Ultimate Guide: Raiders confirm team
The nib Newcastle Knights are back at home for a Sunday afternoon fixture against the Canberra Raiders at McDonald Jones Stadium.
As part of Voice for Mining Family Day and a triple-header at the home of the Knights, the side will be looking to finish the season on a high starting this weekend.
The side went down to the Brisbane Broncos last start away from home while the Raiders narrowly downed the St George Illawarra Dragons in Round 22.
This is your Ultimate Guide to the Newcastle Knights NRL Round 23 clash with the Canberra Raiders.
nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v CANBERRA RAIDERS
Date: Sunday, August 21, 2022
Kick-off: 4:05pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
AOB: Team culture, debuts and Sunday's occasion
GAME DAY INFORMATION
Gates/ Fan Zone open: 1:15pm
NSW Cup kick-off: 1:30pm
NRLW kick-off: 6:10pm
Game Day itinerary: See here
Theme: Voice for Mining
Tickets: Purchase here
Membership: Take your seat
Merchandise: Show your colours
50/50 Charity Raffle: Westpac Rescue Helicopter
Match Day Sponsor: NSW Mining
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 1988
Played: 53
Knights: 28
Raiders: 23
Draws: 2
TEAMS
Match: Knights v Raiders
Round 23 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Raiders
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tex HoyFullback for Raiders is number 1 Xavier Savage
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Edrick LeeWinger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Krystian MapapalangiCentre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Dominic YoungWinger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Anthony MilfordFive-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Adam CluneHalfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 David KlemmerProp for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden BraileyHooker for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
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Prop for Knights is number 13 Jacob SaifitiProp for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Brodie Jones2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
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2nd Row for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
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Lock for Knights is number 18 Sauaso SueLock for Raiders is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix CrosslandInterchange for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Pasami SauloInterchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Simi SasagiInterchange for Raiders is number 16 Corey Horsburgh
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Interchange for Knights is number 21 Oryn KeeleyInterchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey Harawira-Naera
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 20 Jack JohnsReplacement for Raiders is number 18 Albert Hopoate
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
LATE MAIL: In a late change, Daniel Saifiti has been ruled out having contracted COVID-19.
Jacob Saifiti moves to the front-row, Mat Croker comes into lock while Sauaso Sue joins the bench.
19-year-old Oryn Keeley has been named 18th man and will make his NRL debut if required.
For the Raiders, Tom Starling comes into the run-on team with Zac Woolford dropping back to the bench.
TUESDAY: Knights Head Coach Adam O'Brien named his 22-man squad for Sunday's game on Tuesday.
Bradman Best and Enari Tuala have been stood down from NRL selection due to disciplinary reasons.
Krystian Mapapalangi will become Knights player number 333 when he makes his debut in the centres against the Raiders. The strong ball running 19-year-old back joined the Knights last year and has been in the top squad since the pre-season training.
David Klemmer has been named to return from a knee injury in the front row, Edrick Lee is back on the wing and Jacob Saifiti has been named to start at lock forward.
Recovery Report: Barnett and Clifford updates
For the Raiders, Joseph Tapine is back in the front row so Emre Guler goes to the bench and Ryan Sutton drops to the reserves list.
Winger Nick Cotric returns from a one-game suspension which pushes Albert Hopoate to 18th Man.
FORM GUIDE
A late fightback couldn't get the Knights over the line against a fast finishing Broncos side last round, going down 28-10.
The team sits in 14th with three games remaining.
The Raiders took away two points against the Dragons last start with a 24-22 win in Canberra.
Canberra sit in ninth position on the ladder with 11 wins and 10 losses.
Earlier in the season, the Raiders scored a late try to defeat the Knights in Canberra 20-18.
KEY MATCH-UP
Daniel Saifiti v Joseph Tapine: D-Saf and Tapine will go toe-to-toe on Sunday in a big battle in the forwards.
Saifiti got off the mark with a try last round and 900 post-contact metres in 17 appearances this season.
The forward ran for 176 metres against the Broncos last round, his most in a single game this season.
On the opposite side, the Knights will look to contain Tapine who has 37 offloads for the season and 63 tackle breaks.
STAT ATTACK
The Knights have won three of the last four against the Raiders and the last game in Newcastle back in 2017.
The Knights and Raiders share a record with the highest scoring match in a single game with a 70-32 result in favour of Newcastle back in 2006.
