The wait is over, the nib Newcastle Knights are back.
The red and blue will kick off their 2024 campaign with an Elimination Final rematch against the Canberra Raiders this Thursday night at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Members and supporters will have fond memories of the last fixture against the Raiders, with the anticipation building for the next encounter.
nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v CANBERRA RAIDERS
Date: Thursday 7 March
Gates/Fan Zone open: 5:15pm
NSW Cup kick-off: 5:30pm
NRL kick-off: 8:00pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
GAME DAY INFORMATION
See everything you need to know on what's happening at the game this Thursday night.
Tickets: Purchase here
Membership: Play your part
Merchandise: Show your colours
50/50 Charity Partner: Sleapy's Foundation
Match Day Sponsor: PalmerBet
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 1988
Knights: 26
Raiders: 29
Draws: 2
Frizell: 'We're ready'
TEAMS
Match: Knights v Raiders
Round 1 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Raiders is number 1 Jordan Rapana
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Enari TualaWinger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Raiders is number 4 Albert Hopoate
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson GambleFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson HastingsHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Raiders is number 9 Danny Levi
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam ElliottLock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jack CoggerInterchange for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Daniel SaifitiInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Ata Mariota
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Kai Pearce-PaulInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Pasami Saulo
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 18 Jed CartwrightReplacement for Raiders is number 18 Kaeo Weekes
Match Officials
- Referee: Todd Smith
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
TUESDAY: Knights Head Coach Adam O'Brien named his 22-man squad for their opening round battle against the Raiders.
Captain Kalyn Ponga will lead the side out onto McDonald Jones Stadium for the first match of 2024 against last year's Elimination Final opponent.
New recruits Jack Cogger and Kai Pearce-Paul have been included in the team from the interchange bench with the Englishman set to become Knight #346, lining up in jersey 17.
For the Raiders, Ricky Stuart has named their 22-man squad which includes new signings Morgan Smithies and Zac Hosking in the forwards.
KEY MATCH-UP
Jacob Saifiti v Joseph Tapine: It's always a huge battle in the middle between the Knights and the Raiders with both forward packs boasting considerable power and punch.
The head-to-head matchup between J-Saf and Joseph Tapine will be a colossal battle in the middle of the field.
Saifiti averaged 117 run metres last season and was instrumental in the run to the finals in 2023.
The Knights will look to contain Tapine who had 30 offloads and 59 tackle breaks last season.
Saifiti: 'Competition for spots is at an all-time high'
TRIAL FORM
The Knights played two trials across the Pre-Season Challenge prior to Round 1.
The red and blue played Cronulla in the first trial with the match finishing 44-18 to the Knights at Industree Group Stadium, Gosford.
Newcastle then travelled over to Fiji for an historic trial against the Melbourne Storm, with the game ending 28-10 to Melbourne.
The Raiders played two trials with the first a 38-16 win over Parramatta and the second against the Cowboys, ending 36-26 to North Queensland.
STAT ATTACK
Greg Marzhew finished last season with the most tackle breaks in the NRL with 177.
Tyson Gamble will play his 50th game in the NRL (Knights 24, Broncos 24, Tigers 1)
Last season for kick return metres, the Knight sat in 8th with 4,242 while the Raiders were 13th with 3,712.
The match is the first on Australian soil to start the 2024 season.
