Source : the age
NSW incumbents Mitchell Moses and Zac Lomax enhanced their claims for State of Origin retention with timely displays in Parramatta’s 28-6 win in Newcastle on Friday.
Lomax scored two tries and generally terrorised the Knights with his strong carries and kick-chase, in his first game since breaking a bone in his foot on April 5.
Moses, hoping to partner Penrith’s Nathan Cleary in the series opener on May 28, scored the first try of the night and kept Parramatta on the front foot with his tactical kicking and ball-playing.
Their performances will surely have been welcomed by NSW coach Laurie Daley, who is expected to name his squad for Origin I on Sunday night.
The win was not enough to lift Parramatta on the bottom of the ladder, because of their for-and-against differential. But they have now joined Gold Coast, Newcastle and St George Illawarra on three wins, setting up an intriguing battle for the wooden spoon.
The Knights might soon be favourites, judging by their recent form. They have now lost seven of their past eight games, including four in a row on home soil.
Zac Lomax goes over for Parramatta.Credit: NRL Photos
Their scoreless first half was the eighth time this season that they have failed to post a point in a 40-minute stretch. Not surprisingly, they have scored the fewest points (126) in the competition this season.
Fortunately for Newcastle, their defence has been keeping them in games. Only Canterbury and Melbourne had conceded fewer points than Newcastle before this round of games kicked off.
Rattled by last week’s 24-20 loss to Gold Coast – after they blew a 20-0 lead – the Knights needed to start strongly against Parra to build confidence.
Instead, they were almost immediately on the back foot after Moses scored, catching a Dylan Brown crossfield kick cleanly before forcing it in-goal.
Four minutes later, the Eels were in again after creating a right-edge overlap for Lomax to cross in the corner. The Eels went to the break with a 10-0 lead, and could easily have been further ahead, but for poor finishing.
When Lomax crashed over to score in the 55th minute, the Eels increased their advantage to 16-0 and left the Knights playing a forlorn game of catch-up.
Newcastle’s hopes were further dented in the 62nd minute, when back-rower Kai Pearce-Paul was sin-binned for pushing Moses over, allowing Lomax to kick a penalty goal.
Two minutes later, Brown – who is joining Newcastle next year on a 10-season contract reportedly worth $13 million – raced away to score against his future teammates.
The result was especially disappointing for Knights veteran Dane Gagai, who was hoping to celebrate his 300th NRL appearance with a victory.
The only highlight for Gagai was throwing the final pass for Newcastle’s lone try, scored by winger James Schiller.
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
