The battle of fullbacks Anthony Minichiello and Darius Boyd looms as the crucial matchup in the Sydney Roosters home NRL clash against Newcastle on Sunday.
With the Knights squad depleted after a bruising Monday night encounter with Penrith which claimed stars Kurt Gidley and Danny Buderus, Boyd will need to find his best form to lend a hand in the playmaking department.
Knights five-eighth Jarrod Mullen will need to quickly strike up a combination with youngster Tyrone Roberts, but Boyd’s ability to chime in and gain results from the back will be vital.
The Queensland and Australian regular has been consistent this season, but has struggled to produce the match-winning performances which made him such a dominant force at former club St George Illawarra.
Mullen has been one of the Knight’s best performers in the early rounds of the season and coach Wayne Bennett will be hoping his No.6 and Boyd thrive under the added responsibility brought on by Gidley and Buderus’ absence.
Minichiello meanwhile, has wound back the clock for the Roosters this year, and will need to lead the way for a side who will no doubt be rattled by their heartbreaking ANZAC Day loss to St George Illawarra.
The veteran 31-year-old laughed off suggestions that the shootout with Maroons star Boyd is a personal Origin selection trial, but did emphasise that he is still willing and able to play for NSW should he fit into coach Ricky Stuart’s plans.
“Obviously Darius is a very good player but this is the NRL you play a good fullback every week,” said Minichiello, who made an unexpected return to the Origin arena last year under Stuart.
“There’s plenty of good fullbacks running around who are eligible for NSW.”
He also told Channel Nine: “My form this year has been better than last year … I’d love to be there (for the Blues), there’s no doubt about that, I’ve said it all along.”
Minichiello, who announced on Friday he has agreed to a new one-year deal with the Roosters, will play his 236th premiership game on Sunday, trailing only Luke Ricketson for most games at the club.
“It’s great to have my future sorted and now I can move on and enjoy the rest of the season,” Minichiello said.
“My body’s feeling fine at the moment and it’s exciting times at the Roosters with plenty of promising youngsters.”
One of those young lights is Joseph Leilua who has also recently re-signed with the club.
The bullocking centre impressed with an outstanding debut match for City, and will be looking to further his claims for a bolter sky blue jersey with another strong game against the Knights.
Both the seventh placed Knights and 10th placed Roosters are amongst a host of teams logjammed on the table with eight competition points. They’ll be looking for a confidence boosting victory to stay in touch with competition leaders Melbourne.
