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Knights v Raiders: Brailey ruled out; Strange the No.6

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Newcastle and the Raiders last faced off in an epic extra-time final last year filled with drama and will get the rivalry fired up again for Round 1.

At McDonald Jones Stadium, the Knights knocked Canberra out of the premiership race, with Dally M winner Kalyn Ponga kicking an 89th minute penalty goal to secure a 30-28 win.

While no-one is expecting quite the same fireworks to start the season, there’s plenty on the line for both teams who will field vastly different lineups.

The Knights have lost Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Kurt Mann and tryscoring whiz Dominic Young from that final team, while the Raiders farewelled Jack Wighton in the off-season. Corey Horsburgh and Sebastian Kris remain suspended, giving coach Ricky Stuart the opportunity to test out some new blood in their season opener.

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Team News 

Knights: The home side remain 1-17 with no late changes. Co-captain Jayden Brailey is laid up with a hamstring issue, so Phoenix Crossland starts at hooker after doing so successfully through the back part of 2023 for Newcastle. Dylan Lucas starts in the back row, with new recruit Kai Pearce-Paul named on the bench. Jack Cogger begins the year on the interchange, with Adam O'Brien opting to retain Jackson Hastings and Tyson Gamble as his halves.

Raiders: Ricky Stuart's side will take the field as named. Teenage prospect Ethan Strange has won the battle to have first crack at the No.6 jersey, while Jordan Rapana is the fullback in place of the suspended Seb Kris. English recruit Morgan Smithies will make his NRL debut as part of the run-on side, playing lock in the absence Corey Horsburgh, who is also suspended. A calf injury to Elliott Whitehead sees new recruit Zac Hosking starts in the second row.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
    Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Jordan Rapana
  • Winger for Knights is number 2 Enari Tuala
    Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric
  • Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
    Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
  • Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
    Centre for Raiders is number 4 Albert Hopoate
  • Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
    Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
  • Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
    Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
  • Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
    Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Forwards

  • Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
    Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
  • Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
    Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Danny Levi
  • Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
    Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Dylan Lucas
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking
  • Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
    Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies

Interchange

  • Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jack Cogger
    Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
  • Interchange for Knights is number 15 Daniel Saifiti
    Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
  • Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
    Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Ata Mariota
  • Interchange for Knights is number 17 Kai Pearce-Paul
    Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Pasami Saulo

Reserves

  • Replacement for Knights is number 18 Jed Cartwright
    Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Kaeo Weekes

Match Officials

  • Referee: Todd Smith
  • Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Stat Attack 

  • The Knights have won six of their past eight games against the Raiders.
  • The Raiders have lost their past four away games.
  • Knights winger Greg Marzhew has scored 15 tries in his past 14 NRL games.
  • The Raiders have claimed a Round 1 victory in four of their past five seasons.
  • The Knights have won their past six games at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

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Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.