NRL 2023, Newcastle Knights, Manly Sea Eagles round 13 preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 28 May 2023, 03:05 PM

Two clubs that share a great rivalry dating back to the 1997 grand final will meet again in a clash heavily influenced by Origin selections and non-selections.

Sea Eagles star Tom Trbojevic cemented his NSW Blues spot with a devastating display against Canberra while skipper Daly Cherry-Evans will continue his superb Origin career with the Maroons.

Two names not featuring on the Maroons team sheet were Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai, leaving them free to strut their stuff in front of the McDonald Jones Stadium faithful as the Knights chase a fifth win of the season to draw them level with Manly on 13 points.

While the Sea Eagles clicked into gear in an eight-try romp against Canberra, it was a different story for the Knights who could manage just a single try in their loss to the Sharks.

Scoring tries wasn't an issue last time these sides met in Round 5 in Mudgee, a 12-try thriller finishing 34-34 after 80 minutes, and with the scores still locked up after 10 minutes of extra time both teams had to settle for a point.

The showdown between Ponga and Josh Schuster promises to be a beauty as two gifted playmakers look to guide their respective teams to a crucial victory ahead of a Round 14 bye.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Knights v Sea Eagles

Team News

Knights: No late changes on game day, with Kalyn Ponga moving from five-eighth to fullback in place of Lachlan Miller, who drops back to the interchange. Tyson Gamble will partner Jackson Hastings in the halves, having played there while Ponga was injured earlier in the year. Adam Elliott moves into the starting side at lock, while Jack Johns starts in the second row as a replacement for Tyson Frizell, who is on Origin duty.

Sea Eagles: Manly will take the field as named with mid-week signing Jake Arthur set to make his club debut after joining the bench in the 24-hour update and Christian Tuipulotu dropping out. Cooper Johns replaces Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves. Kaeo Weekes starts at fullback in the absence of Tom Trbojevic, while Toafofoa Sipley joins the 17 for Jake Trbojevic (calf) and will start at prop, with Sean Keppie moving to lock.

Round 13 - Round 13 - Sunday 28 May

Full Time

Knights

Sea Eagles

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga

Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Kaeo Weekes
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason Saab
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Brad Parker
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best

Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tolutau Koula
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew

Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Reuben Garrick
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble

Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Josh Schuster
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Cooper Johns

Forwards

Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Taniela Paseka
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland

Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Lachlan Croker
Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson

Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Toafofoa Sipley
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jack Johns

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Haumole Olakau'atu
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon

2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Samuela Fainu
Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Sean Keppie

Interchange

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Lachlan Miller

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Karl Lawton
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan Bullemor
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Ben Condon
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker

Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 19 Jake Arthur

Reserves

Replacement for Knights is number 22 Kurt Mann

Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 18 Morgan Boyle

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
Touch Judge: Darian Furner
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:48 AM

Stat Attack

The Knights have come up with 420 tackle breaks this season led by Lachlan Miller (78) and Greg Marzhew (67). The Sea Eagles have just 316 tackle breaks, equal lowest with the Eels.
Sea Eagles prop Taniela Paseka has made 656 post-contact metres in 11 matches in 2023. Only Payne Haas, Brian To'o, Herbie Farnworth and Pat Carrigan have more post-contact metres.
The Knights have won three of their past four games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The Sea Eagles have scored 102 points in their past three games against the Knights.
Knights winger Greg Marzhew has scored five tries in his past four games at McDonald JonesStadium.
Sea Eagles second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu has scored a try in his past three games against the Knights.
Knights prop Daniel Saifiti will make his 150th NRL appearance.