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NRL Late Mail: Round 18 - Ponga back to stake Origin claim
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NRL Late Mail: Round 18 - Ponga back to stake Origin claim

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Star fullback Kalyn Ponga is on track to return from injury in Round 18 for the Knights.

See all the late mail, official team news and updates ahead of Round 18 of the 2024 NRL Telstra Premiership competition.

NRL Late Mail: Round 18

Raiders v Knights, Sunday at GIO Stadium

Raiders: No game day changes after Hudson Young came out of the side on Saturday, bringing Ata Mariota into the second row and Emre Guler onto the bench. A new-look backline for Ricky Stuart with Kaeo Weekes at fullback, Jordan Rapana on the wing, Albert Hopoate in the centres and Adam Cook at halfback. Simi Sasagi joins the interchange in place of last week's debutant Jordan Martin, who has entered the NRL's concussion protocols after failing a HIA last week.

Knights: A massive boost for the Knights with skipper Kalyn Ponga back from the foot injury that has sidelined him since Round 7 while Leo Thompson (achilles) is also back on deck in the front row. However, Adam Elliott was a late withdrawal 24 hours before kick-off, with Mat Croker to start at lock. Hooker Phoenix Crossland (concussion protocols) will miss the match so Jayden Brailey starts in the No.9 jumper and Fletcher Sharpe fills the utility role off the bench. No late changes on game day.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
    Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
  • Winger for Raiders is number 2 Jordan Rapana
    Winger for Knights is number 2 Enari Tuala
  • Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
    Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
  • Centre for Raiders is number 4 Albert Hopoate
    Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
  • Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
    Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
  • Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
    Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Will Pryce
  • Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Adam Cook
    Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Forwards

  • Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
    Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
  • Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling
    Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
  • Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
    Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
    2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
  • 2nd Row for Raiders is number 15 Ata Mariota
    2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul 
  • Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies
    Lock for Knights is number 18 Mat Croker

Interchange

  • Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Danny Levi
    Interchange for Knights is number 14 Fletcher Sharpe
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Trey Mooney
    Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Simi Sasagi
    Interchange for Knights is number 16 Brodie Jones
  • Interchange for Raiders is number 20 Emre Guler
    Interchange for Knights is number 17 Dylan Lucas

Reserves

  • Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Sebastian Kris
    Replacement for Knights is number 19 Jack  Hetherington

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

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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.