Match Preview: NSW Cup Round 2 vs Knights

The Sea Eagles opened their season with a 28-26 victory over the Canberra Raiders last Saturday in a cliffhanger.

Their opponents this week are competition leaders Newcastle Knights, who thumped the South Sydney Rabbitohs 52-10 in Cessnock.

The Knights led just 12-6 at half-time before piling on the points in a nine-tries-to- two blitz. Full-back Connor Votano finished with 20 points through a try and eight goals from nine attempts.

Under the guidance of new coach in former NSW and Australian half-back Brett Kimmorley, the Sea Eagles played an up-tempo style of game against the Raiders on the back of plenty of energy and aggression in defence.

The Sea Eagles got off to a strong start to lead 16-6 at half-time through tries to winger Blake Wilson, prop Paul Bryan, and centre Josh Feledy.

Manly jumped to a 28-16 lead after 60 minutes through tries to hooker Zaidas Muagututia and Willett before the Raiders stormed home with two tries to make it 28-26.

Fortunately for the Sea Eagles, Coby Black missed the conversion from the sideline with seconds left.

Manly hooker and captain Brandon Wakeham led by example with 28 tackles and had a busy game, including putting up a kick for tall young winger Navren Willett to score. Wakeham also kicked four goals from five.

At just 21, Willett is showing the benefits of a good pre-season with the NRL squad, finishing the game with the most run metres (130).

The Knights will no doubt keep a close eye on Willett, who scored a hat-trick against them last year. He finished the NSW Cup season with 13 tries from 13 games.