Round 8: Newcastle v Sydney Roosters preview
Knights look to make a statement against Roosters
The Newcastle Knights will be looking to claim a major scalp when they host the Sydney Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday evening.
Heading into Round 8 in 10th position following three wins and four losses, the Newcastle Knights will be aiming to get the better of a top eight team after a gallant, but ultimately costly, showing last week.
Remaining in the contest last Thursday until the Panthers broke away in the final quarter to win 24-6, Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien will be hoping for more opportunities to use the ball in attacking territory after the side spent much of last week coming out of their own end.
Holding a poor record against the Tricolours in Newcastle with just five wins from 18 clashes throughout the NRL era, the home side will be hoping to replicate their iconic performance during Indigenous Round two years ago where Mitchell Pearce famously kissed the Knights' crest in a dominant 38-12 victory.
Naming an unchanged line-up with Lachlan Fitzgibbon and Tex Hoy named on an extended bench after recovering from injury, Saturday night will see interchange forward Sauaso Sue play his 150th game in the NRL and David Klemmer reach his 50th appearance for the club.
Coming off a morale-boosting win on ANZAC Day, the Sydney Roosters will have their sights set on moving into the top four.
Overpowering the Dragons 34-10 last Sunday to remain in fifth position with five wins and two losses, Sydney coach Trent Robinson will be striving to continue a dominant record against the Knights during his tenure following 11 wins from 13 previous fixtures.
James Tedesco has been named at fullback despite failing a HIA last week due to foul play, while Siosiua Taukieaho will return off the bench after missing last week with injured ribs.
After being named in the Roosters 21-man squad on two previous occasions this season, teenage talent Joseph Suaalii could be in line to make his highly anticipated debut should Tedesco fail to pass concussion protocols prior to game day.
Last meeting: Round 18 2020 - Roosters 42 Knights 12
Who to watch: Finding his feet at lock-forward after spending the bulk of his career acting as a Mr Fix-it, Connor Watson has provided the Knights with plenty of impact upon returning from injury. Missing all but five matches last season due to a ruptured achilles, the 25-year-old has averaged over 100 metres while holding his own defensively with 31 tackles per game. Facing off against the club that gave him his start in the top grade back in 2016, expect Watson to be heavily involved on Saturday evening as the Knights look to turn the tide against the Tricolours.
Some may decry labelling a current player as one of the greatest of all time, but on current form it is hard to deny Brett Morris such a title. Sitting fourth on the all-time try-scorers list with 176 four-pointers in 275 appearances, the 34-year-old winger has been in form belying his age this season after producing 11 tries, 150 metres each week and 21 tackle breaks over the opening rounds. While his try-scoring feats put him in a league of his own, Morris has enjoyed limited potency against the Knights with just four tries from 16 previous clashes.
The favourite: Boasting an emphatic historical record in Newcastle along with a strong run of form in recent weeks, the Roosters are favoured to emerge from McDonald Jones Stadium with a win.
My tip: Having fallen short against the best team in the league last week, the support of the Newcastle faithful may inspire the Knights to an important win in the context of their season. Newcastle by 6.
