The nib Newcastle Knights will travel down the highway to face the Canberra Raiders this Sunday at GIO Stadium.
Bracing for cold conditions in the nation's capital, the match will bring plenty of fire with Newcastle hunting an important two points.
The red and blue will look to bounce back after their last start loss to Penrith at home.
Tough opponents, the Raiders were downed by Brisbane last start while have a strong home record in Canberra.
This is your Ultimate Guide to the Newcastle Knights Round 15 fixture with the Canberra Raiders.
CANBERRA RAIDERS v nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Date: Sunday, June 19, 2022
Gates open: 11:15am
NSW Cup kick-off: 11:30am
Kick-off: 2:00pm
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
AOB: Selections, KP update and reaction to recent form
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 1988
Played: 52
Raiders: 27
Knights: 23
Draws: 2
TEAMS
Match: Raiders v Knights
Round 15 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Xavier SavageFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
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Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick CotricWinger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew TimokoCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian KrisCentre for Knights is number 4 Enari Tuala
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan RapanaWinger for Knights is number 5 Dominic Young
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 23 Matt FrawleyFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Anthony Milford
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Knights is number 21 Adam Clune
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papali'iProp for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac WoolfordHooker for Knights is number 9 Chris Randall
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Knights is number 15 Leo Thompson
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Adam ElliottLock for Knights is number 13 Kurt Mann
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom StarlingInterchange for Knights is number 10 Jacob Saifiti
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Ryan SuttonInterchange for Knights is number 14 Simi Sasagi
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey HorsburghInterchange for Knights is number 16 Mat Croker
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Interchange for Raiders is number 19 James SchillerInterchange for Knights is number 17 Pasami Saulo
Reserves
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Replacement for Raiders is number 16 Corey Harawira-NaeraReplacement for Knights is number 18 Phoenix Crossland
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Nick Morel
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
UPDATE: In one change, Adam Clune returns from an injury to partner Anthony Milford in the halves.
The rest of the side is unchanged with Phoenix Crossland and Lachlan Fitzgibbon remaining on the extended bench.
For the Raiders, five-eighth Jack Wighton has been ruled out of Sunday's match against the Knights due to COVID protocols. Matt Frawley comes into the side as five-eighth.
James Schiller will start on the bench, with Corey Harawira-Naera dropping to the extended bench.
Knights NRL Head Coach, Adam O’Brien, named his 22-man squad for Sunday’s clash
Kurt Mann returns to the starting side in the number 13 jersey, with Mitchell Barnett joining Tyson Frizell in the second row to complete the Knights back row line up.
Captain Kalyn Ponga has been named at fullback and is expected to pass the required mandatory HIA processes this week.
Recovery Report: Clune and Saifiti updates
For the Raiders, Jordan Rapana returns from suspension on the wing in the only change to the 17 that went down to Brisbane.
Josh Papalii is back in the starting side after coming off the bench last week following his Origin commitments.
FORM GUIDE
The Knights went down to the high-flying Penrith Panthers last start 42-6 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Looking to bounce back and push their claims for a top eight spot, Newcastle currently sit in 12th and only four points away from the playoff spots.
The Knights have a 3-4 record on the road this season and most recently downed the Warriors in Redcliffe away from home.
The Raiders were defeated 24-18 by Brisbane in Round 14.
Canberra sit one spot above the Knights in 11th with six wins and eight losses.
KEY MATCH-UP
Anthony Milford v Jack Wighton: New Knights signing, Anthony Milford, will go up against NSW Blues representative, Jack Wighton.
Milford made his debut for the Knights in Round 11 and is close to achieving a huge milestone of 200 games in the NRL.
The five-eight has already shown his game-breaking qualities with four forced drop-outs, averaging 101 running metres and one try-assist.
The Knights will look to contain Wighton who plays an important role in the Raiders attack.
The 2020 Dally M medallist has scored three tries, set-up five more and produced seven forced drop-outs.
STAT ATTACK
The Knights have a strong record against Canberra in recent times with five wins from the last seven fixtures including three straight victories from the last three games.
Enari Tuala has scored four tries in his last three games against the Raiders.
Raiders forward, Joseph Tapine, leads the NRL for post-contact metres with 964.
The Knights have conceded 81 penalties to the Raiders 92 in 2022.
For percentage set completion, the Knights have completed at an average of 75 per cent so far in 2022.
