NYC Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders/Mounties
Date: Saturday March 19
Gates open: 12.30pm
NYC: 12.40pm
Reserve Grade: 2.40pm
NRL: 5pm
Venue: Hunter Stadium
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Teams:
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
1. Nick Meaney, 2. Kainoa Gudgeon, 3. Cory Denniss, 4. Henry Penn, 5. Matt Soper-Lawler, 6. Brock Lamb, 7. Jack Cogger (c), 8. Tyrone Amey, 9. Joe Morris, 10. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 11. Eddy Tuilotolava, 12. Braden Robson, 13. Jayden Butterfield. Interchange: 14. Jake McNamara, 15. Ryan Glanville, 16. Viko Puliuvea, 17. Cameron King, 20. Jordon Pinnock.
CANBERRA RAIDERS
1. Tre Williams, 2. Jack Hickson, 3. Luke Ellis, 4. Nick Cotric, 5. Thomas Cronan, 6. Lachlan Lewis, 7. Zeik Foster, 8. William Samuel, 9. Zac Woolford, 10. Daniel Dole, 11. Jack Williams, 12. Kalani Going, 13. Sione Afemui. Interchange:14. Connor Brebner, 15. Conner Cheeseman, 16. Jayden Thomas, Jarred Tuite.
Match analysis:
NYC Newcastle Knights coach Todd Lowrie hopes to see improvement in ball control and the error count when his young side comes up against the Canberra Raiders on Saturday.
The NYC Knights opened the season well with a win against the Gold Coast Titans in Round 1, but were unable to make the most of that positive start last weekend against a strong South Sydney Rabbitohs outfit.
But the NYC Knights have embraced the fresh week and have regrouped and invested plenty of hard work on the training paddock in preparation for Saturday’s game.
“We’ve had a really good week at training. It’s been one of the most focused weeks at training so far which is probably a reflection on the guys being a little bit disappointed in last week,” he said.
“They have been pretty disappointed with how they played last week, particularly in the second half.
“There was a lot of dropped ball and errors."
The NYC Knights hope to gain a boost from the experience of the side’s halves partnership in Jack Cogger and Brock Lamb who have both trained with the NRL squad during the pre-season.
“Hopefully if they can come back and find their feet in the team it will be really good and should give the other guys a lot of confidence.”
“We still have a fair bit of work to do around team dynamics but generally they get along well.”
Where it will be won:
Defence.
“The Raiders have a good forward pack and their back rowers will lay the platform for them. They are doing some really good things so will be tough,” Lowrie said.
The side will also look to harness energy from being a part of the big occasion that features three grades at Hunter Stadium.
“It’s something I spoke to them about last night about how important it is to play at Hunter Stadium,” he said.
“Quite a few of the guys haven’t played there before.
“We are the first of three on the day so I think it’s important we put in a good performance and kick the day off on a good note.”
