Knights v Rabbitohs: Ponga back on deck; Koloamatangi's new role
Two of the best attacking teams in the NRL are set to put on a show in the Sunday afternoon sunshine when Newcastle host South Sydney this weekend.
The Knights made a bright start to the season but have struggled in the past few weeks and are desperate to rebound on their home turf.
The return of star recruit Dylan Brown has added another dimension to their attack and they have had no issues producing points this year.
Defence has been an area of focus after conceding big scores in their last three games and Newcastle will have to be on their game to slow a high-powered Rabbitohs attack that is firing on all cylinders.
Latrell Mitchell has returned to his dominant ball-carrying best in his move back to the centres, while fullback Matt Dufty has made the most of an unexpected second chance in the NRL.
Alex Johnston continues to score tries at a record-breaking clip and is now up to nine for the year after scoring a double in last week's big win over the Storm. The veteran enjoys playing the Knights, having scored 15 tries in 10 games against the club.
Up front, edge forward Tallis Duncan has been one of the quiet achievers and is among the most improved players in the competition this season. The 24-year-old also has a knack for finding the try line, scoring a hat-trick last weekend.
Sunday's match marks a return to Newcastle for South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett, who took the Knights to the 2013 preliminary final.
Match: Knights v Rabbitohs
Round 9 -
home Team
Knights
10th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
4th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team News
Knights: No late changes on game day for the Knights who welcome back Kalyn Ponga (hamstring) and Bradman Best (groin) as they look to snap a three-match losing streak. Ponga will line up at fullback, with Best at centre. Fletcher Sharpe moves to five-eighth as a result, with Fletcher Hunt and Sandon Smith both shifting to the interchange. Greg Marzhew returns from a concussion on the wing. Kyle McCarthy and James Schiller came out of the side in Saturday's 24-hour update while Harrison Graham was the last man to drop out on Sunday.
Rabbitohs: No further changes on game day after Brandon Smith (calf) dropped out of the squad on Saturday along with Liam Le Blanc while Adam Elliott remains on the six-man bench as he looks to return from a long-term calf injury. Halfback Jamie Humphreys, who left the field last week with a rib complaint, will take his place in the side.
Match: Knights v Rabbitohs
Round 9 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Matthew Dufty
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Latrell Mitchell
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jack Wighton
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell Graham
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher SharpeFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Dylan BrownHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jamie Humphreys
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Bronson Garlick
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Trey MooneyProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Sean Keppie
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jermaine McEwen2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Tallis Duncan
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat CrokerLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tyson FrizellInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami SauloInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan Hubner
-
Interchange for Knights is number 19 Francis ManuleleuaInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Euan Aitken
-
Interchange for Knights is number 20 Cody HopwoodInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Moala Graham-Taufa
Reserves
-
Reserve for Knights is number 14 Sandon SmithReserve for Rabbitohs is number 18 Jayden Sullivan
-
Reserve for Knights is number 17 Fletcher HuntReserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Adam Elliott
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have won their last three games against the Rabbitohs.
- Rabbitohs centre Latrell Mitchell has scored 66 points in his last four games.
- The Knights have won only one of their last nine games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 15 tries in 10 games against the Knights.
- The Knights have conceded 124 points in their last three games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
