Two winless sides go head-to-head at the SCG on Saturday to kick off round three of the Telstra Women's Premiership and for one club, another loss could spell the end to their finals chances.
The Roosters have been the competition's disappointment so far with back-to-back losses to Queensland sides Brisbane and Gold Coast in recent weeks.
Ball control has been an issue for the Tricolours with an average 60 percent of sets completed in the past two rounds.
Newcastle will take confidence into the clash despite going down to the Broncos 28-10 last week with another game under their belt.
The Knights haven't been much better with their completion rate (63%) this season so as cliché as it may sound, whoever holds the ball on Saturday will go a long way to winning this one.
Match: Roosters v Knights
Round 3 -
home Team
Roosters
5th Position
away Team
Knights
6th Position
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Roosters: Roosters: Inspirational leader Corban Baxter has been named for her first game of the season after battling COVID-19 the past fortnight. Baxter's inclusion will see Brydie Parker shift to the wing and Yasmin Meakes return to the back row. NSW representative Sarah Togatuki returns to prop with Maori All Stars representative Mya Hill-Moana retaining her spot in the 17 from the bench. Shawden Burton shifts to the reserves as 18th player. The team is 1-17 on game day.
Knights: In a boost for the side, Phoebe Desmond returns to the side after missing last week's clash due to a positive COVID-19 test. Kirra Dibb will also start at five-eighth alongside Charntay Poko, with Tahlulah Tillett joining Emma Manzelmann, Charlotte Scanlan and Ngatokotoru Arakua on the bench. Autumn-Rain Stephens plays wing with Katie Green dropping out in the 24-hour submission.
Match: Roosters v Knights
Round 3 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Corban BaxterFullback for Knights is number 1 Romy Teitzel
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Leianne TufugaWinger for Knights is number 2 Katelyn Vaha'akolo
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica SergisCentre for Knights is number 3 Jayme Fressard
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle KellyCentre for Knights is number 4 Bobbi Law
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Brydie ParkerWinger for Knights is number 6 Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Jocelyn KelleherFive-Eighth for Knights is number 17 Kirra Dibb
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Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Raecene McGregorHalfback for Knights is number 13 Charntay Poko
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Sarah TogatukiProp for Knights is number 8 Maitua Feterika
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Knights is number 9 Krystal Rota
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Tayla PredebonProp for Knights is number 10 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Rangimarie Edwards-Bruce
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Georgia Page
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Hannah SouthwellLock for Knights is number 18 Phoebe Desmond
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Zahara TemaraInterchange for Knights is number 7 Tahlulah Tillett
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Keilee JosephInterchange for Knights is number 14 Emma Manzelmann
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Mya Hill-MoanaInterchange for Knights is number 15 Charlotte Scanlan
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Simone KarpaniInterchange for Knights is number 16 Ngatokotoru Arakua
Reserves
-
Replacement for Roosters is number 23 Joeli MorrisReplacement for Knights is number 19 Kyra Simon
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Key match-up
Hannah Southwell v Charntay Poko: Both players offer a different style of play for their sides but are crucial to controlling the middle. Southwell's time with the ball in her hand has been limited due to the side's struggle with their hands but is a constant in defence. Poko looks promising at lock with her ball-playing ability in the middle enabling the Knights to get their attack on from both sides.
Stat attack
On the flip side of failing to complete their sets, both sides are having to do more defensive work with the Roosters (590) and Knights (516) in the top three for most tackles made to start the season. The Roosters have missed the most with 72 in two games and will need to be on alert with Newcastle ranked fourth with 52 tackle breaks.
