Knights v Roosters: Hastings recalled; More bad luck for Sam
Fresh off a last-gasp come-from-behind win, the Knights will be hoping to keep that momentum going when they host the in-form Roosters.
The Knights were trailing 16-0 at half-time against the Sea Eagles last week, before fighting back in the second half to push the game into golden point, where skipper Kalyn Ponga scored to steal the win.
The Roosters come into the match off a bye and have won three of their past five matches, with their two most recent losses being by a margin of four points or less.
While both sides will have key players out on Origin duty, including Ponga for the Knights, the Roosters will have five players out representing both states. However, the club have unearthed some new faces this year and there is still enough talent on show to provide an intriguing contest.
Match: Knights v Roosters
Round 15 -
home Team
Knights
15th Position
away Team
Roosters
10th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Knights: With skipper Kalyn Ponga in Maroons camp, Fetcher Sharpe moves to fullback and Jackson Hastings comes in for his first game of the season at five-eighth. Mat Croker starts at prop in place of Tyson Frizell (concussion) and Matt Arthur has been added to the bench.
Roosters: After returning to the field in NSW Cup last weekend star halfback Sam Walker had been named for his first NRL game since rupturing his ACL in Round 26 last year but a thumb injury at training on Thursday has thrown those plans into disarray. Sandon Smith will most likely come into the halves to partner Hugo Savala. Englishman Dom Young comes in on the wing and Mark Nawaqanitawase moves to centre to cover for Maroons rep Robert Toia. Two big ins with Naufahu Whyte (knee) and Nat Butcher (knee) back on deck while Egan Butcher joins the starting side for Angus Crichton (Origin) and Zach Dockar-Clay comes onto the bench.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Fletcher SharpeFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 James SchillerWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Fletcher HuntCentre for Roosters is number 4 Mark Nawaqanitawase
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jackson HastingsFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Hugo Savala
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jack CoggerHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Mat CrokerProp for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden BraileyHooker for Roosters is number 9 Benaiah Ioelu
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Brodie JonesProp for Roosters is number 10 Salesi Foketi
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Phoenix CrosslandLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Matthew ArthurInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Sandon Smith
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Thomas CantInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Zach Dockar-Clay
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jermaine McEwenInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Blake Steep
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Elijah Salesa-LeaumoanaInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Nat Butcher
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 18 Kyle McCarthyReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Ethan King
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Reserve for Knights is number 19 Tyrone ThompsonReserve for Roosters is number 19 Makahesi Makatoa
-
Reserve for Knights is number 20 Mason TeagueReserve for Roosters is number 20 Taylor Losalu
-
Reserve for Knights is number 21 Brock GreacenReserve for Roosters is number 21 Tom Rodwell
-
Reserve for Knights is number 22 Wilson De CourceyReserve for Roosters is number 23 De La Salle Va'a
Knights Ins
- Brock Greacen
- Kyle McCarthy
- Mason Teague
- Matthew Arthur
- Tyrone Thompson
- Wilson De Courcey
Roosters Ins
- De La Salle Va'a
- Dominic Young
- Makahesi Makatoa
- Nat Butcher
- Naufahu Whyte
- Sam Walker
- Taylor Losalu
- Tom Rodwell
- Zach Dockar-Clay
Knights Outs
- Kalyn Ponga
- Tyson Frizell
Roosters Ins
- Angus Crichton
- Connor Watson
- Lindsay Collins
- Robert Toia
- Spencer Leniu
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have not beaten the Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium since 2019.
- The Roosters have won 17 of their last 20 games against the Knights.
- Knights five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe has scored nine tries in his past nine games.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored 13 tries in his last 14 games against the Knights.
- Knights winger James Schiller has scored five tries in his last six games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
