There’s been no shortage of interest in our boys this week.
The nib Newcastle Knights attracted plenty of media attention after their epic week over the bunnies, and we’ve pulled together some of it in case you missed it.
Knights push out gritty win over Souths
Watson's challenging change
Connor Watson proved himself a man of many talents against the bunnies.
He hasn’t played much hooker. In fact, it was the first time he has ever started in the no. 9 in first grade.
Before that it was just two games in hooker in the 20s.
He made the positional switch to cover Danny Levi who’s out injured.
But it was almost like he’d be playing there his whole career.
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43 tackles, 116 run metres, seven tackle break and a sneaky try out of dummy half. Impressive.
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Watson told Triple M’s NRL Saturday it was tough going but he enjoyed the change.
“It was a bit of a different challenge,” Watson added.
“I knew that the work rate was going to be pretty tough.
“It’s the legs, they get really heavy with repeat tackling.
'I was pretty scared of the Raging Bull'
“It’s a position that I do enjoy, and we’ve got a great side, especially a great forward pack to play behind.
“It’s good because it allows me to play that natural running game.”
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Made even more difficult when four players got sent to the sin bin.
“When it was 11/11, that’s when it got really tough,” Watson said.
“If we had stayed with 13 on 13, I reckon I would have been able to get to 80 (minutes) but just got too tired when it got to less numbers on the field.”
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Captain in the mix
Meanwhile Mitchell Pearce continues to be the centre of many conversations surrounding Origin II.
Will the 30-year-old be in the mix to take the Blues to a win?
On Fox Sports, Blues advisor Greg Alexander confirmed the Knights captain is available for selection and is being considered for the next Origin clash.
“We’ve spoken about Mitchell Pearce for the last six weeks because he’s been in such good form,” Alexander told Yvonne Sampson and Braith Anasta.
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“I know Freddy approached him after the Roosters game a fortnight ago, but he had a groin problem.
“That’s wasn’t to say whether Mitchell Pearce was going to be in the side or not, but just to talk to him about Origin because Mitchell has been there and done it.
“At stages it hasn’t been fantastic for him but I’m pretty sure Mitchell Pearce is available for Origin II for NSW and we’ll just see how things pan out.
“Everyone is in the frame.”
