Round 3: Knights v Wests Tigers preview
Contrasting fortunes meet in Pearce's 300th
The Newcastle Knights will be looking to continue their unbeaten start to the season when they host the winless Wests Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Sitting in 4th position following two promising wins to open the season, the Newcastle Knights will have plenty to play for as halfback Mitchell Pearce brings up 300 appearances in the NRL.
Coming from behind to snatch a 20-16 victory over the Warriors last week, coach Adam O'Brien will be hoping his side can open a season with three straight wins for only the sixth time in history.
Starting the year with strong results in set completions (88%), offloads (24) and line breaks (10), the Knights have been especially disciplined conceding just four penalties and missing the fewest number of tackles (35).
Regaining the services of Kurt Mann at five-eighth after recovering from bone bruising sustained in the opening round, forward Brodie Jones has retained his place on the interchange despite failing to see any game time last week.
Backing up a disappointing opening round showing with an embarrassing performance at home last week, the Wests Tigers will be approaching Sunday afternoon as a win-at-all-costs fixture.
Outclassed in every facet of the game during last week's 40-6 loss to the Roosters, coach Michael Maguire will be demanding greater accountability and execution from his players as they stare down the prospect of starting a year with three straight losses for only the second time in history.
Holding a strong record a McDonald Jones Stadium in recent years with three wins from their past four visits, the joint venture will need to drastically improve in both areas of the game after missing 69 tackles and scoring the equal fewest number of tries.
Welcoming back exciting recruit James Roberts (shoulder) and front-rower Zane Musgrove (suspension), Joseph Leilua has paid the penalty for missing seven tackles last week by being dropped to the extended squad.
Last meeting: Round 13 2020 - Knights 44 Wests Tigers 4
Who to watch: Set to become the 42nd member of the 300 club on Sunday afternoon, Newcastle halfback Mitchell Pearce will be looking to mark his milestone match with a win. Debuting for the Roosters at age 17 in 2007, the 31-year-old has enjoyed a storied career littered with the highs of premiership glory and the lows of multiple off-field indiscretions. Beginning the season in fine form with two try-assists and a forced restart, Pearce has revelled against the Tigers throughout his career winning 16 out of 22 clashes.
Returning after spending a week on the sidelines nursing a shoulder issue, major off-season acquisition James Roberts will be raring to make up for lost time. Enduring a challenging run with injury, form and coaches in the years since he made his debut for New South Wales, the 28-year-old speedster has retained the scintillating speed that saw him debut in first grade mere months after becoming an adult. Renown for his ability to find the line having averaged just under a try every two matches, Roberts shapes as a player capable of breaking the game wide open with a piece of play that can't be coached.
The favourite: Winning their past six matches at home dating back to last season's big win over the joint venture, the Knights have been heavily backed to continue their winning ways.
My tip: The Tigers are more than capable of causing an upset, but on current form it's hard to see the Knights slipping up on home soil if they want to improve upon last season. Newcastle by 20.
