Defend the Kingdom: NRL Round 22 preview

Author: Newcastle Knights
Timestamp: Thu 27 Jul 2023, 12:37 PM

The nib Newcastle Knights will travel down to the nation's capital to take on the Canberra Raiders this Saturday.

Riding the momentum after three wins on the trot, the red and blue will look to keep pushing their claims for a coveted top eight spot.

The match is set to be an enthralling battle at the home of the Raiders with the green machine sitting in fifth spot on the ladder.

CANBERRA RAIDERS v nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Date: Saturday, July 29th

Kick-off: 3:00pm

Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra

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

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Since: 1988

Raiders: 29

Knights: 24

Draws: 2

TEAMS

Round 22 - Saturday 29th July

Full Time

Raiders

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Sebastian Kris

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Albert Hopoate

Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Jarrod Croker

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Matthew Timoko

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii

Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey Horsburgh

Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt Mann
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Brodie Jones
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Pasami Saulo

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata Mariota

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker

Reserves

Replacement for Raiders is number 19 Matt Frawley

Replacement for Knights is number 18 Dylan Lucas

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins

Last updated: 12:25 pm Saturday 7th September 2024

TEAM NEWS

Daniel Saifiti comes out of the team with a thigh injury with brother Jacob taking his spot in the front-row.

Brodie Jones joins the interchange bench and will make his 50th appearance in the NRL against the Raiders.

The rest of the team is unchanged from the side which defeated Melbourne last start.

For the Raiders, their side is unchanged from the team that played the Warriors last start.

WOMEN IN LEAGUE ROUND

Women in League Round is always a special event on the rugby league calendar as the game comes together to celebrate and recognise the significant role women play in our game.

From the Mums driving their kids to training, to the volunteers at junior rugby league, to those working in the game and to the players, the game unites to pay tribute to all the incredible women in rugby league.

This year, for the first time ever Women in League Round will occur during both the NRL and NRLW seasons.

Ahead of the round, the NRL invited Clubs to provide their Role Models to coincide with the round and to be recognised during the broadcasts of their respective games.

The NRL Role Model for 2023 is Executive Assistant, Kellie Wagner.

FORM GUIDE

The Knights earned their third straight win with a 26-18 victory over the Melbourne Storm last start.

Newcastle sit in 10th spot (8W, 1D, 9L) on the ladder, one point outside of the top eight.

Meanwhile, the Raiders sit in fifth spot (11W, 7L) on the competition ladder.

They were defeated 21-20 against the Warriors away from home in Round 21.

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Gagai on Raiders test and team focus

KEY MATCH-UP

Leo Thompson v Joseph Tapine: The battle of the forwards will be worth the price of admission alone on Saturday with Thompson set to clash with Raiders forward, Joseph Tapine.

Thompson has been a consistent figure in the Knights pack this season having yet to miss a game.

Leo has 27 tackle breaks and averages just over nine hit-ups per game, while is still waiting for his elusive first try in the NRL.