Knights v Tigers preview

Newcastle Knights v Wests Tigers
Hunter Stadium - Sunday 4:00pm

The Tigers have named an unchanged 17 from the team that was solidly beaten by the Roosters last weekend. With one of the youngest sides in the competition, and especially one of the youngest spines, the Tigers season was always going to be up and down - but I think most punters predicted more ups than the Tigers have enjoyed so far in 2015. They'll be looking to lift this weekend, and hoping that the Knights poor form from the past five weeks will continue.

The Knights have made one change, with Joey Tapine being replaced by Jack Stockwell, who returns after missing last week's game due to a virus. Tyler Randell retains his spot as starting hooker, after looking like a shining light in a particularly dim performance from his side last weekend. With Jarrod Mullen being ruled out for 5-6 weeks, Kurt Gidley will again partner Tyrone Roberts in the halves. This change reshuffles the backline, with Dane Gagai moving to fullback and Sione Mata'utia starting in the centres. Gagai, who was scintillating as a fullback in the lower grades, will be looking to make the position his own. Mullen's injury also allows young Mata'utia to start in the centres, which is his best position at this stage of his career.

Knights' fans have been calling for Coach Rick Stone to wield the axe after some insipid performances in recent weeks. The problem for Stone is, who do you drop, and who do you replace them with? It's all well and good to call for players to be dropped, but when the lower grade players aren't putting their hand up for a start, it puts the Coaching stuff in an unwinnable situation.

In terms of milestones, Tigers prop Ava Seumanufagai will play his 50th NRL game.

Last meeting: Round 13 2014 - Newcastle Knights 20 Wests Tigers 23

Who to watch: The battle between the props should be entertaining in this game. Kade Snowden for the Knights has been in arguably career best form, although his stats have suffered slightly in recent weeks. Snowden averages over 100m per game, and consistently makes 35+ tackles. His performance is crucial to a side that is not known for it's bruising forward packs. On the opposite side of the field, Aaron Woods lines up for the Tigers. Woods, an automatic lock-in for the NSW side in many people's minds, will be looking to cause havoc. With the impressive stats of almost 200 metres every game from 20+ hitups, his workload is huge for a big man.

Both men are ably supported by their forward packs, the Knights through Beau Scott, Jeremy Smith and the Sims brothers, and the Tigers through Keith Galloway, Ava Seumanufagai, Sauaso Sue and of course Martin Taupau.

The favourite: There's been very little interest in this game from a punting point of view. The Knights are slight favourites, but surely that's more to do with them playing at home, as opposed to any reflection of their performances.

My tip: I've said it for about 3 weeks, but surely the Knights are due for a win. The loss of Mullen will hurt, but I think the home crowd will do enough to just get their side home. Knights by 2.

1. Dane Gagai 2. James McManus 3. Sione Mata'utia 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Akuila Uate 6. Kurt Gidley 7. Tyrone Roberts 8. Kade Snowden 9. Tyler Randell 10. David Fa'alogo 11. Beau Scott 12. Tariq Sims 13. Jeremy Smith
Interchange: 14. Adam Clydsdale 15. Chris Houston 16. Korbin Sims 17. Jack Stockwell 18. Joseph Tapine

1. James Tedesco 2. Kevin Naiqama 3. Delouise Hoeter 4. Chris Lawrence 5. Pat Richards 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Luke Brooks 8. Aaron Woods 9. Robbie Farah 10. Keith Galloway 11. Curtis Sironen 12. Kyle Lovett 13. Martin Taupau
Interchange: 14. Dene Halatau 15. Ava Seumanufagai 16. Matthew Lodge 17. Sauaso Sue

Referees: Gavin Badger, Ashley Klein; Sideline Officials: Nick Beashel, Tim Roby; Video Referees: Jared Maxwell, Steve Folkes;

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