Cronulla Sharks vs Newcastle Knights 2014 NRL Round 18 preview, tips and teams

What an unbelievable week it was for the Sharks.

A stunning win over the Broncos in round 16 after trailing 16 – 0 at halftime, was brought undone 48 hours by the Todd Carney scandal.

The day after that news broke, the interim Coach Peter Sharp stood down with his place being taken by the third Cronulla Coach of the season, Jamie Shepherd.

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After this debacle and without Captain Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis, the Sharks were given literally now chance of defeating the Roosters last week, who gave the Sharks 22.5 points head start.

Twenty minutes into the game, it appeared that the line was going to be well and truly covered with the Roosters leading 18 – 0 and then 24 – 6 at the break.

Then, as they did against the Broncos, the Sharks came back on the field a different team – or did the Roosters? Either way, the Sharks recorded one of if not the most remarkable win in the Clubs history, winning 30 – 28.

After the last two weeks – both away and in the face of plenty of drama, who is not to the say the Sharks can’t record three in a row?

The play it at Remondis, have Gallen and Lewis named in the side to back up from Origin and take on the Knights, who like themselves, have struggled most of the year.

KNIGHTS

The Knights added to the Cowboys poor away record when they registered only their third win of the season in round 15, defeating the North Queensland side 36 – 28.

The consolidated that win by inflicting the first home defeated on the Parramatta Eels in round 16, 16 – 10.

The Knights hadn’t been far off the mark prior to these wins with three of their previous six games decided by less than four points but now that they’ve got the much needed confidence that comes after a few wins, they’ll be eye-balling three straight victories as well.

The Knights have gone with basically the same side that has been successful in recent weeks, including Origin winger Darius Boyd and second-rower Beau Scott both being named in the line- up.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Sharks only win over the Knights in their past eight clashes was a one-point victory in 2013.

Outside of that, the Knights have dominated and they were able to keep the Sharks scoreless (30 – 0) when the sides met earlier this year.

In each of these games, three of which have been played at Remondis, the Knights have led at the break so the Knights halftime/fulltime double, could be the way to go again.

Despite this match being fourteenth versus sixteenth, with both teams coming of back-to-back wins, we should see an entertaining and close contest.

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Teams:

SHARKS: Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Jonathan Wright, Ricky Leutele, Jacob Gagan, Fa’amanu Brown, Jeff Robson, Sam Tagataese, Michael Lichaa, Bryce Gibbs, Luke Lewis, Wade Graham, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Pat Politoni, Siosaia Vave, Tinirau Arona, Anthony Tupou, Tim Robinson, Tupou Sopoaga.

KNIGHTS: Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joseph Leilua, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Kurt Gidley, Kade Snowden, Adam Clydsdale, Willie Mason, Beau Scott, Robbie Rochow, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Tyrone Roberts, Chris Houston, Adam Cuthbertson, Korbin Sims, David Fa’alogo, Joseph Tapine.

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