The Knights and Broncos face off in Newcastle in one of the games of the round at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday with both sides chasing a third-straight win.
Defending premiers Newcastle played the Broncos in Round 1 last season with the Knights upstaging the three-time champions to announce themselves as a top-line team in 2022.
All eyes were on Tamika Upton and Millie Boyle taking on their former club back then and again Upton will be the one to stop for the Broncos after a dominant performance against the Titans last start.
The battle between veteran Ali Brigginshaw taking on young star Jesse Southwell will also be one to watch while Caitlan Johnston is set to match it with the likes of Chelsea Lenarduzzi and Tazmin Gray in the forward pack.
The Broncos will want to continue the momentum after two victories on the trot while the Knights will want to remind their opponents just who is boss on home turf as they look to make it three on the trot themselves.
Match: Knights v Broncos
Round 5 -
home Team
Knights
2nd Position
away Team
Broncos
6th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team news
Knights: Several changes on game day sees Kayla Romaniuk named to start at lock, shifting Felia Kia to the front row and Simone Karpani to the bench. Kia came in 24 hours before kick-off with Hannah Southwell dropping out. Caitlan Johnston returns from a one-match ban in a boost for the premiers. Rima Butler (head knock) will return at prop despite leaving the field last week after a clash of heads with Karpani.
Broncos: No late changes for Scott Prince's side, with the 17 unchanged from that named mid-week. Gayle Broughton returns after missing last week's clash due to personal reasons, while Annetta Nu'uausala and Destiny Brill are back from a week out with head knocks. Brianna Clark and Jasmine Fogavini both miss the match due to suspension.
Match: Knights v Broncos
Round 5 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika UptonFullback for Broncos is number 1 Hayley Maddick
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan GallagherWinger for Broncos is number 2 Lauren Dam
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice ParkerCentre for Broncos is number 3 Mele Hufanga
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Abigail RoacheCentre for Broncos is number 4 Shenae Ciesiolka
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Jasmin StrangeWinger for Broncos is number 5 Ashleigh Werner
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia RocheFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Gayle Broughton
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse SouthwellHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali Brigginshaw
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Rima ButlerProp for Broncos is number 8 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Broncos is number 9 Destiny Brill
-
Prop for Knights is number 19 Felila KiaProp for Broncos is number 10 Breanna Eales
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Caitlan Johnston2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Tazmin Gray
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Romy Teitzel
-
Lock for Knights is number 15 Kayla RomaniukLock for Broncos is number 13 Mariah Denman
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 8 Simone KarpaniInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Jada Ferguson
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Nita MaynardInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Filomina Hanisi
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Laishon Albert-JonesInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Chelsea Lenarduzzi
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Tayla PredebonInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Toni Hunt
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 18 Viena TinaoReplacement for Broncos is number 18 Lavinia Gould
Match Officials
- Referee: Darian Furner
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Both matches played between the two sides last year were decided by 18 points.
- Tamika Upton has produced the most amount of linebreak assists so far in 2023 with seven in four games.
- Opposition halves Ali Brigginshaw and Jesse Southwell lead the NRLW this season with 32 points each.
- The Knights (255) and Broncos (229) lead the competition in support play.
