The nib Newcastle Knights return to the field for a blockbuster showdown with an in-form Brisbane Broncos outfit this Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Fresh off the bye, the red and blue will be hungry for another important victory sitting one point outside of the top eight.
With exciting match-ups all across the park, the teams have been selected ahead of the Round 15 battle.
BRISBANE BRONCOS v nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Date: Saturday, June 10th
Kick-off: 5:30pm
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The match will be shown live on Fox League and Kayo Sports.
Crossland on Broncos challenge and consistent minutes
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 1988
Broncos: 36
Knights: 17
Draws: 1
TEAMS
Match: Broncos v Knights
Round 15 -
home Team
Broncos
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Reece WalshFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Corey OatesWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
-
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni StaggsCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Herbie FarnworthCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Selwyn CobboWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
-
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra MamFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
-
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Adam ReynoldsHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
Forwards
-
Prop for Broncos is number 8 Thomas FleglerProp for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
-
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy WaltersHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
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Prop for Broncos is number 10 Payne HaasProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
-
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki2nd Row for Knights is number 18 Dylan Lucas
-
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Patrick CarriganLock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
-
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Brendan PiakuraInterchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt Mann
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Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Kobe HetheringtonInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
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Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Martin TaupauInterchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
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Interchange for Broncos is number 22 Tyson SmoothyInterchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
Reserves
-
Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Jesse ArtharsReplacement for Knights is number 20 Jack Johns
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
24 HOUR UPDATE: There's been a change in the forwards with Dylan Lucas replacing Lachlan Fitzgibbon in the starting side.
For the Broncos, a change on Friday with Tyson Smoothy promoted to the starting side at hooker for his first game in Broncos colours after four games with the Storm in 2021. Cory Paix goes back to the reserves.
TUESDAY: Knights Head Coach, Adam O'Brien, named his 22-man squad for our clash against the Brisbane Broncos.
NSW Blues State of Origin forward Tyson Frizell returns to start in the back-row while Kurt Mann has been added to the interchange bench.
There are no further changes to the squad which played Manly before the latest bye round.
For the Broncos, Maroons winger Selwyn Cobbo is back on deck after missing the Sharks game with a hip injury so Jesse Arthars goes to 18th Man in the only change.
FORM GUIDE
The Knights bounced back in Round 13 to defeat Manly 28-18 on home turf.
Coming off the bye and the two points, the red and blue sit in 11th spot on the ladder, one point outside of the top eight.
Meanwhile, Brisbane sit in second spot on the ladder with 10 wins from 14.
They defeated Cronulla away from home last start 20-12.
Thompson on bye round and upcoming battle in the middle
KEY MATCH-UP
Reece Walsh v Kalyn Ponga: A huge battle will take place at Suncorp Stadium with two electric and skilful No.1's going head-to-head.
Closing in 100 games in red and blue, KP has notched two tries and four try-assists in his last three games.
Moving back to fullback in the side's last match against Manly, he totalled 169 run metres and four tackle breaks.
The Knights will look to contain the dangerous Walsh, who has 14 try-assists and 17 line-break assists so far this season.
STAT ATTACK
Knights halfback Jackson Hastings leads the NRL in set restarts with 5.
The Knights will be aiming to notch the 400th win in the club’s history.
Brisbane hold the current record over the red and blue having won five of their past six games against the Knights at Suncorp Stadium.
The Broncos lead the NRL in tackle breaks with 529 while the Knights are third on the list with 463.
