The second of Sunday’s NRL Round 8 matches is between Newcastle Knights and Cronulla Sharks. The game is set to commence at 2:00pm local time with the game to be played at the Hunter Stadium. Home team Newcastle Knights go into the match as the clear favourites in the market. View our preview and teams for the game between Newcastle Knights and Cronulla Sharks.

Hunter Stadium

Sunday, 2pm

Featured Bookmakers:

Newcastle Knights $1.36 vs Cronulla Sharks $3.20 at Sportsbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Newcastle Knights $1.33 vs Cronulla Sharks $3.40 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Odds Comparison by NRL Odds:

Newcastle Knights	1.36	1.36	1.33	1.36	1.36	1.37
Cronulla Sharks	3.20	3.25	3.40	3.25	3.20	3.20

Preview:

Newcastle are coming off a very good win, their first away win of the season, against the Gold Coast Titans last week where they ran in five tries in their 30-6 victory.

That was win number five for the season and they’ll be looking to keep their 4-0 record when playing at home this year, especially when this is one of only three home games until the end of June.

Darius Boyd and Akuila Uate (who has scored eight tries this season) combined for 392 metres last week and continue to create havoc for the Knight’s opposition off the back of a solid platform laid down by the Knights forward pack.

They’re going quietly about their business the Knights – just how Bennett likes it.

Nothing quiet about the Sharks’ season unfortunately though, all the noise is around off field issues and it appears to be taking its toll on players who have lost their last four games.

Last week they faced a Club who also has had their fare share of off-field drama in the Canterbury Bulldogs but blew several golden opportunities to register points during the match before going down 24-8.

Things won’t get any easier for the Sharks who have haven’t registered a win against the Knights since Round 7, 2010.

The Sharks just aren’t playing with confidence at the moment whereas the Knights are.

Teams:

Newcastle Knights:
Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Timana Tahu, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, Kade Snowden, Kurt Gidley (c), Willie Mason, Robbie Rochow, Alex McKinnon, Chris Houston
Interchange: Travis Waddell, Neville Costigan, Adam Cuthbertson, David Fa’alogo, Korbin Sims (one to be omitted)

Cronulla Sharks:
Michael Gordon, Nathan Stapleton, Ben Pomeroy, Jonathan Wright, Beau Ryan, Todd Carney, Jeff Robson, Andrew Fifita, John Morris, Ben Ross, Luke Lewis, Wade Graham, Paul Gallen (c)
Interchange: Chris Heighington, Jayson Bukuya, Isaac De Gois, Anthony Tupou, Sam Tagataese (one to be omitted)

Sharks’ Graham interviewed by ASADA

Cronulla back-rower Wade Graham on Monday became the first player interviewed by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority as it investigates possible use of banned drugs by the NRL club in 2011.

Graham fronted investigators in the city a day after his side’s 24-8 defeat by Canterbury, their fourth straight loss.

It’s understood Graham was the only player to be interviewed on Monday as ASADA investigators tested the waters on the process, with at least nine more expected to face interviews in coming days.

ASADA is investigating use of peptides in the club’s supplements regime during the 2011 season, while sports scientist Stephen Dank was employed by the club.

Dank has strongly maintained he never recommended any banned substance.

Graham joined the Sharks at the start of 2011.

There is no suggestion the former Penrith junior has done anything wrong.