The nib Newcastle Knights will return home for a blockbuster Saturday afternoon clash against the Brisbane Broncos in Round 20.
Looking to respond from a last-start defeat to Manly and boost their chances of a top eight finish, the Knights will be fired up to take on last year's grand finalists.
Both teams will have players involved in State of Origin Game III and potentially backing up on Saturday afternoon in Newcastle.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v BRISBANE BRONCOS
Date: Saturday 20 July
NRL kick-off: 5:30pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
The match will be shown live on Fox League and Kayo Sports.
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GAME DAY INFORMATION
We've broken down everything you need to know ahead of kick-off to make sure you enjoy your footy.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 1988
Played: 55
Knights: 17
Broncos: 37
Draw: 1
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TEAMS
Match: Knights v Broncos
Round 20 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Broncos is number 20 Reece Walsh
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Krystian MapapalangiWinger for Broncos is number 2 Corey Oates
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Broncos is number 3 Kotoni Staggs
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Broncos is number 4 Deine Mariner
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Broncos is number 5 Jesse Arthars
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 18 Tyson GambleFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ezra Mam
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson HastingsHalfback for Broncos is number 24 Adam Reynolds
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel SaifitiProp for Broncos is number 8 Corey Jensen
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Broncos is number 9 Billy Walters
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Broncos is number 23 Payne Haas
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Brendan Piakura
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Jordan Riki
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Lock for Knights is number 17 Dylan LucasLock for Broncos is number 22 Patrick Carrigan
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden BraileyInterchange for Broncos is number 10 Xavier Willison
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob SaifitiInterchange for Broncos is number 13 Kobe Hetherington
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Tyson Smoothy
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Interchange for Knights is number 19 Mat CrokerInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Martin Taupau
Reserves
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Replacement for Knights is number 20 Thomas CantReplacement for Broncos is number 16 Josiah Karapani
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
UPDATE: In a late change, Adam Elliott (minor calf) comes out of the squad with Dylan Lucas moving to lock forward.
Mat Croker joins the interchange bench in jersey 19 while Tyson Gamble and Tom Cant remain on the extended bench.
For the Broncos, halfback Adam Reynolds will make his return from a biceps injury after completing Friday morning's captain's run.
Coach Kevin Walters has also received a major boost with three of his four Origin stars cleared to back up. Pat Carrigan, Payne Haas and Reece Walsh are named to start for Brisbane, with Selwyn Cobbo to sit out the match due to groin soreness.
Josh Rogers and Tristan Sailor have dropped out of the squad while Deine Mariner remains in the centres in Cobbo's absence. Xavier Willison and Kobe Hetherington move to the bench
TUESDAY: Kalyn Ponga, Dane Gagai and Bradman Best have been named for this Saturday ahead of their involvement in State of Origin Game III this Wednesday.
Jack Hetherington also returns to the 17 while Dylan Lucas shifts back to the bench.
For the Broncos, Coach Kevin Walters has named the same 17 that went down to the Dragons in Round 19 with the cavalry coming in the form of Origin reps Payne Haas, Reece Walsh, Pat Carrigan and Selwyn Cobbo, who are listed in the reserves alongside Adam Reynolds, who is nearing his return from a biceps injury. The skipper hasn't played since Round 9.
FORM GUIDE
The Knights will look to bounce back after going down to Manly last start.
The red and blue sit in 10th spot on the ladder with 8 wins and 9 defeats.
Ahead of their third and final bye, they will take on a Brisbane side who currently sit in 13th spot.
KEY MATCH-UP
Kalyn Ponga v Reece Walsh: Teammates on Wednesday night. Opponents on Saturday. The battle of the fullbacks is set to light up McDonald Jones Stadium.
In his return game from an ankle injury, Ponga showed his class with 265 run metres and nine tackle breaks.
On the other side, the Knights will need to be wary of the dangerous Walsh having scored 10 tries from as many games this season.
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STAT ATTACK
Knights centre Bradman Best has scored four tries in his past five NRL games.
The Knights sit fourth in the NRL for tackle breaks while the Broncos are sixth with 577.
The Broncos have won the last four matches between the two clubs.
