Late Mail: NRL team locked in for Roosters clash

The team has been confirmed ahead of today's Round 1 clash with the Sydney Roosters.

The team is 1-17 as named earlier in the week while Mat Croker will be 18th man.

On Tuesday, nib Newcastle Knights NRL Head Coach, Adam O'Brien, has named his squad for our clash with the Sydney Roosters at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday afternoon.

Kurt Mann will celebrate a significant achievement with his 150th game in the NRL this weekend.

The 29-year-old has proven himself to be a competitive and consistent performer, and will start the game at lock-forward.

In further exciting news, new signing Leo Thompson will make his NRL debut against the Roosters while Adam Clune will make his Club debut at halfback.

Daniel Saifiti is a notable omission with the forward suffering a small fracture in his left tibia.

The Knights medical staff have been nursing the State of Origin forward since he sustained the injury in the first trial against the Bulldogs.

Saifiti will be monitored and depending on his response to treatment, will hope to be available within the first four weeks of the competition.

See the team below:

TEAM LIST

1. Kalyn Ponga (C)

2. Dom Young

3. Dane Gagai

4. Bradman Best

5. Enari Tuala

6. Jake Clifford

7. Adam Clune

8. David Klemmer

9. Chris Randall

10. Jacob Saifiti

11. Tyson Frizell

12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon

13. Kurt Mann

Interchange:

14. Phoenix Crossland

15. Mitchell Barnett

16. Leo Thompson

17. Jirah Momoisea

Extended Bench:

22. Mathew Croker

18. Tex Hoy

DETAILS