Ultimate Guide: Dragons name team for Sunday

Author: Newcastle Knights
Timestamp: Wed 13 Apr 2022, 10:38 AM

The nib Newcastle Knights will travel down to Wollongong chasing a huge two points against the Red V.

After three straight defeats, the Knights will be hungry to return to the winner's circle when they take on the Dragons at WIN Stadium.

The red and blue went down to the arch-rivals, Manly Sea Eagles, last start while the Dragons went down to the Rabbitohs.

The two teams will also contest for the Alex McKinnon Cup in tribute to the inspiring former player.

This is your Ultimate Guide to the Newcastle Knights Round 6 fixture against the St George Illawarra Dragons.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS v nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Date: Sunday, April 17, 2022

Kick-off: 4:05pm

Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Since: 1999

Played: 41

Dragons: 28

Knights: 13

TEAMS

Round 6 - Round 6 - Sunday 17 Apr

Full Time

Dragons

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Moses Mbye

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Mathew Feagai

Winger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Mosese Suli

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Zac Lomax

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Mikaele Ravalawa

Winger for Knights is number 5 Enari Tuala
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Jack Bird

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jake Clifford
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Ben Hunt

Halfback for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Francis Molo

Prop for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Andrew McCullough

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Chris Randall
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Josh Kerr

Prop for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Tariq Sims

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Brodie Jones
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin

Lock for Knights is number 13 Kurt Mann

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Talatau Amone

Interchange for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Blake Lawrie

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Leo Thompson
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Josh McGuire

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Sauaso Sue
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 George Burgess

Interchange for Knights is number 18 Simi Sasagi

Reserves

Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Tautau Moga

Replacement for Knights is number 20 Tex Hoy

Match Officials

Referee: Ben Cummins
Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:26:32 PM

TEAM NEWS

LATE MAIL: Adam Clune is a late withdrawal with Phoenix Crossland coming in at halfback.

Simi Sasagi comes onto the bench while Jacob Saifiti moves into the run-on side with Daniel Saifiti moving to the interchange.

Tex Hoy will be the 18th man.

For the Dragons, the side is 1-17.

TEAM LIST TUESDAY: Knights Head Coach, Adam O'Brien, has named his 24-man squad for Sunday's game.

Edrick Lee returns to NRL football after a long and challenging battle with a foot injury, alongside David Klemmer who has been named to start in the front row.

Lee replaces Dom Young (knee) and Jacob Saifiti moves to the bench.

For the Dragons, Josh McGuire and Tyrell Fuimaono have been named to return from suspensions.

Josh Kerr earns a promotion in the starting side with Aaron Woods dropping back to the bench.

George Burgess comes in for Jackson Ford, who is among the reserves.

Recovery Report: Klemmer and Johns update

FORM GUIDE

The Knights suffered their third defeat of the season with a 30-6 loss to Manly last Thursday.

The side sit in 11th spot after the opening five rounds and will look to return to the winner's circle in the trip down to Wollongong.

Clifford: Dragons preview and big inclusions

After an opening round win, the Dragons have lost their last four games including a 24-12 defeat to the Rabbitohs last start.

St George Illawarra sit in 14th coming into the game.

Newcastle have won two of the last three clashes with the Red V while the Dragons claimed the points in the previous game between the two sides in 2021.

ALEX MCKINNON CUP

The winner will take home the Alex McKinnon Cup in homage to the inspiring former player.

The Knights will look to reclaim the important piece of silverware with the Dragons the current holders of the Cup.

The forward made his debut at the Red V where he made three appearances before returning home to the Hunter in 2012.

McKinnon played in 46 games for the red and blue over three seasons which included a run to the Preliminary Final in 2013.

McKinnon's unbreakable spirit and determination captured the hearts of the rugby league world post his retirement.

The Cup is contested on the first fixture of the season between the two Clubs.

KEY MATCH-UP

Bradman Best v Zac Lomax: Two game-breaking centres will battle it out on Sunday afternoon.

Best has been damaging in the opening five rounds having scored two tries and one try-assist plus notching eight tackle breaks.

The 20-year-old has formed a potent left-edge combination with Enari Tuala.

Best will take on Lomax who has made 11 tackle breaks and averaged 122 running metres. so far in 2022.

Mann: Lee's return and returning to form

STAT ATTACK

The Knights haven't played in Wollongong since 2018 and the red and blue have won four of the last six clashes against the Dragons at WIN Stadium dating back to 1997.

The Knights lead the NRL in total kick metres with just under 3,200 metres.

Kalyn Ponga has scored three tries in his last two games against the dragons.

Dragons halfback, Ben Hunt, leads the NRL for line engagements with 49.