Knights v Broncos: No place like home; Close eye on Origin stars
The Newcastle Knights are out to keep in touch with the top eight as they return home to host the Broncos on Saturday night.
The two sides are coming off last-start losses and are desperate to keep their finals hopes alive with just eight rounds remaining in the regular season.
Newcastle currently sit 10th on 20 points, with Brisbane down in 13th on 18 points. Such is the cluttered nature of the competition, just four points separate the eighth-placed Cowboys (22 points) and 15th-placed Rabbitohs (18 points).
The means Saturday's clash at McDonald Jones Stadium is crucial for both sides as they look to make a run to the finals.
The Knights were comprehensively beaten by Manly in Round 19, falling 44-6 as the Sea Eagles backs ran rampant.
Coach Adam O'Brien hopes to welcome back a trio of Origin stars, with Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai and Bradman Best all in the mix to back up after Wednesday's decider.
The Broncos were also undermanned in their loss to the Dragons and have four representative stars of their own looking to return this weekend as they look to snap a six-game losing streak.
Match: Knights v Broncos
Round 20 -
home Team
Knights
10th Position
away Team
Broncos
13th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Stat Attack
- The Knights have won only two of their past nine games against the Broncos at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- The Broncos have won their past four games against the Knights.
- Long-serving Knights hooker Jayden Brailey has lost all six games against the Broncos.
- Broncos centre Selwyn Cobbo has scored eight tries in four games against the Knights.
- Knights centre Bradman Best has scored four tries in his past five NRL games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
