Newcastle Knights centre Dane Gagai looks forward to the opportunity to improve on last weekend’s result when the side faces the South Sydney Rabbitohs this weekend.
“It was good to get back out there with the boys even though it was not the result we wanted,” he said about Sunday’s loss to the Gold Coast Titans.
“I’m pretty sure all the boys are on the same page and are looking forward to next Saturday.
“We just have to prepare the best we can and have to make the most of our training sessions to go out and do the job on Saturday.”
Gagai says concentration and focus will be important for the Knights in the round two encounter.
“There were a few too many errors and penalties,” he said.
“If we can hold the Bunnies out, which is going to be a tough challenge, it always is. I think it will go a long way, and if we can minimise errors and penalties and be the ones attacking the line.
“That’s the main message, to control the ball and keep possession.”
Gagai believes the Club’s young debutants managed a challenging induction into the NRL particularly well given the circumstances.
“I thought they held their own on Sunday, it was obviously a good challenge for us to see where we’re at so we can come back in and work on the areas we need to work on,” he said.
“I thought the boys did well to keep it to 12-6 at half time and that was on the back end of a lot of mistakes for us.
“If we can minimise those, it’s definitely going to go a long way to winning the game."
Although he expects the opposition to test the young side, he assures the Knights will match the intensity with enthusiasm and heart.
“It’s going to be a challenge with a few big boys in the middle… so we’re going to have to be working together defensively and present a good line,” he said.
“We have a youthful side that’s always going to bring a lot of energy. If we can work together as a team and all be on the same page, then we’ll able to do well.”
