Knights v Raiders: Saifiti out with COVID; Tapine, Cotric return
After Canberra snuck away with a narrow victory against the Dragons at home on Sunday they will be looking to stay within reach of the top eight when they take on Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The Raiders almost let the Dragons off the hook in a frantic finish but the two-point win keeps them hot on the heels of the Roosters with three games to play.
The occasion will be an intriguing trip for the visitors, who haven't played the Knights at home for five years. Jack Wighton, Nick Cotric, Jordan Rapana, Elliot Whitehead and Joseph Tapine are the only current Raiders who featured in the 2017 game.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are reeling after five defeats from their past six matches, finding themselves in 14th position on the ladder.
With a NSW Cup curtain-raiser and a NRLW Round 1 clash to be played after the NRL match, a loud and passionate crowd is guaranteed at McDonald Jones Stadium and that could be worth a few points to the Knights.
Sportsbet Betting preview: Knights v Raiders
The Rundown
Team news
Knights: Daniel Saifiti will miss the match due to COVID, which means his twin brother Jacob moves from lock to prop and Sauaso Sue joins the interchange as the new face in the team. Mat Croker starts at lock after originally being named on the interchange. Centre Bradman Best and winger Enari Tuala are out after being stood down by the club for disciplinary reasons. Edrick Lee is back from a foot injury on the wing and Krystian Mapapalangi will make his NRL debut at centre.
Raiders: Influential prop Joseph Tapine (ribs) returns to the field. Winger Nick Cotric is back from a one-game suspension which pushes Albert Hopoate to 18th Man. Tom Starling and Zac Woolford switched places before kick-off, with Starling the starting hooker and Woolford moving back to the bench.
Match: Knights v Raiders
Round 23 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tex HoyFullback for Raiders is number 1 Xavier Savage
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Edrick LeeWinger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Krystian MapapalangiCentre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Dominic YoungWinger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Anthony MilfordFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Adam CluneHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 David KlemmerProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'i
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden BraileyHooker for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
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Prop for Knights is number 13 Jacob SaifitiProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Brodie Jones2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
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2nd Row for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
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Lock for Knights is number 18 Sauaso SueLock for Raiders is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix CrosslandInterchange for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Pasami SauloInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Simi SasagiInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Corey Horsburgh
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Interchange for Knights is number 21 Oryn KeeleyInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey Harawira-Naera
Reserves
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Replacement for Knights is number 20 Jack JohnsReplacement for Raiders is number 18 Albert Hopoate
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Key match-up
Josh Papalii v David Klemmer: While one prop's team is fighting to keep their season alive and another is trying to finish their season with pride, it's tough to question the commitment or effort from 'Papa' and 'Klem'. On a week-to-week basis the two book-ends continue to churn away in the middle for their sides with Papalii producing 987 post-contact metres and Klemmer 986. Papalii also ranks fourth in the competition for offloads (35). Since returning from injury in Round 6, Klemmer has been equally vital for his side — averaging 156 metres per game while completing his tackles at a 97.3 percent efficiency rate. In what could well be a free-flowing contest, whichever forward pack can get on top early will be key in setting their side up for victory.
Stat Attack
The Raiders are second in the NRL for offloads with 254, led by Joseph Tapine with 37 and Josh Papalii 35. The Knights are ranked 10th for offloads with 190, led by David Klemmer with 29.
Match: Knights v Raiders
Round 23 -
home Team
Knights
14th Position
away Team
Raiders
9th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
