Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien is happy to “weaponise” their status as the NRL’s “ugly duckling” after clinching the last top eight spot.
The Knights’ gutsy 14-6 victory at McDonald Jones Stadium at the weekend locked in an elimination final date with the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday 14 September.
And, he’s confident his charges can continue their run.
“They (Cowboys) will start favourites, being in Townsville,” O’Brien said.
“No one had us in the eight to start the year, there might have been one or two of you.
“Everyone will keep us as the underdog.
“We like it that way.
“We’ve been using (our underdog status) all year, we’re the ugly ducklings.”
The triumph also enabled Newcastle to secure its fourth finals berth, from five seasons, under O’Brien.
“I’m just rapt to get the result,” he said.
“I can’t get the smile off my face.
“However, I’ll need to, we need to regroup.
“We’ve got a job to do up in Townsville.”
Superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga threw the last pass for both Knights tries in a gritty affair that went scoreless for nearly half an hour.
After struggling to find his rhythm with the ball early on, the Knights captain scooted out of dummy half to put lock Adam Elliott over with a short ball.
He doubled Newcastle’s 6-0 lead by strolling almost half the width of the park before finding a space for Brodie Jones to streak over.
A late shot from Felise Kaufusi left Ponga clutching at his right shoulder midway through the second period.
But, he finished the game after being cleared by a Knights trainer.
Ponga even shook his arms above his head in the press conference to prove the injury had only been a stinger and would not require extra medical attention in the week.
- With AAP
WHO PLAYS WHO IN NRL FINALS, WEEK ONE
Friday 13 September
First Qualifying Final
2 – Penrith v 3 – Sydney Roosters at BlueBet Stadium, 7.50pm
Both sides have shown signs of faltering in the past month, but the winner will immediately become a title favourite. Penrith hopes to have Nathan Cleary, who has the potential to solve almost all of their issues from recent weeks. The Roosters are still putting their spine back together, with Sandon Smith and Connor Watson to wear No.7 and No.9 after Sam Walker and Brandon Smith’s ACL ruptures last week.
Saturday 14 September
Second Qualifying Final
1 – Melbourne v 4 – Cronulla at AAMI Park, 4.05pm
Two sides who have been waiting for the opening week of the finals for months. If there is one side that has the potential to trouble minor premiers Melbourne at AAMI Park it’s the Sharks. Cronulla beat the Storm 25-18 in Melbourne this year, before falling into a mid-season lull. There have been signs in recent times of a rebound, including a 40-20 job on Manly on Sunday in the final round.
First Elimination Final
5 – North Queensland v 8 – Newcastle at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, 4.05pm
Kalyn Ponga comes up against his old club in a finals match. Ponga had a quiet season until mid-August, before bouncing back to life in the past three weeks. He was again their best in the virtual play-in game against the Dolphins on Sunday. North Queensland has also been a picture of inconsistency for parts of 2024 but will be hard to beat if they play to the same level they did in their 44-6 win over Canterbury.
Sunday 15 September
Second Elimination Final
6 – Canterbury v 7 – Manly at Accor Stadium, 4.05pm
Who would dare predict how either of these sides will play in a knockout final? Canterbury have been the fairytale team of the competition for the past few months but have been beaten badly in the middle in the past two weeks. Manly dominated the Bulldogs pack in a 34-22 win just a week ago, but their challenge has been producing that level for sustained periods this season.
For more sports stories:
- NRL: Knights delight Old Boys, book finals berth
- Rising cricket star Sienna Eve hoping to inspire more Hunter juniors
- More glory for Newcastle ‘golden girl’ Lauren Parker
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