VB NSW Cup after a few weeks in first grade and this will see Dylan Strickland move to lock.
Talking Point: Point to prove – A couple of high profile players will suit up for the Knights this weekend in Timana Tahu and Chris Houston. Knights fans may even argue that one or two more of their NRL team mates could have possibly joined them after conceding 44 unanswered points in the nation’s capital last weekend. Both Neville Costigan and Joey Leilua, who helped the Knights VB NSW Cup side to a two point victory over the Tigers last weekend have replaced them in the NRL for this round, but you would imagine that both Tahu and Houston will be hell bent on forcing their way back into that side sooner rather than later, and a big performance against a Manly side that is conceding 34 points a game should go a long way towards helping their cause.
Prediction: Newcastle should be far too good for Manly. Knights by 18.