Nervous wait for Burns

The NRL match review committee will today study footage of an ugly tackle by Penrith's Travis Burns which resulted in him being placed on report in the Panthers' 28-22 win over Newcastle. Burns tackled Knights fullback Shannon McDonnell in the air, resulting in the Knights player falling awkwardly, in their trial on Saturday night. McDonnell was helped from the field suffering concussion. The Panthers will be sweating on the match review committee handing them a suspension so early in the year. The Panthers, missing skipper Petero Civoniceva, playmakers Luke Lewis and Luke Walsh and key outside backs Michael Jennings and Lachlan Coote, scored two late tries to rally to the six-point win in Port Macquarie. The Knights had led 22-16 before disaster struck.

KNIGHTS v PANTHERS

THE search for stability in Newcastle's halves intensifies tonight when Ben Rogers and Beau Henry are expected to get time at five-eighth against Penrith in Port Macquarie. Jarrod Mullen is the obvious halfback, but the Knights have lacked stability in the halves in recent seasons. Henry was signed from St George Illawarra's under 20s after first grade possibilities seemed remote with Jamie Soward at five-eighth and Ben Hornby halfback. Knights coach Rick Stone wants to use the club's top player, Kurt Gidley, at fullback, a plan that would be easier to execute if either Rogers or Henry makes the five-eighth spot his own.

Houston, we have a comeback

KNIGHTS coach Rick Stone said returning back-rower Chris Houston exceeded expectations in his first game of rugby league in almost a year. Playing for the first time since a pre-season trial against Penrith at Port Macquarie on February 27 last year, the one-time NSW Origin 18th man scored a try and played 50 minutes in Newcastle's 22-22 draw with New Zealand Warriors at Wingham Park, Greymouth. Played before a record crowd estimated at 6000, the Miners' Solidarity Day charity match was staged to raise funds and lift community spirits after 29 miners were killed at the nearby Pike River Mine last November.