We take a look at Saturday’s (6/7/2019) NRL 2019 Week 16 match is between Newcastle Knights and New Zealand Warriors. New Zealand go into the match as favourites but we are keen on the Knights to cause a bit of an upset.
When: Saturday July 6, 7:35pm
Where: McDonald Jones Stadium
Bet: Bet On This Match HERE
Preview:
The high flying Knights will be without two of their best forwards for this round 16 match against the Warriors but will fancy themselves to knock off the sliding Kiwi side on Saturday night. Daniel Saifiti has been rewarded for his strong play in Origin game two with a start in game three, with back rower Tim Glasby to line up for Queensland. Winger Edrick Lee is out with a broken arm in the only other change for Newcastle. It’s not panic stations for the Warriors despite languishing in 12th spot on the table. They somehow lost to the Panthers at home last round, despite playing a quarter of the game with a man advantage and a 16-6 lead. Hooker Issac Luke has been recalled and named in the 14 jersey off the bench.
The Knights got the job done against New Zealand in round 8 in Auckland, crushing the Kiwi side 36-18. Newcastle completed at a staggering 91 per cent on that day and it will be a tall order for them to replicate that this weekend. They weren’t at their best against Brisbane in round 15 but came away with a 26-12 win against the porous Broncs. Mason Lino’s combination with Mitchell Pearce was stellar, so look for that to trouble a leaky New Zealand defence.
The Knights’ defence has really sured up this season and they have conceded the third least points through 15 games of any club in the competition in 2019. That is a stark contrast to years past where they were a diabolical defence outfit. They are priced very generously against the Warriors, given their minimal disruption from Origin. The Wolf sees their home fans alone as being worth a four-point start and the team from the Hunter should roll in this one.
Odds:
Tip: Newcastle Knights at $2.08
Value Tip: First Try Scorer: Connor Watson at $15.00
Teams:
Knights: 1. Connor Watson 2. Hymel Hunt 3. Kurt Mann 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Mason Lino 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. James Gavet 9. Danny Levi 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Sione Mata’utia 13. David Klemmer 14. Jamie Buhrer 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. Josh King 17. Pasami Saulo 18. Aidan Guerra 19. Brodie Jones 20. Tex Hoy 21. Tautau Moga
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Peta Hiku 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Blake Green 8. Agnatius Paasi 9. Karl Lawton 10. Leeson Ah Mau 11. Adam Blair 12. Isaiah Papalii 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Issac Luke 15. Bunty Afoa 16. Sam Lisone 17. Lachlan Burr 18. Gerard Beale 20. Ligi Sao 21. Leivaha Pulu 22. Chanel Harris-Tavita
*Odds correct at time of posting. Subject to change