The Newcastle Knights 18-man squad for the Auckland Nines tournament has been finalised, with new recruit Pauli Pauli set to play.
After signing with the Club on Friday, Pauli has been named in place of Lachlan Fitzgibbon in an otherwise unchanged squad.
Coach Nathan Brown has announced Tariq Sims, Robbie Rochow and Tyler Randell will joint-captain the team during the Nines tournament.
SQUAD:
1. Jake Mamo
2. Nathan Ross
3. Jaelen Feeney
4. Akuila Uate
6. Brock Lamb
7. Will Pearsell
8. Pauli Pauli
9. Tyler Randell (c)
10. Daniel Saifiti
11. Korbin Sims
12. Robbie Rochow (c)
13. Jacob Saifiti
14. Sione Mata’utia
15. Joseph Tapine
16. Tariq Sims (c)
17. Chanel Mata’utia
18. Danny Levi
19. Pat Mata’utia
The Knights travel to Auckland on Wednesday, with a junior club visit scheduled for Thursday afternoon at Waitemata League and a fan event at Aotea Square on Friday.
NINES SCHEDULE
Thursday February 4:
Club community visit
The Newcastle Knights will visit Waitemata Junior Rugby League Club on Thursday afternoon from 5pm – 6.30pm.
Venue: Ranui Domain, Robertson Road, Ranui
Friday February 5:
Fan Day at Aotea Square
The Newcastle Knights will be attending the Fan Day at Aotea Square between 11.45am and 1pm.
NRL club members converging on Auckland for the 2016 Downer NRL Auckland Nines will again be treated to exclusive access to the NRL and Sportsnet Members Lounge on Downer Auckland Nines Fan Day at Aotea Square.
Club Members will be able to meet with players from each Nines squad, create video clips with their favourite players, relax with family and friends, and receive photographic keepsakes.
With the lounge open from 10am to 4pm on Friday, February 5, it will provide club members with the perfect chance to prepare for one of the most exciting weekends of attacking rugby league the NRL has to offer.
Club Members will be asked to present their 2016 season pass to gain entry to the lounge. Members yet to receive their 2016 pass from their club will still be granted access, with staff able confirm their membership via the membership database. Fans who wish to sign up as members on the day and access the lounge will be able to do so via the membership sales marquee located in Aotea Square.
Club Members will also be able to bring up to three guests to accompany them in the lounge, with non-members able to get a taste of the benefits of NRL club membership.
When: Friday, February 5, 10am – 4pm
Where: Aotea Square, Auckland
Saturday February 6 at Eden Park:
Knights v North Queensland Cowboys
Kick off: 1.20pm
Knights v Penrith Panthers
Kick off: 5.15pm
Sunday February 7 at Eden Park:
Knights v Wests Tigers
Kick off: 11.25am
