Defend the Kingdom: NRL Round 25 & NRLW Round 5 preview
The hottest ticket in town is for this Sunday afternoon at McDonald Jones Stadium with our NRL and NRLW sides all set for a mammoth double-header.
Riding high off six straight wins, the NRL side will collide with fellow finals contenders, the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a huge fixture in the context of the 2023 season.
Meanwhile, our NRLW side will look to continue their strong momentum when they tackle the Brisbane Broncos.
nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS NRL v SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS NRL
nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS NRLW v BRISBANE BRONCOS NRLW
Date: Sunday, August 20th
NRLW Kick-off: 12:00pm
NRL Kick-off: 2:05pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
The NRL match will be shown live on Fox League and Kayo Sports.
The NRLW match will be shown live on Nine, Nine Now, Fox League and Kayo Sports.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
Game Day itinerary: See here
Gates/Fan Zone open: 11:30am
NRLW Kick: 12:00pm
NRL kick-off: 2:05pm
Merchandise: Show your colours
Membership: Knights Youth.Co
Tickets: This match is SOLD OUT
50-50 Charity Partner: Westpac Rescue Helicopter
Match Day Sponsor: NSW Mining
NRL HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 1988
Played: 46
Knights: 27
Rabbitohs: 19
NRLW HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 2021
Played: 2
Knights: 1
Broncos: 1
TEAMS
Match: Knights v Rabbitohs
Round 25 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Rabbitohs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Latrell Mitchell
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Isaiah Tass
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Campbell Graham
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Taane Milne
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson GambleFive-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker
-
Halfback for Knights is number 20 Adam CluneHalfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Lachlan Ilias
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiProp for Rabbitohs is number 8 Jai Arrow
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Damien Cook
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Rabbitohs is number 10 Shaquai Mitchell
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 Keaon Koloamatangi
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Jacob Host
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam ElliottLock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt MannInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Tallis Duncan
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Daniel SaifitiInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Siliva Havili
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Hame Sele
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat CrokerInterchange for Rabbitohs is number 21 Tevita Tatola
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 21 Brodie JonesReplacement for Rabbitohs is number 17 Davvy Moale
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Dave Munro
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
NRL TEAM NEWS
UPDATE: In one late change, Adam Clune will line-up at halfback replacing Jackson Hastings.
TUESDAY: Knights Head Coach Adam O'Brien named his 22-man squad for our huge clash against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
In the only changes from the team which defeated the Bulldogs last round, Bradman Best returns to the starting line-up with Enari Tuala moving back to the extended bench.
Halfback Jackson Hastings has been named in the No.7 after suffering a low-grade syndesmosis injury against the Bulldogs.
For the Rabbitohs, just one change to the 17 which beat the Dragons in Round 24 and it's on the bench, with Michael Chee Kam replacing Benjamin Lovett.
NRLW TEAMS
Match: Knights v Broncos
Round 5 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika UptonFullback for Broncos is number 1 Hayley Maddick
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan GallagherWinger for Broncos is number 2 Lauren Dam
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice ParkerCentre for Broncos is number 3 Mele Hufanga
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Abigail RoacheCentre for Broncos is number 4 Shenae Ciesiolka
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Jasmin StrangeWinger for Broncos is number 5 Ashleigh Werner
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia RocheFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Gayle Broughton
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse SouthwellHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali Brigginshaw
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Rima ButlerProp for Broncos is number 8 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Broncos is number 9 Destiny Brill
-
Prop for Knights is number 19 Felila KiaProp for Broncos is number 10 Breanna Eales
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Caitlan Johnston2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Tazmin Gray
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Romy Teitzel
-
Lock for Knights is number 15 Kayla RomaniukLock for Broncos is number 13 Mariah Denman
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 8 Simone KarpaniInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Jada Ferguson
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Nita MaynardInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Filomina Hanisi
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Laishon Albert-JonesInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Chelsea Lenarduzzi
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Tayla PredebonInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Toni Hunt
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 18 Viena TinaoReplacement for Broncos is number 18 Lavinia Gould
Match Officials
- Referee: Darian Furner
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
NRLW TEAM NEWS
UPDATE: In one late change, Hannah Southwell has come out of the team with Felila Kia replacing the Captain at lock forward.
TUESDAY: Knights NRLW Head Coach Ronald Griffiths named his 22-woman squad for our massive clash against the Brisbane Broncos.
In the only change to the line-up from the last start win over the Titans, Caitlan Johnston returns to the second-row after serving a one-game suspension.
For the Broncos, Brianna Clark and Jasmine Fogavini are both out through suspension.
Gayle Broughton returns after missing last week's clash, while Annetta Nu'uausala and Destiny Brill will also both return after head knocks kept them out in Round 4. Toni Hunt is the new face on the interchange.
VOICE FOR MINING FAMILY DAY
The Club's Voice for Mining Family Day is back for 2023 as we celebrate the important role played by the mining industry in our community.
Entering into it's 11th season, McDonald Jones Stadium will turn into a sea of hi-vis come Sunday.
The NRL side will also don their annual hi-vis jerseys to mark the occasion.
NRL FORM GUIDE
The Knights moved back into the top eight with a last start 42-6 win over the Bulldogs.
The result was also the squad's sixth win in succession ahead of the match against the Rabbitohs.
Newcastle currently sit in 7th spot while the Rabbitohs sit in 8th position.
South Sydney defeated the St George Illawarra Dragons 26-14 in Round 24.
NRLW FORM GUIDE
The Knights moved up to second spot on the ladder after their last round 22-10 win over the Titans.
The result was the side's third win from the first four games.
They will come up against an in form Broncos team who have won their last two including a 22-12 win over the Eels last round.
STAT ATTACK
The NRL side are chasing seven consecutive wins for the first time since 2001-02.
Dom Young still sits one try away from equalling the Club record for most tries in a single season.
Opposition halves Ali Brigginshaw and Jesse Southwell lead the NRLW this season with 32 points each.
Tamika Upton has produced the most amount of linebreak assists so far in 2023 with seven in four games.
