Sea Eagles v Knights: Prop star Kobe; Sandon at the ready
The Sea Eagles will be looking to dust off their feathers and regroup following their one-point loss to the Raiders, taking on Round 1 winners the Knights.
Manly started well with their new-look side without long-term halfback and captain Daly Cherry-Evans, racing out to a 14-6 lead by halftime.
However, they could not maintain their composure, allowing Canberra back into the match which was pushed into golden point extra time, with rookie Raiders halfback slotting the winning field goal.
Under new coach Justin Holbrook, the Knights started their season with a bang, taking the two points over the Cowboys in Las Vegas.
The victory was their first since Round 16 last year - but did come at a cost with five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe sustaining a knee injury set to keep him out until Round 3.
However Star recruit Sandon Smith was able to step up in the match played a leading role in guiding the side to the ground-breaking win.
Match: Sea Eagles v Knights
Round 2 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
10th Position
away Team
Knights
5th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Sea Eagles: Broncos premiership winner Kobe Hetherington will start at prop with Siosiua Taukeiaho nursing a calf injury. After playing one NRL game at Newcastle last year, prop Paul Bryan is set for his club debut off the bench. Young gun Joey Walsh has again been named in the No.14 as he chases a second NRL appearance. Brandon Wakeham and Josh Feledy round out the extended bench.
Knights: Sandon Smith takes over in the No.6 jersey with Fletcher Sharpe facing another week on the sidelines with a knee injury. Back-rower Francis Manuleleua has been added to the bench and is line for his NRL debut. Tyson Frizell is named to start at lock but may swap with Mat Croker on game day as he did in Las Vegas.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom TrbojevicFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason SaabWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau KoulaCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Reuben GarrickCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
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Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi HopoateWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
-
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke BrooksFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Sandon Smith
-
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Knights is number 7 Dylan Brown
Forwards
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela PasekaProp for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
-
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake SimpkinHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Kobe HetheringtonProp for Knights is number 10 Trey Mooney
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jermaine McEwen
-
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jake TrbojevicLock for Knights is number 13 Tyson Frizell
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Joey WalshInterchange for Knights is number 14 Thomas Cant
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Nathan BrownInterchange for Knights is number 15 Mat Croker
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Paul BryanInterchange for Knights is number 17 Francis Manuleleua
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 18 Brandon WakehamInterchange for Knights is number 18 Fletcher Hunt
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 19 Josh FeledyInterchange for Knights is number 19 Harrison Graham
Reserves
-
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 20 Corey WaddellReserve for Knights is number 20 Tyson Gamble
-
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 21 Jackson SherebReserve for Knights is number 21 Cody Hopwood
-
Reserve for Sea Eagles is number 22 Simione LaiafiReserve for Knights is number 22 James Schiller
Sea Eagles Ins
- Brandon Wakeham
- Jackson Shereb
- Josh Feledy
- Paul Bryan
- Simione Laiafi
Knights Ins
- Cody Hopwood
- Harrison Graham
- James Schiller
- Tyson Gamble
Sea Eagles Outs
- Clayton Faulalo
- Siosiua Taukeiaho
Knights Ins
- Fletcher Sharpe
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Sea Eagles have won only one of their past four games against Newcastle.
- The Knights have won only four of 23 games at 4 Pines Park.
- Sea Eagles centre Tolu Koula has scored a try in 10 consecutive games at 4 Pines Park.
- Knights winger Greg Marzhew has scored six tries in seven games against the Sea Eagles.
- Sea Eagles second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu has scored five tries in his last six games against the Knights.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
