Titans v Knights: Khan-Pereira sidelined; Thompson, KPP out
Two of the most exciting backlines in the NRL are out to put on a show when the Titans and Knights face off on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Kalyn Ponga has been flawless throughout the opening weeks of the season and he's eager to extend Newcastle's undefeated start to the campaign at Cbus Super Stadium.
The fullback has adopted a playmaking role for the Knights and is sure to pose plenty of questions for the Titans defence.
Ponga sits atop the Dally M standings with a perfect 12 points from two matches and another starring role could see him extend that lead.
The Titans boast plenty of attacking firepower of their own and there were promising signs in last week's loss to the Bulldogs.
While the Gold Coast have had no issues with the ball in hand, the focus this week will be on tightening up their defence after they leaked 40 points last Sunday.
Match: Titans v Knights
Round 3 -
home Team
Titans
12th Position
away Team
Knights
4th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Titans: With speedster Alofiana Khan-Pereira sidelined by a hamstring injury, Tony Francis comes in on the wing for his third NRL game. Iszac Faasuamaleaui has been added to the bench in place of Jaimin Jolliffe (calf).
Knights: With prop Leo Thompson (knee) and back-rower Kai Pearce-Paul (suspension) both missing, Brodie Jones comes into the front row and Adam Elliott starts at lock. The new man on the bench is Thomas Cant.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Titans is number 1 Keano KiniFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Titans is number 2 Tony FrancisWinger for Knights is number 2 James Schiller
-
Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian KellyCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Titans is number 4 Phillip SamiCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Titans is number 5 Jojo FifitaWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
-
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 AJ BrimsonFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
-
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Jayden CampbellHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jack Cogger
Forwards
-
Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki FotuaikaProp for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
-
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Sam VerrillsHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
-
Prop for Titans is number 10 Reagan Campbell-GillardProp for Knights is number 10 Brodie Jones
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Klese Haas2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
-
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Tyson Frizell
-
Lock for Titans is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleauiLock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
-
Interchange for Titans is number 14 Chris RandallInterchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey
-
Interchange for Titans is number 15 David FifitaInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jack Hetherington
-
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Iszac Fa'asuamaleauiInterchange for Knights is number 16 Thomas Cant
-
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Brock GrayInterchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
Reserves
-
Replacement for Titans is number 18 Jaylan De GrootReplacement for Knights is number 18 Kyle McCarthy
-
Reserve for Titans is number 19 Arama HauReserve for Knights is number 19 Jermaine McEwen
-
Reserve for Titans is number 20 Jacob Alick-WienckeReserve for Knights is number 20 Will Pryce
-
Reserve for Titans is number 21 Tom WeaverReserve for Knights is number 21 Matthew Arthur
-
Reserve for Titans is number 22 Ken MaumaloReserve for Knights is number 22 Tyrone Thompson
Titans Ins
- Arama Hau
- Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui
- Jacob Alick-Wiencke
- Ken Maumalo
- Tom Weaver
- Tony Francis
Knights Ins
- Jermaine McEwen
- Kyle McCarthy
- Matthew Arthur
- Thomas Cant
- Tyrone Thompson
- Will Pryce
Titans Outs
- Alofiana Khan-Pereira
- Jaimin Jolliffe
Knights Ins
- Kai Pearce-Paul
- Leo Thompson
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Titans won only four from 11 at Cbus Super Stadium last season.
- The Knights have won five of their past six games against the Titans.
- Titans winger Jojo Fifita has scored eight tries in his past seven NRL games.
- The Knights are aiming for three wins to start the season for the first time since 2015.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
