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
11th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
4th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Knights: Big guns Kalyn Ponga (hamstring) and Bradman Best (groin) return in a huge double boost while winger Greg Marzhew (concussion) is also back on deck. Ponga's return sees Fletcher Sharpe move to five-eighth and Sandon Smith to the interchange along with Fletcher Hunt. Forwards Dylan Lucas (throat) and Tyson Frizell (ribs) are also good to go.
Rabbitohs: Keaon Koloamatangi has been named to start in the second row in place of Brandon Smith, who has been listed in the reserves. Smith came off early in the big win over Storm with a calf complaint. Jamie Humphreys has also been named to take his place in the halves despite leaving the field in Melbourne with a rib issue. Other changes see Liam Le Blanc and Moala Graham-Taufa come onto the extended bench. Adam Elliott has also been listed in No.20 as he looks to return from a long-term calf injury.
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 14 Sandon SmithInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Peter Mamouzelos
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tyson FrizellInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan Hubner
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami SauloInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Euan Aitken
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Fletcher HuntInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Liam Le Blanc
-
Interchange for Knights is number 18 Harrison GrahamInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Jayden Sullivan
-
Interchange for Knights is number 19 Francis ManuleleuaInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Moala Graham-Taufa
Reserves
-
Reserve for Knights is number 20 Cody HopwoodReserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Adam Elliott
-
Reserve for Knights is number 21 Kyle McCarthyReserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Latrell Siegwalt
-
Reserve for Knights is number 22 James SchillerReserve for Rabbitohs is number 22 Brandon Smith
Knights Ins
- Bradman Best
- Dylan Lucas
- Greg Marzhew
- Kalyn Ponga
- Tyson Frizell
Rabbitohs Ins
- Adam Elliott
- Latrell Siegwalt
- Liam Le Blanc
- Moala Graham-Taufa
Knights Outs
- Asu Kepaoa
- Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
Rabbitohs Ins
- Edward Kosi
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.
