NRL: Lethal Uate attack at the Storm's door

Akuila Uate of the Knights. Photo / Getty Images

Newcastle flyer Akuila Uate will spearhead a lethal but underrated Knights attack in the must-win final against the might of NRL minor premiers Melbourne Storm tomorrow.

While Melbourne would be fancied as the more dangerous outfit with ball in hand, somewhat surprisingly it's Newcastle who lead a couple of the NRL's key attacking stats.

Rick Stone's side lead the league for most line breaks per match (equal with Wests Tigers on 4.9), and most tackle breaks (41).

NSW Blues stars Uate and Kurt Gidley have also helped the Knights to second behind St George Illawarra on the list of most metres gained on average per match (1396.3).

Uate and former test centre Adam MacDougall on the Knights' right side have been damaging. Fullback Gidley is considered one of the NRL's most dangerous players, while Jarrod Mullen (NSW), Junior Sa'u (NZ) and James McManus (NSW) are also representative players.

"The Knights are making more line breaks than any other team in the competition so we're going [there] to attack," said coach Stone.

Thrilling winger Uate scored four tries in the Knights 40-24 annihilation of the Rabbitohs last Friday, which secured their finals berth.

On Tuesday Uate won his second Dally M winger of the year award, strengthening his claim to being the best flankman in league.

Gidley said Uate would play a big role in Newcastle's chances against Melbourne.

"I think his carries are so strong and I know he's feared by other players when they're trying to make a one-on-one tackle with him. He's such an exciting player Aku, any time he touches the ball."

Uate was concerned with how to handle Melbourne's Billy Slater and Cameron Smith. "If we can control those two we'll go all right on Sunday."

Newcastle lost 10 of 12 matches to top-eight teams this year, and were thumped 42-12 by the Storm in April.

- AAP