Knights v Wests Tigers: King Kalyn's back; Doueihi good to go
The Knights were pushed all the way last week in their close win against a desperate Dragons and face another side keen to claim back that winning feeling when they host Wests Tigers.
Without their Origin representatives skipper Kalyn Ponga and in-form backrower Dylan Lucas, Newcastle had some star power missing, but got out to a hot start with Fletcher Sharpe scoring two tries in the opening eight minutes.
However, when the inevitable Dragons fightback came, they were able to handle the heat, despite the visitors actually scoring more tries overall.
Wests Tigers also put in a red-hot go against the on-fire Dolphins, opening the scoring and matching it try-for-try early in a high-scoring game.
However, injuries mid-game struck again and halted their fightback, with the attacking class of the Dolphins seeing them seal the match.
However, with another match against a top-level contender this week, the visitors have another chance to show what they have got.
Match: Knights v Wests Tigers
Round 17 -
home Team
Knights
5th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
10th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Knights: A triple boost for the Knights with Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Lucas back after being rested last week and Jermaine McEwen returning from a club-imposed suspension. Fletcher Sharpe reverts to five-eighth and Sandon Smith goes to the bench along with Thomas Cant. NSW Cup front-rower Lachlan Crouch is in line for an NRL debut off the bench.
Wests Tigers: Star playmaker Adam Doueihi returns from a shoulder injury suffered in Round 9 and takes over at halfback from Jock Madden (concussion). Lock Alex Twal (knee) is also back on deck so Alex Seyfarth slides to the bench. The loss of Patrick Herbert (shoulder) sees Starford To'a push in to the centre and Jeral Skelton come in on the wing. Latu Fainu has been recalled on the bench after playing NSW Cup last week.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Sunia Turuva
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Taylan May
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Starford To'a
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Jeral Skelton
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher SharpeFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jarome Luai
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Dylan BrownHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Adam Doueihi
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Trey MooneyProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Tony Sukkar
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jermaine McEwen2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Sione Fainu
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat CrokerLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Sandon SmithInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Josese Lanyon
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tyson FrizellInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Bunty Afoa
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Cody HopwoodInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Seyfarth
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas CantInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Latu Fainu
-
Interchange for Knights is number 18 Lachlan CrouchInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Heamasi Makasini
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Interchange for Knights is number 19 Fletcher HuntInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 19 Mavrik Geyer
Reserves
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Reserve for Knights is number 20 Francis ManuleleuaReserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Javon Andrews
-
Reserve for Knights is number 21 James SchillerReserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Peter Taateo
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Reserve for Knights is number 22 Harrison GrahamReserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Faaletino Tavana
Knights Ins
- Dylan Lucas
- Jermaine McEwen
- Kalyn Ponga
- Lachlan Crouch
Wests Tigers Ins
- Adam Doueihi
- Alex Twal
- Faaletino Tavana
- Javon Andrews
- Jeral Skelton
- Latu Fainu
- Peter Taateo
Knights Outs
- Tyson Gamble
Wests Tigers Ins
- Charlie Murray
- Heath Mason
- Jock Madden
- Patrick Herbert
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have won four of their last five games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Wests Tigers have won their last two games against the Knights.
- Knights five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe has scored 16 tries in 16 games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Tigers fullback Jahream Bula has scored six tries in five games against the Knights.
- Knights winger Dominic Young has scored eight tries in his last six games against the Tigers.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
