The Knights have less than two weeks to turn around their form after being pumped by the Sharks in Saturday’s trial in Maitland.
Newcastle made little impact in the 30 to 6 demolition.
They face Cronulla in round one at McDonald Jones Stadium in just 12 days time.
Meanwhile, Sam Burgess is back to his menacing best but mentally, an emotionally draining off-season may be taking its toll.
Some Burgess brain snaps almost cost the Rabbitohs in the Charity Shield and his new coach Wayne Bennett wants him to toughen up his discipline.
text will be replaced
