NRL: Sauaso Sue back in action and ready for Sharks test

Newcastle Knights hitman Sauaso Sue is ready to fight fire with fire against an aggressive Cronulla Sharks forward pack on Friday night.

The destructive frontrower made an impressive return from a double shoulder reconstruction at NSW Cup level in his team’s 40-10 away loss to Penrith, making eight runs and 31 tackles in 46 minutes on Sunday.

He will relish the opportunity to face an in-form Sharks team which includes durable forwards Toby Rudolf, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Siosifa Talakai and Dale Finucane, who all shone in Cronulla’s 36-12 win over the Dragons last Thursday night.

“It was my first game back from my double shoulder reco,” Sue told BettingSite.com.au.

“It was all right. We made it hard for ourselves. My shoulder felt good but our game management and too much defence (cost us).”

Sue is expected to once again be a part of Newcastle’s front-row bench rotation behind Jacob and Daniel Saifiti on Friday night, with the fourth-placed Knights to go in as $3 outsiders with Marantelli Bet against the third-placed Sharks.

“The boys are going well so hopefully I can just slot back in there. I’ve just got to keep working hard and take my opportunity again,” he said.

“I had to get it (shoulder) done twice. After the second time there were doubts.

“Though adversity you just have to stay professional and do the right things.”

With bigger and fitter players around him at NRL level, expect Sue to again put on the big hits he is known for.

“It’s more hard in reserve grade because if you go for a big hit there aren’t as many people there to help you out,” he said.

“You’ve got to work a bit harder to try and get those hits. But we’ll get there, it’s only Round 3.

“There’s a lot of talent among our forwards and outside backs, including Macca (McKenzie Baker) there at fullback.

“We’ve got a really good recruitment system too, so there a lot of juniors coming through and it’s exciting.”

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