NRL Match Preview: Raiders v Knights

Author: Will Simkin
Timestamp: Thu 27 Jul 2023, 12:01 PM

The Toyota Forklift Raiders will host the red-hot Newcastle Knights in game two of this Saturday’s double-header at GIO Stadium Canberra.

The Green Machine will be looking to earn a spot in the top four this weekend as they currently sit fifth on the competition ladder, tied on points with the third-place Warriors.

The Raiders are coming off a narrow 21 – 20 defeat to the Warriors last Friday, despite a gutsy comeback performance.

Ricky Stuart has made no changes to the side ahead of this weekend’s clash.

The Knights are currently in top form as they have won their last three matchups in a push to make the top eight. They currently sit tenth on the ladder, one point behind the eighth-placed Eels.

Newcastle’s win streak is highlighted by last week’s 26 – 18 upset victory over the Melbourne Storm.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien has been forced to make changes to his squad as star prop Daniel Saifiti is out with a quad injury. Daniel’s brother Jacob Saifiti will take his spot in the starting side with Brodie Jones being recalled via the interchange.

Round 22 - Round 22 - Saturday 29 Jul

Full Time

Raiders

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Sebastian Kris

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Albert Hopoate

Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii

Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh

Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt Mann
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Brodie Jones
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Pasami Saulo

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata Mariota

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker

Reserves

Replacement for Raiders is number 19 Matt Frawley

Replacement for Knights is number 18 Dylan Lucas

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated: 6/3/2024 4:46:26 AM

Last time they met

The last time these two sides went head-to-head was in round four of this season with the Knights coming out on top with a 24 – 14 win.

Key Match-Ups

Sebastian Kris v Kalyn Ponga

The battle of the fullback will be an eye-drawing affair as both players enter this game in career-best form.

Kris has improved significantly on both sides of the ball since earning the fullback jersey.

He is averaging a career high 162 run metres per game and boasting a 91% tackle efficiency in the last three rounds.

Ponga is one of NRL’s top fullbacks and has been the Knights go-to playmaker during their win streak.

During the win streak, Ponga accumulated a massive 38 points along with seven try assists.

Both players will be looking for opportunities to display their skills with their performance potentially being the deciding factor.

Matt Timoko v Bradman Best

Two of the competition’s in-form centers will be going after each other in a battle of speed and strength.

Timoko has been a breakout player for the Raiders this year as he has proved himself invaluable.

Timoko has already reached a career-high in line-breaks and total running metres this season, in addition to scoring three tries in the past three games.

Best has been at his best this past month, scoring five tries for the Knights as well as making his NSW Blues debut.

Best has put up career-high numbers in all attacking-stats this year, highlighted by 12 try assists.

This will be tough matchup for both players as either player will be looking for any mistake to capitalize on.

Hudson Young v Tyson Frizell

This matchup will be a clash of the titans as the two Origin teammates face-off.

Young has had a strong campaign so far this season, posting a career-high in offloads and displaying an ability to score at any time.

So far this season Young has averaged 106 running metres and 89.7% tackle efficiency, continuing the form that earned him the NRL Coaches’ award last season.

Frizell has proved himself as a hard running second rower over his lengthy career and has showed no signs of slowing down.

Frizell has tied his career best linebreaks total this season while averaging over 50 post contact metres in the past three games.

Both players will be looking to put on a top-tier performance this Saturday to earn their side the two points.