Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans
Date: Saturday March 11
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
Kick-off: 10.45am
SQUADS
Newcastle
1. Matt Cooper, 2. Mitch Andrews 3. Brayden Musgrove, 4. Heath Gibbs, 5. Kainoa Gudgeon, 6. Jack Johns, 7. Hayden Loughrey, 8. Viko Puliuvea, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Cameron King, 11. Zac Hosking, 12. Sam McIntyre, 13. Kurtis Dark. Interchange: 14. Dylan Clark, 15. Eddy Tuilotolava, 16. Pasami Saulo, 17. Will Davies, 18. Lachlan Farr, 19. Nash Birch, 20. Tavita Fesolai, 21. Keanu Dawson, 22. Dean Kouka-Smith, 23. Brendan O'Hagan.
Gold Coast
1. Tre Williams, 2. Tyronne Robert-Davis, 3. Phillip Sami, 4. Daniel Brownbill, 5. Kody Parsons, 6. Ethan Roberts, 7. Alexander Brimson, 8. Moeaki Fotuiaka, 9. Corey Manicaros, 10. Max King, 11. Kelepi Faukafa, 12. Apiata Noema, 13. Reihana Marsh. Interchange: 14. Bostyn Hakaraia, 15. Kobe Tararo, 16. Luke Polson, 17. Justin Fai, 18. Curtis Dansey-Smaller, 19. Jordan Birch, 20. Zae Wallace, 21. Jake Sparey, 22. Blake Lenehan, 23. Ethan Paikae.
MATCH ANALYSIS
NYC coach Todd Lowrie has named a near unchanged squad for Saturday’s round two match against the Gold Coast Titans.
Prop Jayden Butterfield suffered a work injury during the week and will be sidelined, which gives Viko Puliuvea his chance in the number eight jersey.
“He’s done well, big Viko (Puliuvea), he was with us last year and played a few games and then he’s trained hard in the off-season and played well off the bench last week,” said Lowrie.
Heath Gibbs will move back into the centres, after having the week off for a wedding, while the absence of Henry Penn to injury will see Zac Hosking move to the second row and Kurtis Dark in the starting 17 at lock.
“Some injuries have created a bit of opportunity for a couple of other guys,” Lowrie explained.
The NYC coach maintains his side put on a good performance against the Warriors last weekend so the majority deserve to get another chance to tackle the Titans, who will be aiming to bounce back from a Round 1 loss.
“I hope they all come out and play to their potential, that’s all I ask,” Lowrie said.
“They need to come out and do their best.”
WHERE WILL IT BE WON
The Under 20s coach believes they need to stick to their own game plan, much like they did in their season opener against the Warriors.
Lowrie said the key to many more wins is being consistent which needs to start early in the season.
“The Titans will be out to get a win and won’t want to start the year with two losses,” he said.
“They’ll be keen to get their first win on the board and I’m expecting them to come out quite fiery.”
The Under 20s match is the first of three at McDonald Jones Stadium this Saturday.
