Wests Tigers v Knights: Blore withdraws; Thompson to start
Two sides who didn't register a victory in Round 1 will head to Leichhardt Oval on Sunday looking to avoid back-to-back losses to start 2023.
Wests Tigers only had themselves to blame in a first-up loss to the Titans with plenty of opportunities in attack not taken in front of a vocal home crowd who won't want a repeat at the venue this weekend.
The Knights too were left to rue multiple missed opportunities with the ball in hand with the Warriors' defence on song to deny Adam O'Brien's side a chance to snatch victory.
All eyes will be on Jackson Hastings and David Klemmer taking on their former clubs.
While Hastings' time at the Wests Tigers was short, his departure to Newcastle was fast with the trade deal between he and Klemmer among the major talking points in the off-season.
Klemmer produced a fine club debut for the joint venture, running for 186 metres with two offloads and 34 tackles. His battle with the Saifiti brothers Daniel and Jacob should get the crowd into the game early.
The head-to-head battle sits at 17 wins apiece since 2000 with the Knights winning both clashes in 2022 in a tough year for both clubs, who have not won a game since late-July/early August each last year.
Match: Wests Tigers v Knights
Round 2 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
14th Position
away Team
Knights
8th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Team news
Wests Tigers: No late changes on game day for the home side. Back-rower Shawn Blore hasn't passed concussion protocols and was removed from the squad on Saturday with Balmain junior Brandon Tumeth coming onto the bench in what will be his NRL debut. Asu Kepaoa joins the run-on side in the second row. Api Koroisau has been named to start after coming off the bench in Round 1, while Joe Ofahengaue has also been promoted to the starting side and Alex Twal shifts to the bench. Alex Seyfarth comes into the squad to replace Fonua Pole (knee). Centres Brent Naden (knee) and Tommy Talau (leg cramps) are good to go.
Knights: Several late changes one hour before kick-off sees prop Leo Thompson join the starting side and Jacob Saifiti moved to the bench. Meanwhile, Jack Johns starts at lock and Tyson Gamble takes his place as an interchange. Dane Gagai (hamstring) and Tyson Frizell (head knock) are set to play.
Match: Wests Tigers v Knights
Round 2 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine LaurieFullback for Knights is number 1 Lachlan Miller
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David NofoalumaWinger for Knights is number 2 Hymel Hunt
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Brent NadenCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Tommy TalauCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Charlie StainesWinger for Knights is number 5 Dominic Young
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam DoueihiFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kalyn Ponga
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke BrooksHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano UtoikamanuProp for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai KoroisauHooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 David KlemmerProp for Knights is number 17 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 15 Asu Kepaoa2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Joe OfahengaueLock for Knights is number 15 Jack Johns
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jake SimpkinInterchange for Knights is number 10 Jacob Saifiti
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex TwalInterchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 22 Brandon TumethInterchange for Knights is number 19 Tyson Gamble
Reserves
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 18 Starford To'aReserve for Knights is number 18 Brodie Jones
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Wests Tigers have won only three of their past 11 games at Leichhardt Oval.
- The Knights won home and away games against the Tigers in 2022.
- Wests Tigers are aiming to avoid a 0-2 start for the third consecutive season.
- Wests Tigers fullback Daine Laurie has scored a try in six consecutive games at Leichhardt Oval.
- Wests Tigers had 47 tackle breaks in Round 1 against the Titans while Newcastle could manage only 32 tackle breaks in their loss to the Warriors.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
