The nib Newcastle Knights return home to McDonald Jones Stadium fresh off the bye for a Friday night showdown against the Wests Tigers.
Captain Kalyn Ponga will run out for his 100th game in Knights colours as the team prepares for their final run of games.
The teams are in for Friday's night game with another vital two points on the line.
nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v WESTS TIGERS
Date: Friday, July 14th
Kick-off: 8:00pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
The match will be shown live on Nine, Fox League and Kayo Sports.
GAME DAY INFORMATION
Game Day Itinerary: See here
Gates/Fan Zone open: 5:15pm
NSW Cup: 5:30pm
NRL kick-off: 8pm
Merchandise: Show your colours
Membership: 3 Game Membership
Tickets: Purchase here
50-50 Charity Partner: Mark Hughes Foundation
Match Day Sponsor: Brydens Lawyers
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 2000
Played: 35
Knights: 18
Tigers: 17
Young on riding momentum and try scoring record
TEAMS
Match: Knights v Wests Tigers
Round 20 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Jahream Bula
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Asu Kepaoa
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'a
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Centre for Knights is number 19 Enari TualaCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Tommy Talau
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Junior Tupou
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson GambleFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Will Smith
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson HastingsHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Brandon Wakeham
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel SaifitiProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Stefano Utoikamanu
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 David Klemmer
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 John Bateman
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam ElliottLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt MannInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jake Simpkin
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob SaifitiInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Shawn Blore
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Twal
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat CrokerInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Seyfarth
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 18 Dylan LucasReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Daine Laurie
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
UPDATE: Centre Dane Gagai's return from a foot injury has been delayed for another week as he came out of the starting side on Thursday and was replaced by Enari Tuala.
TUESDAY: Knights Head Coach Adam O'Brien named his 22-man squad for our clash against the Wests Tigers.
Back in front of the red and blue faithful, Knights Captain, Kalyn Ponga, will run out for his 100th game in Knights colours.
The two-time Danny Buderus Medallist made his Club debut back in Round 1 of 2018.
Also, NSW Blues contingent Bradman Best and Jacob Saifiti have both been named to back up from State of Origin duty at this stage.
The rest of the team is unchanged from the victory over the Bulldogs in Round 18.
For the Tigers, hooker Api Koroisau back on deck from the broken jaw he suffered against the Titans in Round 15.
Koroisau's return sees Jake Simpkin move to the bench. Alex Twal returns from suspension on the bench so Aitasi James and Tallyn de Sliva drop out.
FORM GUIDE
Fresh off their last bye for the season, the Knights sit in 14th on the ladder with 19 points and three points outside of the top eight.
The side posted the Club's biggest ever win last time out when they beat the Dogs 66-0.
Fitzgibbon on Warrington move and RLPA action
The Tigers sit in 17th position on the ladder and were defeated 36-12 by the Sharks last round.
The two sides met earlier in the season with the Knights claiming a two-point victory.
KEY MATCH-UP
Daniel Saifiti v Stefano Utoikamanu: Two powerhouse forwards will lock horns on Friday night.
D-Saf will lead the pack for the red and blue, while has played 15 games so far this season.
The front-row forward averages 138 run metres for the campaign plus has nine tackle breaks.
Saifiti will tackle Utoikamanu who averages 109 run metres and 29 tackle breaks for the season.
STAT ATTACK
Knights winger Dominic Young has scored 16 tries from his past 14 games.
Kalyn Ponga will play his 100th game for the Club.
Greg Marzhew leads the NRL in tackle breaks with 109.
The Tigers average 51% possession while the Knights averaged 50%.
