Sunday’s second NRL Round 10 match is between Newcastle Knights and Canterbury Bulldogs with the opening kick to commence at 3:00pm local time. The game is to be played at Hunter Stadium but it’s the away team Canterbury Bulldogs who hold favouritism in the market. View our NRL live scores, odds and results for the game between Newcastle Knights and Canterbury Bulldogs.
WHERE AND WHEN: Hunter Stadium, Sunday 19th May, 3:00pm
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Preview:
It’s the Newcastle Knights vs Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs on Sunday, 3.00pm at Hunter Stadium. The Bulldogs will go into this one as favourites, with the Knights awful last week against the Raiders. In contrast, the Bulldogs seem to be gaining in confidence at the moment, with their bad start to the season fading into memory with each round. The big Canterbury pack are likely to dominate against the Knights, with Ben Barba also looking the goods at the moment.
Teams:
Newcastle Knights:
Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden, Kurt Gidley (c), Willie Mason, Robbie Rochow, Alex McKinnon, David Fa’alogo. Interchange: Travis Waddell, Neville Costigan, Adam Cuthbertson, Korbin Sims
Canterbury Bulldogs:
Ben Barba, Mitch Brown, Josh Morris, Krisnan Inu, Sam Perrett, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis (c), Sam Kasiano, Tony Williams, Frank Pritchard, Greg Eastwood. Interchange: Dene Halatau, Josh Jackson, James Graham, Dale Finucane, Martin Taupau, Tim Browne.
Heavy loss will spur on Knights, say Dogs
Canterbury believe the bounce-back-factor will ensure Newcastle are an even more formidable opponent, despite the Knights’ humiliating loss to Canberra last week.
And the Bulldogs should know, last year’s minor premiers have suffered a couple of humbling defeats themselves this year.
The Knights’ 44-14 loss to the Raiders prompted a silent response from coach Wayne Bennett – who dumped senior players Timana Tahu and Chris Houston and stopped talking to his team.
Bulldogs fullback Ben Barba says it is a sure sign that the Knights will be a dangerous outfit on Sunday.
“Losing the way they did will motivate any side as it did with us,” Barba said.
“I’m sure the two players that got dropped will be back bigger and better next time.
“…I’m sure they’ll be pretty disappointed with the way they played last week.
“Being back home up there in Newcastle I’m sure they’ll come out firing and wanting to really want to put in a good performance for their fans.
“We’ve really got to be on our game and take no notice of how they played last week because we know it will surely be a different side this week.”
Centre Josh Morris said Bennett was forced into making changes due to the severity of last week’s defeat.
“Obviously when you have a loss like that you’ve got to make a few changes and with a few senior blokes going there it gives a chance to someone a bit younger,” he said.
“They’ll probably take the opportunity with both hands.”
The Knights have been boosted by the return of five-eighth Jarrod Mullen from a knee complaint.
Mullen is a crucial member of the Newcastle playmaking core, and their attack certainly lacked structure after he went off late in the loss to Cronulla and the following week against the Raiders.
“Jarrod’s a really good player. He adds so much to the Newcastle side,” Canterbury halfback Trent Hodkinson said.
“We’re going to have to be marking him up really well.
“He’s got a great kicking game and a great passing game. He’s obviously one of their dangermen.”