The first game on Saturday for NRL Round 13 is between Newcastle Knights and St George Illawarra Dragons. The opening bounce is set to commence at 5.30pm with the game to be played at Hunter Stadium. The favourite for the match is home team Newcastle Knights. View our preview and teams for the game between Newcastle Knights and St George Illawarra Dragons.
Featured Bookmakers:
Newcastle Knights $1.37 vs St George Illawarra Dragons $3.05 at Sportsbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match
Newcastle Knights $1.42 vs St George Illawarra Dragons $2.95 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match
Odds Comparison by NRL Odds:
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| Newcastle Knights | 1.37 | 1.42 | 1.42 | 1.42 | 1.38 | 1.36 |
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St George Illawarra Dragons
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3.05 | 2.95 | 2.95 | 2.95 | 3.05 | 3.00 |
Preview:
Despite getting out to an early lead of 12-0 inside the first twenty minutes of the game, the Knights were unable to hold off competition front-runners, South Sydney last week and were defeated 25-18.
It was the Knights’ third successive loss when playing away from home and they’ll be looking forward to getting back to Hunter Stadium where, from six games, they’ve won five with the only loss being by a point to Cronulla.
The Knights have averaged 29.2 points per game when playing at home and have scored 88 points more than their competitors thus far this season, who have struggled to score points; only have broke the 20 point mark, twice this season.
The Dragons have won one of their last six games with that win coming over the Parramatta Eels three weeks back.
Since then they were beaten 19-0 by Penrith before a much better performance against the Bulldogs last week, where Jamie Soward had the chance to tie up the game as the siren sounded with a dubious penalty.
Unfortunately for Soward and the Dragons, the kick missed and the Dragons were defeated 16-14.
It would have provided some much needed confidence for the Dragons and travelling to Hunter Stadium, even with a few key Knights’ players out, has not been an enviable task this year.
Teams:
New Zealand Warriors:
Kevin Locke, Glen Fisiiahi, Dane Nielsen, Konrad Hurrell, Manu Vatuvei, Thomas Leuluai, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapria, Nathan Friend, Russell Packer, Feleti Mateo, Simon Mannering (c), Elijah Taylor. Interchange: Ben Matulino, Jacob Lillyman, Sebastine Ikahihifo, Dominique Peyroux, Suaia Matagi
Manly Sea Eagles:
Peta Hiku, Jorge Taufua, Jamie Lyon (c), Steve Matai, David Williams, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Brenton Lawrence, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Justin Horo, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Tom Symonds, James Hasson, Jamie Buhrer, George Rose, David Gower
Korbin Sims re-signs with Knights
Newcastle have re-signed young forward Korbin Sims until the end of the 2015 NRL season.
The 21-year old joined the Knights in 2011 and played under-20s in his first two seasons before making his NRL debut in Round 3 this season.
Sims, who is the younger brother of North Queensland pair Tariq and Ashton Sims, said he was delighted to have secured his future with the club and the chance to continue to work under Wayne Bennett.
“I am excited about staying at the Knights for at least the next two years,” Sims said.
“This club and Wayne (Bennett) have given me my chance and I want to give back to the club and repay them for their faith.
“With the mix of the younger players coming through and the older boys in the side, there is a good feel about what is to come at the Knights.”
“My brothers are happy for me, they support my decision and know this is the best decision for my career.
“Hopefully I can play some good football over the next few years and make my family proud.”
