The Knights and Cowboys kick off a NRLW double-header at Belmore Sports Ground on Sunday, with Newcastle sure to be full of confidence after starting their Premiership defence with a victory last week.
Three tries in each half propelled Ronald Griffiths’ side to a 32-16 win over the Dragons, with star fullback Tamika Upton leading the charge with a typically busy effort from the back which included 239 run metres, a try assist and two line break assists.
But with 36 missed tackles on the day and 10 errors, there is plenty of room for improvement ahead of facing competition newcomers North Queensland.
The Cowboys fought bravely in a 16-6 defeat to Queensland rivals the Titans, but were made to pay for some poor first-up contact, which saw them miss 49 tackles, and it’s an area they’ll need to fix quickly ahead of taking on the Knights.
With a fair chunk of Ben Jeffries’ side having appeared at NRLW level for the first time last week, the group are likely to be better for the run this time around.
Newcastle are 4-4 in games away from their home patch at McDonald Jones Stadium since entering the competition in the 2021 season.
Match: Knights v Cowboys
Round 2 -
home Team
Knights
5th Position
away Team
Cowboys
7th Position
Venue: Belmore Sports Ground, Sydney
Team News
Knights: Skipper Hannah Southwell's comeback from an ACL injury has been put on hold after she was left out of the 17 an hour before kick-off. Simone Karapani starts at prop and Tayla Predebon reverts to the bench, with the side otherwise as named mid-week.
Cowboys: A late reshuffle sees China Polata move from the wing to prop, with Jataya Faifua the new addition on the flank. Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly (knee) dropped out of the squad in the 24-hour update, with Vitalina Naikore coming in on the wing as replacement for the suspended Mia Middleton. PNG Orchids representative Essay Banu also dropped off the bench and is replaced by April Ngatupuna. After being a late inclusion in the run-on side last week, Krystal Blackwell keeps the five-eighth job ahead of returning Tahlulah Tillett who has been left out of the final squad.
Match: Knights v Cowboys
Round 2 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Cowboys
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika UptonFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Francesca Goldthorp
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan GallagherWinger for Cowboys is number 2 China Polata
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice ParkerCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Jasmine Peters
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Abigail RoacheCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Shellie Long
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Jasmin StrangeWinger for Cowboys is number 19 Vitalina Naikore
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Caitlin MoranFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Krystal Blackwell
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse SouthwellHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Kirra Dibb
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Rima ButlerProp for Cowboys is number 13 Makenzie Weale
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma Manzelmann
-
Prop for Knights is number 16 Simone KarpaniProp for Cowboys is number 16 Jetaya Faifua
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Caitlan Johnston-Green2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Shaniah Power
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Bree Chester
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Kayla RomaniukLock for Cowboys is number 10 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 8 Tayla PredebonInterchange for Cowboys is number 8 Tallisha Harden
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Nita MaynardInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Sera Koroi
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tiana DavisonInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Sareka Mooka
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Viena TinaoInterchange for Cowboys is number 21 April Ngatupuna
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 21 Felila KiaReplacement for Cowboys is number 22 Jessikah Reeves
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- With victory last week, the Knights are now undefeated in their last four appearances.
- The Cowboys’ 49 missed tackles last week was the most by any team in Round 1.
- Newcastle and North Queensland each have 17 players under the age of 23 in their squads, which is the most in the NRLW.
