Titans v Knights: Weaver to start; Saifiti, Armstrong good to go
The Knights are on a roll with three-straight wins to their name ahead of facing a Titans outfit who now look far more dangerous than the group who went winless through their first six games.
With a dominant second-half performance last Saturday in Tamworth, Newcastle continued their strong run which is defying the expectations of many following the loss of captain Kalyn Ponga.
It's been a simple recipe of late for Adam O'Brien's side, with high completion rates and a patient approach allowing the likes of Bradman Best and rookie fullback David Armstrong to impose themselves on contests against tiring defensive lines.
The same was true for the Titans through the opening exchanges last Sunday and on the back of it they raced out to a 20-0 lead over the Cowboys, before handling errors and some other bad habits crept in and almost cost them their second win of the season.
The Knights have won three of their past four against the Titans and are returning to Magic Round after missing last year due to the bye, while the Gold Coast won a thriller over the Eels at the annual event in Brisbane last year.
Sportsbet Betting Preview - Titans v Knights
Team News
Titans: Tom Weaver is a late inclusion at halfback and will partner Chris Randall at the scrumbase, with Sam Verrills shifting to his more familiar role of hooker. Erin Clark, initially set to start at hooker, moves the bench. Keenan Palasia will play his first game for the club since going out in Round 4 with a quad injury.
Knights: Coach Adam O'Brien has made one late change, with England forward Kai Pearce-Paul to start and Tyson Frizell shifting to the bench. O'Brien confirmed on Friday that Bradman Best, Dane Gagai and Frizell had all completing training this week despite nursing niggles from Round 10. Fullback David Armstrong is also cleared after suffering a head knock late on against Wests Tigers.
Match: Titans v Knights
Round 11 -
home Team
Titans
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Titans is number 1 Keano KiniFullback for Knights is number 1 David Armstrong
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Winger for Titans is number 2 Alofiana Khan-PereiraWinger for Knights is number 2 Enari Tuala
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Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian KellyCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Titans is number 4 Aaron SchouppCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
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Winger for Titans is number 5 Jojo FifitaWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
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Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Chris RandallFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jack Cogger
-
Halfback for Titans is number 18 Tom WeaverHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
Forwards
-
Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki FotuaikaProp for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
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Hooker for Titans is number 7 Sam VerrillsHooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
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Prop for Titans is number 10 Jaimin JolliffeProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
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2nd Row for Titans is number 11 David Fifita2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Dylan Lucas
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2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor2nd Row for Knights is number 15 Kai Pearce-Paul
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Lock for Titans is number 13 Klese HaasLock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
-
Interchange for Titans is number 9 Erin ClarkInterchange for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
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Interchange for Titans is number 14 Keenan PalasiaInterchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
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Interchange for Titans is number 15 Isaac LiuInterchange for Knights is number 16 Brodie Jones
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Interchange for Titans is number 16 Josiah PahuluInterchange for Knights is number 17 Jack Hetherington
Reserves
-
Replacement for Titans is number 19 Tony FrancisReplacement for Knights is number 18 Mat Croker
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Titans have won four of their past six games at Suncorp Stadium.
- The Knights have won three of their past four games against the Titans.
- Titans second-rower David Fifita has scored seven tries in his past five games against the Knights.
- Knights winger Enari Tuala will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Match: Titans v Knights
Round 11 -
home Team
Titans
16th Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
