The Knights should have a big home crowd on hand for their clash with Wests Tigers with supporters buoyed by their strong start to the season.

That 20-6 win over the more-fancied Roosters was arguably the team performance of the opening round, with the new halves pairing combining well and recruit Dane Gagai adding much-needed spark.

The Tigers can take plenty of positives of their own from a hard-fought 26-16 loss to another premiership heavyweght in the Storm, with the contest sitting at three tries apiece until the final 15 minutes.

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The Rundown

Team news

Knights: A blow for the Knights on Saturday with skipper Kalyn Ponga ruled out after failing to recover from a knee injury suffered in the opening round. Tex Hoy takes over at fullback.

Daniel Saifiti (leg) was named among the reserves on Tuesday but dropped out of the squad on Saturday.

Wests Tigers: A setback for the Tigers on Saturday with co-captain James Tamou ruled out Alex Twal moving in to the front row and Thomas Mikaele joining the bench.

Tamou had been due to return from suspension.

Hooker Jake Simpkin has been named and is expected to be good to go despite hurting his shoulder against the Storm.

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Key match-up

Jake Clifford v Jackson Hastings: Clifford was among the Knights' best in the opening win, handing over some of the direction to Adam Clune while kicking and running the ball well and nabbing a crucial try. Hastings has looked polished through the pre-season and again in round one, with limited opportunity, and he will need to continue to take pressure off Luke Brooks if the team is to have a strong season.

Stat attack

The Knights missed just 13 tackles of any team in round one, the fewest of any side. The Tigers weren't far behind: their 21 misses was fourth best.