2020 NRL – Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos taking place? Thursday 18th June, 2020 – 10:50 (UK)
Where is Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos taking place? Central Coast Stadium, Central Coast
What is the expected weather for Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos? 14c, partly cloudy
What channel is Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here
Where can I stream Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL
Where can I get tickets for Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos? Click here for ticket information on 2020 NRL matches
THE TEAM NEWS
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Starting 13: Ponga, Lee, Tuala, Best, Hunt, Mann, Pearce, Klemmer, McCullough, D. Saifiti, Fitzgibbon, Mata’utia, Ese’ese – Interchanges: Hoy, J. Saifiti, Glasby, Guerra – Reserves: Shibasaki, Saulo
Unavailable: Mitch Barnett (Injured), Jayden Brailey (Injured), Connor Watson (Injured)
- Newcastle Knights were punished for an error-strewn first half against Melbourne Storm last week which saw the Knights suffer their first loss of the 2020 season, although their second half performance will give them belief that they have plenty to work with this campaign.
- The Knights ended the game with double the number of errors than the Storm which proved crucial as they kept handing their opponents the ball and the weight of pressure told in the first half as they went into the break trailing 2-18.
- Despite showing some real character to make a game of it in the second period, Newcastle were unable to do enough to maintain their unbeaten record and they will be boosted by the return of Lachlan Fitzgibbon for this match with Aiden Guerra reverting to the bench and Brodie Jones dropping out of the 17.
BRISBANE BRONCOS
Starting 13: Isaako, Oates, Farnworth, Boyd, Coates, Milford, Croft, Lodge, Paix, Haas, Glenn, Pangai Jnr., Carrigan – Interchanges: Niu, Te’o, Ofahengaue, Flegler – Reserves: Luke, Dearden
Unavailable: Jack Bird (Injured), Jordan Kahu (Injured), Sean O’Sullivan (Injured), Keenan Palasia (Injured), David Fifita (Injured), Jake Turpin (Injured), Kotoni Staggs (Injured)
- Brisbane Broncos were left to rue a controversial decision by the Bunker to overturn a try that would have handed them a 22-point lead with a kick to come against Manly Sea Eagles and that proved to be a turning point in the game as the Broncos were unable to hang on to a big scoreboard advantage.
- Leading 0-18 in what was a solid first half showing after two abysmal displays on the spin, the Broncos looked set for victory but visibly tired as the game progressed as the Sea Eagles’ 12 extra sets weighed heavily on the Brisbane defence and they ended up losing 20-18.
- As they attempt to end their three-match losing streak, Brisbane will have to cope without Kotoni Staggs who suffered a hamstring injury in training but Tevita Pangai Jnr. is back from a ban while new signing Issac Luke is set to be a late inclusion in the 17 after he was named among the reserves.
THE PREDICTION
Brisbane Broncos put in a much-improved display in last week’s clash with Manly Sea Eagles but suffered another psychological blow as they were unable to see out the win despite leading by 18 points to nil in the closing stages of the first half. They now face a Newcastle Knights side that lost their first game of the campaign last week and they will be eager to respond in this contest. The Knights will believe they can do just that but this is likely to be an open game and the points are expected to flow with at least 38 probable here.
