WESTS TIGERS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Round 15, 2015 NSW Cup
Date: Saturday June 20, 3pm
Venue: Campbelltown Stadium
Referee: Daniel Olford Touch Judges: Richard Daizli, Jay Farlow.
Teams:
TIGERS
1. Tim Moltzen, 2. Keith Lulia, 3. Nathan Milone, 4. Delouise Hoeter, 5. Kurtis Rowe, 6. Penani Manumalealii, 7. Josh Drinkwater, 8. Jack Buchanan 9. Joel Luani (c), 10. Junior Tatola, 11. Lamar Liolevave, 12. Asipeli Fine, 13. Andy Fiagatusa, 14. Michael Bullock, 15. Wes Lolo, 16. Matthew Woods, 17. Jarrod Farlow, 18. John Sila, 19. Sitaleki Akauola.
KNIGHTS
1. Jake Mamo, 2. Honeti Tuha, 3. Pat Mata’utia, 4. Chanel Mata’utia, 5. Nathan Ross, 6. Danny Kerr, 7. Jaelen Feeney, 8. Sam Mataora, 9. Danny Levi 10. Tama Koopu 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12. Clint Newton (c), 13. Marvin Filipo. Interchange: 14. Jace Delaney, 15. Luke Yates, 17. Tuiala Togitasi, 20. Ben Tupou, 22. James De Saxe.
Last time they met:
The last time the sides met was at Hunter Stadium when the Tigers beat the Knights 20-18. While the Knights showed strong fight, a missed Knights conversion at the back end of the game failed to level the score.
Match analysis:
After falling desperately close to a win at Hunter Stadium in Round 10, the NSW Cup Knights will no doubt be looking to level the score when they meet the Wests Tigers at their home ground, Campbelltown Stadium.
“They will be hard to beat down in Campbelltown, but we are always confident,” coach Matt Lantry said.
With Joseph Tapine and Pat Vaivai named in the NRL side to play on Sunday, a number of fresh faces feature in NSW Cup’s lineup.
“Tama (Koopu) has played a couple of games with us but this week he has an opportunity to start,” he said.
“Jace Delaney gets a good opportunity on the bench and with Chad Redman going, Danny Levi comes into number 9.
Under 20s Knight Luke Yates also remains in the NSW Cup starting side after a impressive performance last week against the Panthers with Tuiala Togitasi and Ben Tupou showing up again in Round 15.
“With opportunity generally brings enthusiasm and that’s what I’d like to think we will need from those guys when they come.
“They will need to make a bit of a difference in the game.
“I think it’s a statement and us challenging those blokes to show us that they can play at this level consistently.
“Whoever plays out of our group, they have to turn up and get the job done.”
Nathan Ross is back on the park after overcoming a hamstring complaint sustained the last time the Knights met the Tigers in Round 10.
“He has had a month out but is okay now and will bring some energy and some buzz to the team, which is always important,” he said.
Lantry expects the Tigers to flex plenty of muscle on Saturday.
“(Tim) Moltzen is a class fullback and has played plenty of first grade,” he said.
“Their back five were pretty good last week for them.
“Drinkwater controls a lot of their play as a halfback and has a nice left foot kicking game.
“If you give them too much time and space, it will hurt us.
“It’s about our line speed and coming forward and applying pressure.
“I’d imagine they will be pretty big and physical.
He also anticipates the possibility of the side being affected by Origin, something that could work in the favour of the Knights.
“They have to come through Origin and depending if Robbie Farah backs up and Woods backs up, it will determine who would take their place.”
Where the match will be won:
The interchange.
“I think this week will come down to our bench,” Lantry said.
“I’m happy enough with our starting 13 especially with Jake Mamo coming back in at full back after being ruled out last week.
“If our bench can really contribute and perform well, and hold up their gloves for the period they are on, I think we can really give ourselves the opportunity to win the game.”
