Knights v Dragons preview

Newcastle Knights v St. George Illawarra Dragons
Hunter Stadium - Saturday 7:30pm

Can the Knights continue their unbeaten start to the year or will the Dragons good form in Newcastle see them run out winners.


Having won their first four matches of the season for the first time since 2002, the Knights have received considerable media coverage in the lead up to this match. Having gone largely unnoticed over the first month of the competition, the Knights will have to contend with the weight of expectation for the first time since Wayne Bennett was brought to the club back in 2012. Boosted by the return of Tariq Sims from suspension, the former Cowboy comes in for the injured Robbie Rochow, offering significant impact to an already strong forward pack. Likewise, James McManus returns pushing Sione Mata'utia back onto the bench.

After a slow start to the year, the Dragons have bounced back to register wins over the Raiders and Sea Eagles. Historically the Dragons have achieved considerable success in Newcastle, winning nine of the past ten encounters at Hunter Stadium. After holding the highly regarded Manly to a single try, Paul McGregor's men will be out to keep up their impressive defensive performance against an equally stoic Knights side. After an embarrassing final round encounter last year, the Dragons will be out to make amends as the search for three straight wins since mid-2014.

Last meeting: Round 26 2014 - Newcastle Knights 40 St. George Illawarra Dragons 10

Who to watch: Having joined the Knights as one of the competitions premier front rowers in 2012, Kade Snowden has produced tremendous performances to start the year. Producing over 150 metres and 34 tackles a game; the off-contract forward will be out to prove he is worth retaining. With James Tamou struggling so far this year, the former New South Wales and Australian prop will also be out to enhance his claims for a representative recall for the first time since his time at Cronulla in 2011.

With so much hype surrounding his debut, Fijian winger Eto Nabuli has more than justified his place in the Dragons side. Cut from the Panthers NSW Cup side last year, the former hotel porter has found a home on the left wing, replacing club legend Brett Morris. In only four matches, Nabuli has run for in excess of 100 metres each time, whilst also standing up to the pressure put on him by opposition kickers. Facing up against fellow Fijian Akuila Uate, fans can expect a mouth-watering contest as the Dragons look to keep up their winning form.

The favourite: Newcastle have performed well to sit atop the NRL ladder, but with expectation suddenly on them, the Knights will have to be at their best to extend their streak to five.

My tip: With Akuila Uate only one try away from racking up a century of tries, expect the Knights to celebrate should they walk away with the Alex McKinnon Cup at the end of 80 minutes. Knights by 6.

1. Kurt Gidley 2. James McManus 3. Dane Gagai 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Akuila Uate 6. Jarrod Mullen 7. Tyrone Roberts 8. Kade Snowden 9. Adam Clydsdale 10. David Fa'alogo 11. Beau Scott 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jeremy Smith
Interchange: 14. Tyler Randell 15. Chris Houston 16. Paterika Vaivai 17. Jack Stockwell 18. Sione Mata'utia

1. Josh Dugan 2. Eto Nabuli 3. Euan Aitken 4. Dylan Farrell 5. Jason Nightingale 6. Gareth Widdop 7. Benji Marshall 8. Leeson Ah Mau 9. Mitch Rein 10. Mike Cooper 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Joel Thompson 13. Trent Merrin
Interchange: 14. George Rose 15. Jack de Belin 16. Jake Marketo 17. Heath L'Estrange 20. Rory O'Brien

Referees: Gavin Badger, Chris Sutton; Sideline Officials: Ricky MacFarlane, Dave Ryan; Video Referees: Steve Clark, Luke Patten;

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