NRL 2024 team news, Late Mail, Round 18 team news, team changes, team lists, latest team updates and injury news for this week's games

NRL Late Mail: Round 18 - Ponga back to stake Origin claim

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 7 Jul 2024, 03:09 PM

Star fullback Kalyn Ponga is on track to return from injury in Round 18 for the Knights.

See all the late mail, official team news and updates ahead of Round 18 of the 2024 NRL Telstra Premiership competition.

NRL Late Mail: Round 18

Raiders v Knights, Sunday at GIO Stadium

Raiders: No game day changes after Hudson Young came out of the side on Saturday, bringing Ata Mariota into the second row and Emre Guler onto the bench. A new-look backline for Ricky Stuart with Kaeo Weekes at fullback, Jordan Rapana on the wing, Albert Hopoate in the centres and Adam Cook at halfback. Simi Sasagi joins the interchange in place of last week's debutant Jordan Martin, who has entered the NRL's concussion protocols after failing a HIA last week.

Knights: A massive boost for the Knights with skipper Kalyn Ponga back from the foot injury that has sidelined him since Round 7 while Leo Thompson (achilles) is also back on deck in the front row. However, Adam Elliott was a late withdrawal 24 hours before kick-off, with Mat Croker to start at lock. Hooker Phoenix Crossland (concussion protocols) will miss the match so Jayden Brailey starts in the No.9 jumper and Fletcher Sharpe fills the utility role off the bench. No late changes on game day.

Round 18 - Round 18 - Sunday 7 Jul

Full Time

Raiders

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Jordan Rapana

Winger for Knights is number 2 Enari Tuala
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Albert Hopoate

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Will Pryce
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Adam Cook

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii

Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
2nd Row for Raiders is number 15 Ata Mariota

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies

Lock for Knights is number 18 Mat Croker

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Danny Levi

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Fletcher Sharpe
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Trey Mooney

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Simi Sasagi

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Brodie Jones
Interchange for Raiders is number 20 Emre Guler

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Dylan Lucas