Newcastle Knights NSW Cup hooker Danny Levi has already played some important games in his short career, but knows Sunday’s finals match against the Penrith Panthers is going to be up there with one of the toughest he has faced.
The Junior Kiwis representative has returned to the NSW Cup Knights with seven NRL games under his belt and hopes to contribute his dynamic attacking game on Sunday, in week two of the NSW Cup finals.
“We know it’s going to be one of the toughest games this year,” Levi said.
“They are a really good side and have a lot of guys coming back from first grade.
“We can definitely expect a really tough game from them, we just have to be up for it."
The 19-year-old scored a try in the Knights’ 45-6 defeat of the Manly Sea Eagles and was involved in the groundwork for a number of the side’s others.
“It was a good effort from the boys last week,” he said.
“For us to turn it around and give a performance like that, it’s a really good effort from us and definitely builds our confidence.
“Everyone played their part well and hopefully we can back it up this week.”
Levi believes the side is on the right track to furthering its finals hopes.
“I don’t think there’s much change and I guess it’s the same as last week,” he added.
“We trained well last week and we gave a good performance, so I guess we just still have to go back and work on a few things.
"Everyone is still pretty cheery and happy, so hopefully we can keep it up.”
A major positive for the Knights is the fact the side will regain Jake Mamo, Sam Mataora and Clint Newtown from first grade duties.
“Newto (Newton) has plenty of experience and definitely knows how to hype the boys," Levi said.
“Especially with Sam (Mataora) and Mamo, there’s some speed and go forward there so they will bring a lot back for us.”
The NSW Cup Knights play the Penrith Panthers in week two of the finals at Kogarah’s Jubilee Oval at 4pm on Sunday.
