Defend the Kingdom: NRLW Round 7 preview
The nib Newcastle Knights NRLW side will head down to the nation's capital for their first clash against the Canberra Raiders this Saturday.
The squad currently sit in second on the competition ladder with five wins to their name, off the back of four triumphs in a row.
Coming up against a strong Raiders outfit who haven't been beat at home this year, the Knights will look to rise to the challenge.
CANBERRA RAIDERS v nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Date: Saturday, September 2nd
Kick-off: 11:05am
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
The match will be shown live on Nine, Nine Now, Fox League and Kayo Sports.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This is the first match between the two Clubs.
TEAMS
Match: Raiders v Knights
Round 7 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Apii NichollsFullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika Upton
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Winger for Raiders is number 2 Madison BartlettWinger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan Gallagher
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Cheyelle Robins-RetiCentre for Knights is number 3 Shanice Parker
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Mackenzie WikiCentre for Knights is number 4 Abigail Roache
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Shakiah TungaiWinger for Knights is number 5 Jasmin Strange
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Zahara TemaraFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia Roche
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ashleigh QuinlanHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse Southwell
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Sophie HolymanProp for Knights is number 8 Tayla Predebon
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Chanté TemaraHooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
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Prop for Raiders is number 13 Simaima TaufaProp for Knights is number 10 Caitlan Johnston
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Elise Smith2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Laishon Albert-Jones
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 20 Monalisa Soliola2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale
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Lock for Raiders is number 12 Hollie-Mae DoddLock for Knights is number 13 Hannah Southwell
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 8 Grace KempInterchange for Knights is number 14 Nita Maynard
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Kerehitina MatuaInterchange for Knights is number 15 Kayla Romaniuk
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Interchange for Raiders is number 18 Petesa LioInterchange for Knights is number 16 Tiana Davison
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Interchange for Raiders is number 21 Jessica GentleInterchange for Knights is number 17 Viena Tinao
Reserves
-
Replacement for Raiders is number 19 Ella RyanReplacement for Knights is number 18 Jacinta Carter
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Senior Review Official: Dave Munro
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
Knights NRLW Head Coach Ronald Griffiths has named his 22-woman squad for their Round 7 clash against the Canberra Raiders.
Tayla Predebon will start in the front row with Kayla Romaniuk moving back to the interchange bench.
Griffiths on squad mindset and starting line-up
Tiana Davison has also been named on the interchange bench with Nita Maynard and Viena Tinao.
For the Raiders, Apii Nicholls returns from a foot injury at fullback, which means Shakiah Tungai moves back to the wing after filling in there last week and Jessica Gentle drops out of the 17.
Sophie Holyman is named to start at prop, while Elise Smith returns in the second row after being 18th woman in Round 6, with Kere Matua reverting to the bench.
FORM GUIDE
The Knights notched their fourth win in succession with their Round 6 22-14 victory over the Sharks.
Newcastle sit in second position on the ladder with five wins and one defeat, while there are three games remaining in the regular season.
On the other side, the Raiders went down 40-8 to the Broncos last start.
Canberra sit in fourth spot on the ladder with four wins and two losses.
Roche on building combinations and new experiences
KEY MATCH-UP
Caitlan Johnston v Grace Kemp: It will be a strong battle in the middle between two powerhouse forwards.
Johnston returned to the front-row in the win over the Sharks running for 123 metres combined with a try-assist.
CJ also has five tackle breaks for the season and three offloads.
The Knights will look to contain Kemp who has been a metre-eater for the Raiders.
Southwell on Canberra challenge and team focus
STAT ATTACK
Winger Sheridan Gallagher leads the NRLW in line-breaks with 9.
The Raiders haven't lost at home in three attempts this season.
Jesse Southwell leads the competition in goal kicks with 20 so far this season.
