Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders
Date: Sunday July 3
Venue: GIO STADIUM
Kick off: 11.45am
NYC Teams:
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
1. Nick Meaney, 2. Ken Tofilau, 3. Cory Denniss, 4. Henry Penn, 5. Matthew Soper-Lawler, 6. Jake McNamara, 7. Hayden Herbert, 8. Jayden Butterfield, 9. Nick Newman, 10. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 11. Ryan Glanville, 12. Sam Stone, 13. Braden Robson. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling, 16. Eddy Tuilotolava, 17. Mitch Casson, 18. Pasami Saulo.
CANBERRA RAIDERS
1. Thomas Cronan, 2. Harry van Dartel, 3. Robert Vai, 4. Nick Cotric, 5. Jack Hickson, 6. Lachlan Croker, 7. Logan Spaander, 8. Zac Masters, 9. Zac Woolford ©, 10. William Samuel, 11. Jack Williams, 12. Jack Murchie, 13. Jarred Tuite, 14. Bailey Hartwig, 15. Daniel Dole, 16. Sione Afemui, 17. Fabian Paletua-Kiri, 18. Emre Guler.
Match Analysis:
The NYC Newcastle Knights take on the task of playing the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium on Sunday and are intent on bringing plenty of energy to the Round 17 encounter.
While the expected chilly winter conditions in Canberra will be a factor to contend with on Sunday, it's not going to distract the young Knights from their objective.
"I think it's something I'll mention, as I'm sure the boys are aware of it, but it's just something you have to deal with," coach Todd Lowrie said during the week.
The Knights hold eighth place on the competition ladder and strive for a win to continue their trajectory towards the semis.
And after matching up against the Raiders previously this season, the Knights know what to expect from this weekend's opposition.
"They beat us up here in Round 3. They are sitting a little bit below us on the table but we will need to be good to beat them," he said.
"We played them in the trial and earlier this year and they have played really well against us both times.
"They are a big, strong, tough team and we will need to be good to beat them."
The side has welcomed back Cory Denniss' after a number of appearances playing in first grade with the towering winger contributing plenty in the NYC team environment.
"He's brought a little bit back and has shown that in meetings," he said.
"He has a little bit of experience now and is a quiet, shy kid.
"It's good to see he's come back with a bit of first grade experience and is offering that expereince to the other guys which is good."
In saying that, the Raiders' five-eighth Lachlan Croker has also spent time on the NRL stage and will be one for the Knights to shut down on Sunday.
Where it will be won:
Ruck defence.
"I think we will need to be good around the ruck," Lowrie said.
"Their number nine, Zac Woolford he's very good and cut us to pieces last time.
"We will need to be good around the ruck and control that area and contain their better outside backs."
