Izzy to cut loose on Knights
Newcastle could feel the brunt of pent-up Brisbane flier Israel Folau still frustrated over his lack of involvement against Parramatta last weekend.
The giant 21 year-old who has scored 19 tries this NRL season, struggled to hide his anger at the lack of ball that came his way against the Eels.
And the Queensland Origin star has let it be known this week he wants more opportunities against the Knights on Friday night.
Broncos coach Ivan Henjak's late decision to start utility Matt Gillett at five-eighth for the injured Darren Lockyer (rib cartilage) against the Eels ahead of teenager Corey Norman would've contributed to Folau's frustration.
"I don't think we used him enough last week but he's not our only player and I don't want to become too predictable just going to him all the time," said Henjak.
"Locky probably uses Izzy a little bit more, he's got a pretty good combination with him.
"Gillo (Gillett) hadn't played in that position and he probably didn't go to him as much as Locky would, that was the frustration.
"Norman will probably play to him a little bit more.
"He's got a licence to go looking for it if it's not coming to him, I'm not telling him not to do that."
Henjak, who made the late switch to the bigger Gillett expecting Parramatta to be more physical early, said everyone had faith in Norman.
Gillett made 25 tackles against the Eels which detracted from his running game, one of the reasons Norman will start in the No.6 against Newcastle's halves Kurt Gidley and Jarrod Mullen.
"Corey is pretty cool, he doesn't get flustered very easily for a young kid," said Henjak.
"For his age, he's quite composed. He brings a few different things to the table. He's a little bit bigger than Locky, he's got great footwork and a lot of speed.
"He'll bring some things of his own."
Newcastle will look to their own try-scoring weapon Akuila Uate who, with 20 tries, is one ahead of Folau this season.
"He's the guy they look to for big game plays and the fellas on the left side will need to be strong on him, that's the challenge for them," he said.
Meanwhile Henjak said Lockyer's comeback hinged on a number of factors, most importantly his own health.
"We wouldn't want him to be a passenger out there, not that he would be, he's a tough guy but that injury would be quite painful," he said.
"We're not desperate yet. If we can get the job done, and hopefully the team can win tomorrow night, it makes that decision a little easier for all us."
Newcastle is one of the NRL's more daunting road-trips but Brisbane have won their last six games away, probably the best performed travelling team in the NRL at the moment.
"That's something we have improved this year, I think we've got a better away record than we have at home," said Henjak.
"The worry is going down there with a really good attitude and a mental application to really fight hard for 80 minutes."
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