nib Newcastle Knights NRL Head Coach, Adam O'Brien, has named his 24-man squad for this Sunday's clash with the Wests Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium.
It will be a homecoming for the Knights NRL side having not played in front of the Hunter faithful since July 2021, coinciding with this week’s announcement McDonald Jones Stadium will remain the home of the Knights until 2026.
The Knights will also donate $5 to the Red Cross Flood Appeal for every person who attends the games on Sunday, joining the NRL in contributing to show our support for the people of NSW and Queensland impacted by the recent natural disaster.
Sunday will be a huge triple-header, kicking off at midday with the Parramatta Eels battling the Sydney Roosters in the NRLW, followed by the inaugural Knights side taking on the St George Illawarra Dragons at 1:45pm.
The Knights and Wests Tigers NRL clash will follow from 4:05pm.
A huge crowd is anticipated for this historic moment, when the Newcastle Knights women’s team play the first ever curtain raiser to a Knights NRL match in front of our loyal Knights supporters.
Adding to the celebrations, homegrown Central Coast talent and reigning Danny Buderus Medal winner, Jacob Saifiti, will notch up 100 games in the NRL.
The two teams will also play for the Allan McMahon Shield, which pays tribute to the Knights inaugural Coach, when the two teams meet for the first time each year.
'Macca' paved the way for the club in its formative years, along with playing 110 first grade games for the Tigers between 1975 and 1981, making him one of the most highly regarded personalities to represent both clubs.
The team is unchanged from the side that defeated the Sydney Roosters in Round 1.
See the team below:
TEAM LIST
1. Kalyn Ponga (C) - Hunter Imaging
2. Dominic Young - Wests Group
3. Dane Gagai - Allara Learning
4. Bradman Best - NBN News
5. Enari Tuala - Taylors Outdoor Power Equipment
6. Jake Clifford - Sydney Direct Fresh Produce
7. Adam Clune - Guardian Safety Solutions
8. David Klemmer - M&J Chickens
9. Chris Randall - Century 21 Novocastrian
10. Jacob Saifiti - Brydens Lawyers
11. Tyson Frizell - Greg Tapp Printing
12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon - East Coast Building & Pest Services
13. Kurt Mann - A Plus Contracting
Interchange:
14. Phoenix Crossland - Palmerbet
15. Mitchell Barnett - Wests Group
16. Leo Thompson - Accolade Wines
17. Jirah Momoisea - Triple M
Extended Bench:
18. Mathew Croker
19. Pasami Saulo
20. Tex Hoy
21. Simi Sasagi
22. Brayden Musgrove
23. Dylan Lucas
24. Daniel Saifiti
DETAILS
Match: Knights v Wests Tigers
Round 2 -
home Team
Knights
1st Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
15th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle