Knights v Wests Tigers: Southwell a chance; Horne rested
The Knights returned to the winner's circle last week in their match against the Eels, with gun fullback Tamika Upton scoring a double and debutant Evie Jones crossing for a try in their 36-16 win.
Jones started the match in place of star halfback Jesse Southwell due to concussion, but she wasn't overawed and played her part in helping get the Knights back on track after coming into the game with back-to-back losses.
The Tigers remain on the hunt for their first win after being trampled by the Broncos in their second half of their game to lose 44-14, despite boasting a 14-6 lead at half-time.
Coach Brett Kimmorley said his side "just fell off the cliff" in the second half and misses 50 tackles, so there's no doubt defence will be a big focus for his side coming into the game against the defending premiers.
Match: Knights v Wests Tigers
Round 6 -
home Team
Knights
4th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
10th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Teams news
Knights: Last week's debutant Evie Jones is listed as halfback for this week, but Jesse Southwell has been named in the reserves after sitting out last week due to concussion protocols. There has been only one main change made to the side that defeated the Eels, with Grace Kukutai named on the bench, pushing Viena Tinao to the reserves. Sheridan Gallagher is the new replacement player in place of Jules Kirkpatrick.
Wests Tigers: In the 18th player role last week, Shaianne McGlone comes into the centres for this match, with Rikeya Horne rested as per HIA protocols. McGlone has played four games already this season in the second row. Tess Staines is the new replacement player this round.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika UptonFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Botille Vette-Welsh
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Tenika WillisonWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Rebecca Pollard
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice ParkerCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Leianne Tufuga
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Abigail RoacheCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Shaianne McGlone
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Lilly-Ann WhiteWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Tiana-Lee Thorne
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia RocheFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Evie JonesHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Losana Lutu
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 Rima ButlerProp for Wests Tigers is number 8 Sarah Togatuki
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Salma Nour
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Simone KarpaniProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Christian Pio
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Laishon Albert-Jones2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Brooke Talataina
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Montana Clifford
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Hannah SouthwellLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Najvada George
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Nita MaynardInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Sophie Curtain
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Kayla RomaniukInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Natasha Penitani
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Tayla PredebonInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Tara Reinke
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Grace KukutaiInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Ebony Prior
Reserves
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Replacement for Knights is number 18 Sheridan GallagherReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Tess Staines
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Reserve for Knights is number 19 Jules KirkpatrickReserve for Wests Tigers is number 19 Jessica Kennedy
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Reserve for Knights is number 20 Viena TinaoReserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Claudia Nielsen
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Reserve for Knights is number 21 Isabella WatermanReserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Iemaima Etuale
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Reserve for Knights is number 22 Jesse SouthwellReserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Evie McGrath
Knights Ins
- Grace Kukutai
- Isabella Waterman
- Jesse Southwell
- Sheridan Gallagher
Wests Tigers Ins
- Claudia Nielsen
- Evie McGrath
- Iemaima Etuale
- Jessica Kennedy
- Tess Staines
Knights Outs
Wests Tigers Ins
- Rikeya Horne
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Peter Gough
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have won nine of their past 10 games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Wests Tigers have averaged only 10 points per game in 2024.
- Knights fullback Tamika Upton has scored four tries in her past four games.
- Tigers five-eighth Pauline Piliae-Rasabale has kicked at 80 per cent this season.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
