While the focus is on the nib Newcastle Knights ahead of their clash with the Canberra Raiders on Sunday at GIO Stadium, we looked at some of the things happening in enemy territory ahead of Round 2.
Raiders big man Charlie Gubb is set to make his debut for the home side and will add plenty of power to an already beefed up forward pack when he comes off the bench on Sunday.
Halfback Sam Williams will pair with Blake Austin in the halves and is ready for a tough encounter with the red and blues.
The 26-year-old had plenty of nice things to say about the new look Knights and his opposite number ahead of their clash.
“The Knights were great in Round 1,” Williams said on the Raiders website.
“Mitchell Pearce was one of the most spoken about players in Round 1, I’m a big admirer of the bloke and I think he’s a great halfback.
“They’ve got a few new faces and a few new combinations and I’m sure they’re going to get better and better, so for them they’re only going to be better this week.”
Despite Canberra’s two-point loss last week, prop Shannon Boyd said he’s fit and ready to go against the Knights.
Boyd was wary of a pumped-up Knights following their Round 1 victory.
“They’ll be pretty confident and ready to go, we’ve just got to be ready to match them,” Boyd told the Sydney Morning Herald.
While there’s much talk about Canberra’s intimidating forward pack and their imposing size, the Raiders are still aware of a mobile Newcastle pack.
“(Newcastle’s forward pack is) not too bad,” Boyd said.
“I think we’re a bit bigger than them so hopefully we shoulder overpower them and get on top.”
After debuting in Round 1, hooker Silvia Havili will again get his chance in the starting 13, while Aidan Sezer will again come off the interchange bench to cover the number nine.
Meanwhile, there’ll be a post-game tribute celebrating the life of Kato Ottio, who tragically passed away earlier this year. Both teams will participate, and it will be led by members of the local PNG community.
