Defend the Kingdom: Round 11 NRL preview

Author: Newcastle Knights
Timestamp: Wed 10 May 2023, 10:28 AM

The nib Newcastle Knights return home to the Hunter faithful to take on the Gold Coast Titans this Sunday afternoon.

After having a bye during Magic Round, the Knights will look to charge into the Round 11 fixture and collect the two points.

The teams are in for the clash, with the red and blue out to continue their home form.

nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v GOLD COAST TITANS

Date: Sunday, May 14th

Kick-off: 2:00pm

Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

The match will be shown live on Fox League and Kayo Sports.

GAME DAY INFORMATION

Gates/Fan Zone open: 11:15am

NSW Cup: 11:30am

NRL kick-off: 2pm

Merchandise: Show your colours

Tickets: Purchase here

50-50 Charity Partner: Carrie's Place

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Since: 2007

Knights: 14

Titans: 13

Draws: 0

TEAMS

Round 11 - Round 11 - Sunday 14 May

Full Time

Knights

Titans

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Lachlan Miller

Fullback for Titans is number 1 Jayden Campbell
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young

Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai

Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best

Centre for Titans is number 4 Jojo Fifita
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew

Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kalyn Ponga

Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Kieran Foran
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Halfback for Titans is number 7 Tanah Boyd

Forwards

Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti

Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland

Hooker for Titans is number 9 Chris Randall
Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson

Prop for Titans is number 10 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell

2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon

2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Joe Stimson
Lock for Knights is number 17 Jack Hetherington

Lock for Titans is number 13 Isaac Liu

Interchange

Interchange for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker

Interchange for Titans is number 14 Kruise Leeming
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Tyson Gamble

Interchange for Titans is number 16 Klese Haas
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti

Interchange for Titans is number 17 Joe Vuna
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Adam Elliott

Interchange for Titans is number 20 Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui

Reserves

Replacement for Knights is number 21 Dylan Lucas

Replacement for Titans is number 18 Keano Kini

Match Officials

Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 6/3/2024 4:46:33 AM

TEAM NEWS

TUESDAY: Adam Elliott joins the bench, returning from injury since his first Knights' appearance in Round 1 against the Warriors. Phoenix Crossland has also been named as hooker, with Kurt Mann sidelined due to an abdominal injury.

For the Titans, Kruise Leeming returns on the bench for Keano Kini, who has been named as 18th Man. AJ Brimson returns from a hamstring injury and Jayden Campbell continues at fullback.

FORM GUIDE

The red and blue went down the Parramatta Eels last start while have won two out of their last three on home turf. Feeling refreshed after the bye and picking up the two points, we currently sit in 12th spot on the ladder.

On the other side, the Titans sit in 7th spot on the ladder, after a win to Parramatta, 26-24 last Sunday.

KEY MATCH-UP

Tyson Frizell v David Fifita: Two game-breaking second rowers will do battle on Sunday afternoon.

Frizell on building momentum and Titans challenge

A consistent figure for the red and blue, Frizell has led on the right edge in 2023 campaign with three tries and a 97% tackle efficiency so far this season.

The Knights will look to contain the dangerous Fifita who averaged 169 run metres per game plus 13 offloads for the season.

STAT ATTACK

The Knights have won the last four matches against the Titans in Newcastle including a 38-12 victory last season.

Newcastle have three players sitting in the top 10 for tackle breaks in the competition with Lachlan Miller (68), Dane Gagai (52) and Greg Marzhew (46).

So far in 2023, the Knights have an average set completion percentage of 75% while the Titans sit at 76%.