Match Preview: Knights v Eels, Round Seven

Author: parraeels.com.au
Timestamp: Thu 25 Apr 2019, 12:43 PM

Sterlo's Parra Preview | Knights v Eels, Round Seven

The Parramatta Eels take on the Newcastle Knights in round seven of the NRL Telstra Premiership at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday 28 April.

Coming off a 51-6 victory over the Wests Tigers at Bankwest Stadium last week, Blue & Gold Head Coach Brad Arthur has made just the one change to that line up with winger Blake Ferguson named in the seventeen shifting Josh Hoffman back to the extended bench.

Manu Ma’u and George Jennings have been named on the extended bench along side Hoffman and prop Kane Evans.

For the opposition, Knights Head Coach Nathan Brown has stuck with the same seventeen that suffered a 38-14 defeat to the Gold Coast Titans last week.

Kalyn Ponga is at fullback with Connor Watson and Mitch Pearce in the halves and Danny Levi at hooker forming their spine.

The fullback had his best performance of the year since returning to the number one jersey last week, with 234 running metres, three line breaks and seven tackle breaks.

David Klemmer partners James Gavet in their front row with Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Mitch Barnett and Tim Glasby the back rowers and lock.

Historically, the Knights hold a slight head to head advantage with 29 wins from 51 clashes.

With just eight wins from 27 games at McDonald Jones Stadium, the Blue & Gold haven’t won in Newcastle since 2016.

The clash poses an interesting contest with the Blue & Gold looking to back up last week’s performance an emotion boosted victory over the Wests Tigers at the first NRL game at Bankwest Stadium whilst the Knights will be looking to improve on their 1-5 record to start the year and avoid their sixth straight loss.

Under pressure, the Knights will be looking to secure the two points in what will be their traditional Old Boy’s Day on Sunday afternoon.

The halves battle between Mitch Moses and Mitch Pearce will go a long way in determining the outcome of this clash. Moses has been in superb form in 2019 whilst Pearce has struggled to find the form that made him one of the top halfbacks.

Kick off is at 4:05pm.

Round 7 - Round 7 - Sunday 28 Apr

Full Time

Knights

Eels

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
Winger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee

Winger for Eels is number 2 Maika Sivo
Centre for Knights is number 3 Hymel Hunt

Centre for Eels is number 3 Michael Jennings
Centre for Knights is number 4 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Eels is number 4 Brad Takairangi
Winger for Knights is number 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall

Winger for Eels is number 5 Blake Ferguson
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Connor Watson

Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Jaeman Salmon
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Mitchell Pearce

Halfback for Eels is number 7 Mitchell Moses

Forwards

Prop for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer

Prop for Eels is number 10 Junior Paulo
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Danny Levi

Hooker for Eels is number 9 Reed Mahoney
Prop for Knights is number 16 Daniel Saifiti

Prop for Eels is number 14 Peni Terepo
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon

2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Shaun Lane
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Mitchell Barnett

2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Marata Niukore
Lock for Knights is number 13 Tim Glasby

Lock for Eels is number 13 Tepai Moeroa

Interchange

Interchange for Knights is number 10 James Gavet

Interchange for Eels is number 15 Tim Mannah
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Herman Ese'ese

Interchange for Eels is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Josh King

Interchange for Eels is number 17 Ray Stone
Interchange for Knights is number 20 Sione Mata'utia

Interchange for Eels is number 18 Manu Ma'u