Knights v Titans: Crossland returns; Sami eyes club record
The Knights held on in a thriller against the Raiders last week and will be hoping for a much more composed performance when they take on the Titans.
In a seesawing match, Newcastle were pushed all the way and also had to fight back after trailing to snatch the lead mid-way through the second half, holding on to win 26-24 as Canberra mounted a comeback of their own.
Now in sixth place on the ladder, the side just need to keep on winning if they are to sneak into the top four.
For Josh Hannay and his Titans, this match is a chance to bounce back and play the promising brand of football that saw them string together rare back-to-back wins only a few rounds ago.
Coming into this game however, they have suffered two heavy losses and will be working hard to regain that earlier spark.
Match: Knights v Titans
Round 24 -
home Team
Knights
6th Position
away Team
Titans
15th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team News
Knights: No late changes on game day. Centre Bradman Best has been withdrawn again this week, after failing to recover from a calf strain. Fletcher Hunt will start in the centres, with Toby Winter coming on to the bench. Earlier, Best had been named with hooker Phoenix Crossland to be back on deck after missing the win over Canberra due to calf injuries. Harrison Graham heads back to the interchange alongside Tyson Frizell, Lachlan Crouch, Thomas Cant and Pasami Saulo, who returns from a foot injury. Bench forward Brodie Jones suffered a hamstring injury against the Raiders.
Titans: Dean Ieremia has been withdrawn on game day with a hamstring injury. Onto the wing come Jaylan De Groot, with Siale Faeamani elevated to the six-man bench to cover De Groot's promotion. Earlier, Lachlan Ilias was again named in the No.7 jersey with AJ Brimson returning to the centres and Jaylan De Groot sliding to the interchange. Rising back-rower Bodhi Sharpley has been named to make his NRL debut off the bench after 11 Queensland Cup games with Tweed Seagulls this season.
Match: Knights v Titans
Round 24 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Titans
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Titans is number 1 Keano Kini
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Titans is number 3 Jojo Fifita
-
Centre for Knights is number 18 Fletcher HuntCentre for Titans is number 4 AJ Brimson
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Titans is number 19 Jaylan De Groot
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher SharpeFive-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Jayden Campbell
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon SmithHalfback for Titans is number 7 Lachlan Ilias
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Cody HopwoodProp for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Titans is number 9 Oliver Pascoe
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Trey MooneyProp for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Josh Patston
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Francis Manuleleua2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat CrokerLock for Titans is number 13 Chris Randall
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tyson FrizellInterchange for Titans is number 14 Kurtis Morrin
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Lachlan CrouchInterchange for Titans is number 15 Klese Haas
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas CantInterchange for Titans is number 16 Cooper Bai
-
Interchange for Knights is number 22 Toby WinterInterchange for Titans is number 17 Bodhi Sharpley
-
Reserve for Knights is number 14 Harrison GrahamReserve for Titans is number 18 Sam Verrills
-
Reserve for Knights is number 19 Pasami SauloReserve for Titans is number 21 Siale Faeamani
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have won six of their last seven games against the Titans at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Titans halfback Jayden Campbell has scored nine tries in his last nine away games.
- Knights winger Dominic Young has scored 11 tries in six games against the Titans.
- Titans winger Phillip Sami requires one try to break Anthony Don’s club try scoring record.
- Captain Kalyn Ponga will play his 150th game for the Knights.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
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