The nib Newcastle Knights will be feeling fresh after the bye and ready to tackle the high-flying Penrith Panthers this Sunday.
Ahead of Members Appreciation Round at McDonald Jones Stadium, the two teams have been named with multiple Origin representatives included.
The Knights battled hard to earn a victory over the Warriors last start and will look to kickstart the back end of their campaign with a win over Penrith.
It will be no easy task with the Panthers sitting first on the ladder with only one loss to their name.
This is your Ultimate Guide to the Newcastle Knights Round 14 clash with the Penrith Panthers.
nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v PENRITH PANTHERS
Date: Sunday, June 12, 2022
Kick-off: 4:05pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
GAME DAY INFORMATION
Gates/ Fan Zone open: 12:45pm
Game Day Itinerary: See here
Theme: Members Appreciation Round
Tickets: Purchase here
Membership: Take your seat
Merchandise: Show your colours
50/50 Charity Raffle: OzHarvest
Match Day Sponsor: McDonald Jones Homes
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 1988
Played: 52
Knights: 24
Panthers: 24
Draws: 4
TEAMS
Match: Knights v Panthers
Round 14 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Edrick LeeWinger for Panthers is number 2 Taylan May
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Panthers is number 3 Izack Tago
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Enari TualaCentre for Panthers is number 4 Stephen Crichton
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Dominic YoungWinger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Anthony MilfordFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jarome Luai
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jake CliffordHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 David KlemmerProp for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Chris RandallHooker for Panthers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Jacob SaifitiProp for Panthers is number 10 James Fisher-Harris
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Viliame Kikau
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Mitchell BarnettLock for Panthers is number 16 Matthew Eisenhuth
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt MannInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Mitch Kenny
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Simi SasagiInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott Sorensen
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Leo ThompsonInterchange for Panthers is number 17 Jaeman Salmon
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat CrokerInterchange for Panthers is number 22 Spencer Leniu
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 18 Pasami SauloReplacement for Panthers is number 18 Robert Jennings
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
UPDATE: The Knights are as per program with Tex Hoy and Pasami Saulo remaining on the extended bench.
For the Panthers, Isaah Yeo will be rested after playing in Origin with Matt Eisenhuth taking his spot in the starting side and Spencer Leniu joining the bench.
Knights Coach, Adam O’Brien, named his 22-man squad for Sunday’s clash.
Queensland representatives, Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai, have been named in their usual starting positions for the match, with their involvement to be determined after Wednesday’s State of Origin encounter.
NSW Blues Tyson Frizell and Jacob Saifiti will return from camp to re-join the squad on Thursday.
Kurt Mann has been named to return from a foot injury on the bench.
For the Panthers, all six Origin representatives in Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo, Stephen Crichton, Brian To'o and Jarome Luai have all been named to back up should they come through Wednesday's Origin opener unscathed.
The only change to te squad that beat the Cowboys in round 12 is Matt Eisenhuth earning a spot on the bench ahead of Spencer Leniu.
FORM GUIDE
The Knights rested up with the bye last round after their last start 24-16 win over the Warriors.
Newcastle sit 12th on the ladder (four wins, eight losses) and have won two out of the last four.
At the halfway mark of the season, the Panthers sit top of the ladder with 12 wins and one loss.
Penrith downed the Bulldogs last round 30-18 and have won their last four clashes.
The two Clubs are equal on the record count with 24 wins each.
KEY MATCH-UP
Tyson Frizell v Viliame Kikau: A ripping battle between two dynamic and hard-running second-row forwards will take place at MJS on Sunday.
Fresh off another Origin selection and camp, Frizell will be eager to take on the Panthers forwards.
The 200-game player has scored three tries, averaged 110 run metres and provided 11 offloads so far in 2022.
On the other side, Kikau has been strong for the competition frontrunners.
The Knights will look to shutdown the powerful forward who has scored five tries, 11 line-break assists and averaged 95 run metres.
STAT ATTACK
The Knights have had four draws with the Panthers, the most out of any opposition team in the Club's history.
Newcastle sit fifth in the NRL for offloads with 126.
Panthers fullback, Dylan Edwards, leads the NRL for kick-return metres with just over 1,200.
David Klemmer has averaged 147 run metres from his eight games this season.
