Match Preview

With Kalyn Ponga at his electric best and Daniel Saifiti leading the way up front, the Knights led 20-12 lead with 12 minutes to play and were on track for just their second away win of the of the season before the Broncos conjured two late tries to escape 24-20.

The loss leaves the Knights one win outside the top eight and one point behind the Roosters, who are coming off a demoralising loss to the Panthers on home soil at Allianz Stadium.

While North Queensland will take the field refreshed from a Round 15 bye, the Panthers head to Townsville on the back of a comprehensive, but physically taxing, 30-6 victory over the Roosters. 

Penrith haven't lost a game in six weeks, while the Cowboys' last performance – a 45-20 win over the Storm – was arguably their best of the season. 

At Queensland Country Bank Stadium this year the Cowboys have won five of seven games and they were winners the last time they faced the Panthers too. 

The Storm conceded an uncharacteristic 45 points to the Cowboys in Townsville to continue their inconsistent season while the Sharks were beaten by a classy Broncos outfit on home turf. 

Both sides have shared a period of dominance against each other since the 2016 grand final with Cronulla winning five of their next eight before Melbourne returned serve, winning five of the last six between the two clubs.

Wayne Bennett's side fought bravely in the face of widespread changes last week in an eventual 30-6 loss at the hands of the Warriors in Auckland. 

Despite the task ahead of them against the Sea Eagles, they will take comfort from the fact that in all but one of their five losses this year they have bounced back to taste victory the following week. 

Given their own mounting injury toll, Manly will have appreciated the week off in Round 14, with a chance now to reload for the second half of the season as they seek to work their way back inside the top eight. 

Having rested Croker from last week's 20-19 victory over the Wests Tigers, Canberra have set the scene for an emotional night on Friday as they seek to make it seven wins from their past eight games and climb further towards a spot in the top four. 

The Warriors meanwhile got back to winning ways with a second-half scoring blitz which saw them to a comfortable 30-8 win over the Dolphins, with veteran No.7 Shaun Johnson stealing the show.

Both teams have earned their stripes on merit to get to where they are but this is the defining moment that will decide who becomes the outright competition leaders, will it be Mioks or Tigers?

What's even more exciting about Sunday’s blockbuster is it has got a bit of grand final feel to it, as both teams have put in a lot of preparations and hard work to make it count come game day. 

From the coaching perspective, Tigers rookie coach and former PNG Hunters goal kicking guru Noel Zeming is no slouch filling in the big shoes this year and has done remarkably well so far. 

EMK Sepik Pride again honored to host defending champions Kroton Hela Wigmen at home, the Pora Oval in Wewak at 2pm tomorrow afternoon with a good crowd expected.

From their last three home games, Pora Oval hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the new franchise, recording losses to Isou and Vipers and a draw against Lahanis. They currently occupy 5th place in pool B with 3 points and 4 points below a 3^rd placed Wigmen 3rd with 7pts.

This Saturday they host Tweeds Seagulls, in a must-win game situation.

The Tweed Seagulls also come into QRL Round 12 following a loss, having capitulated against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls after taking an early lead. The scoreboard read 12-6 after 20 minutes in that game, but by fulltime, Wynnum Manly had constructed another five tries to finish 38-18 winners.

Currently sitting in 7th position on the QRL Hostplus Cup ladder, Tweed will be desperate to return to their winning ways against the Hunters on Saturday afternoon and maintain their position inside the Top Eight.

The joint venture may have breathed a sigh of relief when Raiders coach Ricky Stuart decided to rest veteran Jarrod Croker, with the Green Machine guaranteed to have put it all on the field for their favourite son in what would have been his 300th game.

How in-form young guns Junior Tupou, Jahream Bula and Starford To'a rise to the occasion at Campbelltown Stadium on Friday will determine if the Wests Tigers can claim their fourth win of the season and continue their rise up the ladder.

Knocked off the top of the ladder after the Eels snapped their six-game winning streak, South Sydney will be hoping to get their season back on track when they host the eighth-placed Raiders at Accor Stadium.

Jason Demetriou's men are flying high with an 8-4 record this season but this may be their toughest test yet with Mitchell, Murray and Arrow called into Origin camps and centre Campbell Graham resting a sternum injury.