Defend the Kingdom: NRLW Round 9 preview
The nib Newcastle Knights NRLW squad will play the Wests Tigers to complete the 2023 regualar season at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday night.
After six consecutive wins, the red and blue need one more win to claim the minor premiership and a home semi-final.
They will face the Tigers who sit in eighth spot heading into the final round.
WESTS TIGERS v nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Date: Thursday, September 14th
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Venue: Leichhardt Oval
The match will be shown Nine, Nine Now, Fox League and Kayo Sports
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This is the first match between the two Clubs.
TEAMS
Match: Wests Tigers v Knights
Round 9 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 20 Pauline Piliae-RasabaleFullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika Upton
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Jakiya WhitfeldWinger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan Gallagher
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Rikeya HorneCentre for Knights is number 3 Shanice Parker
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Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Leianne TufugaCentre for Knights is number 4 Abigail Roache
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Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Rebecca PollardWinger for Knights is number 5 Jasmin Strange
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Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Emily CurtainFive-Eighth for Knights is number 23 Caitlin Moran
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Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Brooke TalatainaHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse Southwell
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Folau VakiProp for Knights is number 8 Tayla Predebon
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Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Sophie CurtainHooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Christian PioProp for Knights is number 10 Caitlan Johnston
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Hope Tevaga2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Laishon Albert-Jones
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2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 21 Taylor Osborne2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale
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Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Najvada GeorgeLock for Knights is number 13 Hannah Southwell
Interchange
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Imogen GobranInterchange for Knights is number 14 Nita Maynard
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Jae PatuInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jacinta Carter
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Jessica KennedyInterchange for Knights is number 16 Kayla Romaniuk
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Salma NourInterchange for Knights is number 17 Tiana Davison
Reserves
-
Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Bianca BennettsReplacement for Knights is number 18 Felila Kia
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
UPDATE: Caitlin Moran comes in for Georgia Roche at five-eighth
TUESDAY: For the Tigers, Emily Curtain returns from a leg injury to partner Brooke Talataina in the halves in the side's final game of the year. Sarah Togatuki (leg) is out after she came off following a hip-drop tackle incident with Folau Vaki to start up front, along with Eliza Siilata, who suffered a facial injury.
Pauline Piliae-Rasabale moves to the reserves
FORM GUIDE
The Knights have won six games in a row to secure a semi-finals finish.
Newcastle defeated the Sydney Roosters 20-4 last start while a win against the Tigers would wrap up the minor premiership and a home semi-final next Sunday.
The Tigers sit in eighth spot with two wins and six defeats.
They were narrowly defeated 22-18 by the Brisbane Broncos in Round 8.
KEY MATCH-UP
Tamika Upton v Bottile Vette-Welsh: Two of the game's best fullback will go head-to-head.
Upton has been in sensational form for the red and blue scoring two tries and 274 run metres against the Roosters last game.
The fullback has averaged 221 metres for the season so far.
The Knights will take on Vette-Welsh who boasts quick speed and has 16 tackle breaks this season.
STAT ATTACK
Sheridan Gallagher has made 11 linebreaks in eight appearances for the Knights
Knights need one more win to become minor premiers for the season.
Wests Tigers have the second-best completion rate in the competition with Newcastle ranked equal 7th, completing at 72 percent.
