The nib Newcastle Knights are headed to the nation's capital this Sunday for a fierce showdown against the Canberra Raiders.
Coming off a heartbreaking, last-start loss to the Warriors, the squad will be looking for a bounce-back performance to keep their finals hopes alive.
The Raiders will prove tough opposition, currently leading the competition ladder, to shape up a huge battle for the red and blue.
Match Preview
Teams
Match: Raiders v Knights
Round 21 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo WeekesFullback for Knights is number 1 Dane Gagai
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Winger for Raiders is number 2 Jed StuartWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
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Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew TimokoCentre for Knights is number 3 Fletcher Hunt
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Centre for Raiders is number 4 Simi SasagiCentre for Knights is number 22 Kyle McCarthy
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Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier SavageWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
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Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan StrangeFive-Eighth for Knights is number 14 Tyson Gamble
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Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal FogartyHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jack Cogger
Forwards
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Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh PapaliiProp for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
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Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom StarlingHooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
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Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph TapineProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen
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2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
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Lock for Raiders is number 13 Corey HorsburghLock for Knights is number 13 Phoenix Crossland
Interchange
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Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Owen PattieInterchange for Knights is number 6 Jackson Hastings
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Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Noah MartinInterchange for Knights is number 15 Mat Croker
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Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Morgan SmithiesInterchange for Knights is number 16 Tyson Frizell
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Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata MariotaInterchange for Knights is number 17 Jack Hetherington
Reserves
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Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Manaia WaitereReplacement for Knights is number 18 Thomas Cant
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Grant Atkins
Last updated:
Head-to-Head
Since: 1988
Played: 60
Raiders: 31
Knights: 27
Draws: 2
Key Match-Up
Dane Gagai v Kaeo Weekes: Gagai v Weekes is a mouth-watering battle this Sunday afternoon football.
Gagai has been one of the Knights best this season highlighted by his performance last round against the Warriors.
The Knights outside-back had five tackle breaks, a try and two try-assists in Round 20.
Newcastle will be wary of the threat of Weekes, who has seven tries and five try-assists this season.
Stat Attack
The Knights have won three of their past four away games.
The Raiders have won seven from eight at GIO Stadium this season.
Dane Gagai sits third in the NRL for tackle breaks with 102.