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Match Preview

Knights v Titans: Best back in business; Sami, Kini ruled out

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With the race for the top eight still in play for the Knights, there is plenty riding on the result of this week’s match up with the Titans.

Newcastle bounced back from their one-point loss against the Sharks to put on a big score against the Rabbitohs, with skipper Kalyn Ponga firing and centre Dane Gagai winding back the clock with a two-try performance.

The halves pairing of Phoenix Crossland and Jack Cogger also performed well together, with the Knights halves going through a number of iterations this season.

They are set to be without forwards Tyson Frizell (concussion protocols) and Kai Pearce-Paul (laceration) this weekend, the Englishman requiring surgery to the deep cut on his leg and extremely unlikely to play.

Sportsbet Betting Preview: Knights v Titans

Titans coach Des Hasler didn’t mince words after his side’s 48-22 loss to the Roosters saying the performance wasn’t good enough, but he and captain Kieran Foran were optimistic the team could end their season on a high with two wins.

Titans star winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira broke his own club record for most tries after scoring a hat-trick against the Roosters, crossing for 23 so far this season. The Gold Coast backs have provided some exciting moments for the highlights reel, but the team’s defence has let them down this season.

Team News

Knights: Centre Bradman Best returns from the hamstring injury he suffered against the Broncos in Round 20 so Dylan Lucas shifts to the back row to replace Kai Pearce-Paul (laceration). Brodie Jones moves from the bench to the starting side to replace Tyson Frizell (concussion protocols) and Thomas Cant joins the bench. There are no changes to the team an hour from kick off, with Kyle McCarthy remaining as the replacement player. 

Titans: A handful of changes for the Titans 24 hours before kick off, with Keano Kini failing a fitness test after picking up a cork last weekend. As a result, Jaylan De Groot will make his NRL debut at fullback. Phillip Sami initially came in for AJ Brimson, who was sent for groin surgery, but the centre has also succumbed to injury and will be replaced by Beau Fermor. As a result, Keenan Palasia comes on to the bench. An hour from kick-off, there has been another forward shuffle, with former Knight Chris Randall move into the back row, pushing Klese Haas back to the bench, while Isaac Liu will start at lock. Tanah Boyd is the 18th player.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
    Fullback for Titans is number 22 Jaylan De Groot
  • Winger for Knights is number 2 Fletcher Sharpe
    Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira  
  • Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
    Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
  • Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
    Centre for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
  • Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
    Winger for Titans is number 5 Jojo Fifita
  • Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jack Cogger
    Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Jayden Campbell
  • Halfback for Knights is number 7 Phoenix Crossland
    Halfback for Titans is number 7 Kieran Foran

Forwards

  • Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
    Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
  • Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
    Hooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills
  • Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
    Prop for Titans is number 10 Jaimin Jolliffe
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
    2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Brodie Jones
    2nd Row for Titans is number 13 Chris Randall
  • Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
    Lock for Titans is number 15 Isaac Liu

Interchange

  • Interchange for Knights is number 14 Will Pryce
    Interchange for Titans is number 14 Josiah Pahulu
  • Interchange for Knights is number 15 Mat Croker
    Interchange for Titans is number 16 Erin Clark
  • Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
    Interchange for Titans is number 17 Klese Haas
  • Interchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas Cant
    Interchange for Titans is number 19 Keenan Palasia

Reserves

  • Replacement for Knights is number 18 Kyle McCarthy
    Replacement for Titans is number 18 Tanah Boyd

Match Officials

  • Referee: Gerard Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
  • Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Knights have won four of their past five games against the Titans.
  • The Titans have not won at McDonald Jones Stadium since 2016.
  • Knights winger Fletcher Sharpe has scored five tries in three games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
  • Titans winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored 43 tries in 42 NRL games.
  • Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga has scored six tries in eight games against the Titans.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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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.