Defend the Kingdom: NRLW Round 8 preview
Kicking off a big weekend of rugby league in Newcastle, a top of the table clash will headline an exciting day at McDonald Jones Stadium this Saturday.
The Knights NRLW side will host a blockbuster 1v2 fixture against rivals, the Sydney Roosters, with the winner to move to first spot on the ladder with finals approaching.
With intriguing match-ups across the park, the squads are in with the Knights chasing six wins on the bounce.
nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Date: Saturday, September 9th
Kick-off: 1:30pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
The match will be shown live on Nine, Nine Now, Fox League and Kayo Sports.
Griffiths on NRLW double header and Roosters preview
GAME DAY INFORMATION
Game Day itinerary: See here
Gates Open/Fan Zone: 11am
NRLW Tigers v Broncos: 11:30am
NRLW Knights v Roosters 1:30pm
Merchandise: Show your colours
Membership: 2024 Membership on sale
Tickets: Purchase here
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 2021
Knights: 0
Roosters: 2
TEAMS
Match: Knights v Roosters
Round 8 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika UptonFullback for Roosters is number 1 Corban Baxter
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan GallagherWinger for Roosters is number 2 Brydie Parker
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice ParkerCentre for Roosters is number 3 Jayme Fressard
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Abigail RoacheCentre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle Kelly
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Jasmin StrangeWinger for Roosters is number 5 Mia Wood
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia RocheFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Tarryn Aiken
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse SouthwellHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Jocelyn Kelleher
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 Tayla PredebonProp for Roosters is number 10 Mya Hill-Moana
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Roosters is number 9 Keeley Davis
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Caitlan JohnstonProp for Roosters is number 15 Grace Hamilton
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Laishon Albert-Jones2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Otesa Pule
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Hannah SouthwellLock for Roosters is number 13 Keilee Joseph
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Nita MaynardInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Lily Rogan
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Kayla RomaniukInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Pani Hopoate
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Tiana DavisonInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Amelia Pasikala
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Interchange for Knights is number 18 Jacinta CarterInterchange for Roosters is number 18 Teuila Fotu-Moala
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 22 Felila KiaReplacement for Roosters is number 19 Lexi Kiriwi
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
UPDATE: A change on Friday sees 19-year-old forward Jacinta Carter join the bench to make her NRLW debut with Viena Tinao dropping out of the side.
TUESDAY: Knights NRLW Head Coach Ronald Griffiths has named his 22-woman squad.
There were no changes for the home side ahead of the top of the table match-up against the Roosters on home turf.
For the Roosters, Jess Sergis is set to undergo surgery on a fractured finger and will miss the clash despite being included in the reserves.
Jayme Fressard returns from a head knock and moves to centre with Mia Wood retaining her spot on the wing.
Young gun Lily Rogan has been included on the bench and could be in line to make her NRLW debut.
FORM GUIDE
The Knights have won five games in a row to sit second on the ladder heading into the fixture.
A win would secure a semi-final finish for the NRLW side with the top two teams to host the playoff games.
On the other side, the Roosters sit in first position with six wins and one defeat.
The Roosters defeated the Parramatta Eels 46-12 last round.
Maynard on joining Newcastle and NRLW experience
KEY MATCH-UP
Yasmin Clydsdale v Olivia Kernick: It will be a mammoth battle between two tough forward packs on Sunday with Clydsdale set to take on Kernick.
Yasmin has consistently been one of the Knights best week in, week out in 2023 with her tenacity and competitiveness in the back-row.
The forward has scored three tries, averaged 120 run metres and made four line-breaks so far this season.
Clydsdale will tackle Kernick who has six line-break assists and four offloads in 2023.
Parker on attack combinations and top of the table battle
STAT ATTACK
Sheridan Gallagher leads the NRL for line breaks with 10.
Tamika Upton ran for a whopping 226 run metres against the Raiders last start.
The Knights defence will have to be on their game with the Roosters scoring the most points in the competition so far with 240.
The Knights are yet to beat the Tricolours in the NRLW competition.
