The nib Newcastle Knights will travel across the Nullarbor for a huge match-up against the Dolphins at Perth's Optus Stadium.
The Knights will aim for their fifth win on the trot to bolster their top eight credentials heading into the final run of games.
They will face tough competitors in the Dolphins as part of an NRL double header at the state-of-the-art Optus Stadium.
DOLPHINS v nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Date: Saturday, August 5th
Kick-off: 5:30pm
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
The match will be shown live on Fox League and Kayo Sports.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 2023
Dolphins: 1
Knights: 0
TEAMS
Match: Dolphins v Knights
Round 23 -
home Team
Dolphins
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne IsaakoWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
-
Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Kodi NikorimaCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Valynce Te WhareCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Tesi NiuWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
-
Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 16 Isaiya KatoaFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
-
Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Sean O'SullivanHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
Forwards
-
Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Jesse BromwichProp for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
-
Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-KingHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
-
Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Mark NichollsProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
-
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Connelly Lemuelu2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
-
Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Kenneath BromwichLock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 6 Anthony MilfordInterchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt Mann
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Herman Ese'eseInterchange for Knights is number 15 Brodie Jones
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Josh KerrInterchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Jarrod WallaceInterchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dolphins is number 18 Max PlathReplacement for Knights is number 18 Dylan Lucas
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
TUESDAY: Knights Head Coach Adam O'Brien named his 22-man squad for our clash against the Dolphins.
The line-up is unchanged from last round's victory over the Canberra Raiders.
For the Dolphins, Kodi Nikorima moves from five-eighth to centre in place of Euan Aitken (knee) and Anthony Milford slots in at No.6 after an impressive cameo off the bench on Sunday.
Connelly Lemuelu (head knock) has been named to play. Isaiya Katoa is the new face on the bench.
FORM GUIDE
The Knights recorded their fourth consecutive win with their Round 22 victory over the Canberra Raiders last Saturday.
The result moved the side into ninth spot on the ladder and one point outside of the top eight.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins sit in 13th spot on the ladder while they went down 23-22 to the Bulldogs last round.
In the previous meeting between the two Clubs, the Dolphins came out on top 36-20 back in Round 3.
KEY MATCH-UP
Kalyn Ponga v Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow: Two electric fullbacks in fine form will go head-to-head on Saturday.
KP has been back to his best in recent rounds with three tries and seven try-assists in his last five games.
In the recent victory over the Raiders, Ponga ran for 203 metres and kicked six goals.
The fullback will line-up opposite a speedster in Tabuai-Fidow, who has 15 tries for the season.
STAT ATTACK
The match is the Club's first in Western Australia since 1996 when they played the Western Reds at the WACA.
Knights winger Dom Young needs one try to equal the Club record for most tries in a season which is held by Timana Tahu and Akuila Uate with 21.
The Knights haven't won five in a row since the final rounds of the 2021 season.
Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako leads the NRL in points with 183.
