NRL 2026, Round 20, match preview, team lists, Sharks, Knights, updates, injuries

Sharks v Knights: Nikora returns: Bradman's boost

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Tue 14 Jul 2026, 06:01 PM

A place in the top four is on the line when the Sharks host the dangerous Knights at Ocean Protect Stadium on Friday night.

Cronulla enjoyed a feeding frenzy in Redcliffe last week, running in 11 tries in a 66-0 drubbing of the Dolphins.

The Sharks have now won six from their past seven games to leapfrog the Knights into fourth on the ladder.

Halves Braydon Trindall and Nicho Hynes continue to develop a lethal attacking partnership, while Addin Fonua-Blake lays the platform up front and hooker Blayke Brailey is in a sublime stretch of form.

Newcastle fell agonisingly short of a historic comeback against the Rabbitohs last week to lose their first game since Round 14.

Kalyn Ponga was the architect of the comeback and will look to spearhead the Knights attack on Friday night.

Newcastle will likely welcome back NSW Origin hero Bradman Best, who was rested last weekend, and will line up opposite Sharks centre Jesse Ramien.

Cronulla and the Knights sit in fourth and fifth on the ladder, level on 26 points and just two points clear of the Rabbitohs, Dolphins and Cowboys.

Given the close nature of the competition, Friday's clash has major finals implications and promises to be a high-quality contest.

Round 20 - Round 20 - Friday 17 Jul

8:00 am

Sharks

Knights

Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney

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Team Lists Get Tickets

Team News

Sharks: Briton Nikora is back on a deck after a post-Origin rest so Billy Burns slides to the bench. Addin Fonua-Blake will start at prop after coming off the bench against the Dolphins. Oregon Kaufusi slides to the bench to accommodate AFB's return.

Knights: Knights: Blues centre Bradman Best returns so Fletcher Sharpe is back at five-eighth and Sandon Smith goes to the bench. Winger Greg Marzhew has been named to play despite suffering a corked glute and coming off early against Souths. Tyson Frizell starts at prop in place of Cody Hopwood (calf) while Francis Manuleleua has been promoted to the starting side in the second row with Thomas Cant going to the bench. Jermaine McEwen is nursing a hamstring injury. Brodie Jones is the new face on the bench as he chases his first appearance of 2026.

Round 20 - Round 20 - Friday 17 Jul

8:00 am

Sharks

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Jesse Ramien

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicho Hynes

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Dylan Brown

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Knights is number 8 Tyson Frizell
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Thomas Hazelton

Prop for Knights is number 10 Trey Mooney
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Francis Manuleleua
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Hohepa Puru

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Sandon Smith
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Siosifa Talakai

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Lachlan Crouch
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Billy Burns

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Thomas Cant
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Oregon Kaufusi

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Tuku Hau Tapuha

Interchange for Knights is number 18 Fletcher Hunt
Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Mawene Hiroti

Interchange for Knights is number 19 Harrison Graham

Reserves

Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Samuel Stonestreet

Reserve for Knights is number 20 Kyle McCarthy
Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Niwhai Puru

Reserve for Knights is number 21 Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Jayden Berrell

Reserve for Knights is number 22 Tyson Gamble

Briton Nikora
Niwhai Puru
Samuel Stonestreet

Bradman Best
Brodie Jones
Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
Kyle McCarthy
Tyson Gamble

Cody Hopwood

Match Officials

Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated: 7/14/2026 6:36:16 AM

Stat Attack

The Sharks have won six of their last seven games against the Knights.
The Knights have not won at Ocean Protect Stadium since 2014.
Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo requires one try for 50 tries at Ocean Protect Stadium.
Knights lock Mat Croker will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes has won seven from seven against the Knights.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.