The semi-finals have come early for these two desperate sides.
The Wests Tigers have the slight historical edge, winning 15 of their 28 encounters, however the nib Newcastle Knights will be looking to atone for their two point loss in their most recent encounter just under a month ago.
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With a top eight spot potentially on the line, it’s all or nothing for both sides.
Hymel Hunt vs David Nofoaluma
The battle on the flanks will be crucial to the outcome of this game.
Hunt has been a handy addition to the Knights roster this season, with his eight tries and seven line breaks causing trouble for opposition sides all season.
He has also run for 2400 metres, with many of those coming as a result of Hunt’s impressive work ethic, with the 25 year old constantly helping his forwards bring the ball out of trouble.
Lachlan Fitzgibbon vs Michael Chee-Kam
The clash of the dynamic second-rowers.
While Lachlan Fitzgibbon has had a quieter year on the try scoring front in 2019, it hasn’t stopped him from being a damaging force on the Knights’ left edge.
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Fitzgibbon has been just as solid in the Knights defensive line, completing 92% of all the tackles he’s committed to this season.
Herman Ese’ese vs Elijah Taylor
There’s no denying the effect Herman Ese’ese has on a tiring pack at the back end of each half.
Ese’ese’s massive impact coming off the Knights bench can be seen quite clearly through not only his 1216 run metres, but also his 6 offloads, which provide the Knights with consistent go forward against tiring teams.
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