Round 9 NYC Preview: Knights v Roosters

Newcastle Knights v Sydney Roosters

Round 9, 2012 NRL Premiership
Sunday, May 6, 2012
NRL Kick-Off 3:00pm, NYC Kick-Off 12:45pm
Alllianz Stadium
Referees: Gavin Atkins

ROUND 9 GAME PREVIEW

Coming In To Round 9
Newcastle Knights are 2-2 in their last four games, and are coming off a 29-28 loss to the Panthers.
They have averaged 31 ppg since Round 5, and have conceded 26.3 ppg in that period.
They sit 6th on the competition ladder, 2 points behind the first placed Tigers.
Sydney Roosters are 3-0-1 in their last four games, and are coming off a 28-24 victory over the Dragons.
They have averaged 34ppg since Round 5, and have conceded 20.5 ppg in that period.
They sit 5th on the competition ladder, 1 point behind the first placed Tigers.

Team Changes and Late Mail
Find all the Knights Team and Injury News from Tuesday and full Round 9 Lineup here.

Newcastle Knights
K Mann, J Allison, D Clacherty, C Mata'utia, L Shipard, W Smith, A Pewhairangi, B Roose, C Redman, P Vaivai, N Clarke, A Gadd, J Elias
Bench:A Clydsdale, M Steele, J Ma'a, K Barber

Sydney Roosters
R Tuivasa-Sheck, P Rokolati, C Rona, J Forrester, U O'Sullivan, D Blackman, R Jacks, D Napa, C Moore, B Tago, R Martin, S Bernstrom, J Noble
Bench: J Clarke, J Siejka, J Selesele Asiata, I Vunipola

Bottom Line
This may be the most important match-up for both clubs this season as the sides sit next to each other on the competition ladder. Both teams are within one match of the first place Tigers in what is a very crowded top six in the race for NYC glory.

The ladder is so crowded that the Knights, who were on top of the ladder after Round 7, dropped all the way to 6th after their heartbreaking loss to the Panthers last weekend. The Knights led the tight encounter up to the dying seconds when, quite ironically, Chris Knight slotted a last second field goal for the Panthers.

Despite the narrow loss, the Knights will remain the team to beat in this clash. They have been standouts in the 2012 season, with young guns such as NSW NYC representative Chanel Mata'Utia hitting form at just the right time.

The Roosters are now on a roll winning their past three games including a fantastic 28-24 ANZAC day win over the Dragons. The young Roosters have clicked in recent weeks and will look to work their way into the Top 4 in what will be a great match for the fans that get to Allianz Stadium early.

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How do you see the Knights match playing out this Sunday? Will you be there? Let us know in the comments below.

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