Can Jarryd Hayne and the Parramatta Eels continue their charge towards the finals against the unpredictable Knights?
Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels at Hunter Stadium, Saturday 3pm
Head to Head: Broncos 18 Dragons 13
Last clash: Round 4 2014 - Broncos 36 bt Dragons 20 at WIN Stadium
Ladbrokes: Knights $2.40, Eels $1.60
Betfair: Knights $2.42, Eels $1.61
Michael Chammas writes: This is the type of game Parramatta have to win if they are serious about finals football. There's no point knocking over Manly if you can't win the games you are expected to win. The Knights are capable of an upset but the Eels have plenty of confidence at the moment.
Tip: Eels by 12
AAP writes: The Eels are soaring towards the finals on the wings of the Hayne Plane. They've won four from their last five, yet will still need to win their final two matches to lock up a top eight berth. They overran competition leaders Manly 22-12 last week, and will be extra buoyed for this match after naming an unchanged side. Newcastle may be out of finals contention, but they'll relish the role of heartbreakers. Despite a thumping from Brisbane last week, the 14th placed Knights have won six from their last nine starts, and will once again have Jarrod Mullen returning at five-eighth, replacing Michael Dobson. Timana Tahu joins the bench for his first NRL game this season.
Key: Jarryd Hayne, again. The Eels' fullback has racked up mind-boggling stats in his past five outings, averaging 246 metres and 1.4 tries per match.
All out for warm up at Hunter Stadium #goKnights #NRLnewpar pic.twitter.com/sxmtcYbFIJ — Newcastle Knights (@NRLKnights) August 30, 2014
LATE MAIL | Waddell to starting hooker for Clydsdale: http://t.co/wwZRJiSxRW #NRLnewpar #goKnights — Newcastle Knights (@NRLKnights) August 30, 2014
The players are out on the field and kick off is just seconds away.
We're underaway and the short kick-off by the Knights goes awry and the Eels get a penalty. The visitors are 10 metres out with a full set of six.
