Knights v Roosters: Gagai sidelined: Roosters guns return
The Knights and Roosters will put their top-four hopes on the line when they face off in a Friday-night showdown at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Newcastle have lost their last two games by two points to drop to sixth on the ladder and are desperate to get their season back on track and remain ahead of a lengthy chasing pack.
Kalyn Ponga has been in exceptional form throughout this season and will orchestrate the Knights high-powered attack on Friday night.
Halves Dylan Brown and Fletcher Sharpe provide an unpredictability, while Bradman Best is set to go toe-to-toe with Roosters and Queensland centre Rob Toia.
Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook is a former Roosters assistant and he will need to use all of his knowledge to shut down a side that has quietly climbed within two points of the ladder-leading Panthers.
Halves Sam Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans have developed an effective combination, while prop Naufahu Whyte has laid the foundation up front.
Fullback James Tedesco is on track to return from a concussion suffered in the State of Origin decider and could prove the difference on Friday night.
Match: Knights v Roosters
Round 21 -
home Team
Knights
6th Position
away Team
Roosters
3rd Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Knights: Fletcher Hunt comes in at centre for Dane Gagai in the only change to Justin Holbrook's starting side. Gagai has been ruled out due to calf tightness. Cody Hopwood returns from a calf injury on the bench while Sandon Smith is named in No.14 and will be hoping for game time this week after going unused against the Sharks.
Roosters: Skipper James Tedesco (concussion) is back on deck and centre Rob Toia returns after being given a post-Origin rest last week. Cody Ramsey and Hugo Savala move to the interchange.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Fletcher HuntCentre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher SharpeFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Daly Cherry-Evans
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Dylan BrownHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Tyson FrizellProp for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Roosters is number 9 Reece Robson
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Trey MooneyProp for Roosters is number 10 Spencer Leniu
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Nat Butcher
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Francis Manuleleua2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat CrokerLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Sandon SmithInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Hugo Savala
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Cody HopwoodInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Salesi Foketi
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Lachlan CrouchInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Egan Butcher
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas CantInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Connor Watson
-
Interchange for Knights is number 18 Harrison GrahamInterchange for Roosters is number 18 Cody Ramsey
-
Interchange for Knights is number 19 Brodie JonesInterchange for Roosters is number 19 Taylor Losalu
Reserves
-
Reserve for Knights is number 20 Kyle McCarthyReserve for Roosters is number 20 Benaiah Ioelu
-
Reserve for Knights is number 21 Elijah Salesa-LeaumoanaReserve for Roosters is number 21 Tommy Talau
-
Reserve for Knights is number 22 Connor VotanoReserve for Roosters is number 22 Toby Rodwell
Knights Ins
- Cody Hopwood
- Connor Votano
- Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
- Kyle McCarthy
Roosters Ins
- Benaiah Ioelu
- James Tedesco
- Robert Toia
- Toby Rodwell
Knights Outs
- Dane Gagai
Roosters Ins
- Rex Bassingthwaighte
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have not defeated the Roosters in Newcastle since 2019.
- The Roosters have won nine of their last 10 games against the Knights.
- Knights second-rower Dylan Lucas has scored nine tries in his last nine games.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored 10 tries in his last 10 games against the Knights.
- The Knights have won their last five games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
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