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The NRLW season is here and the nib Newcastle Knights are set to light the fuse on the new campaign.
The red and blue will tackle the Sydney Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday night.
The Round 1 clash will launch the entire NRLW campaign with the two star-studded squads named for the epic encounter.
Jeffries: 'We're ready to go'
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Date: Thursday 25 July
Gates open: 6:45pm
NRLW kick-off: 7:45pm
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
The match will be shown live on Nine, Nine Now, Fox League and Kayo Sports.
GAME DAY INFORMATION
Southwell: 'We're going to hunt everyone back'
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 2021
Played: 3
Knights: 1
Roosters: 2
TEAMS
Match: Knights v Roosters
Round 1 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika UptonFullback for Roosters is number 1 Isabelle Kelly
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan GallagherWinger for Roosters is number 2 Taina Naividi
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice ParkerCentre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica Sergis
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Abigail RoacheCentre for Roosters is number 4 Jasmin Strange
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Isabella WatermanWinger for Roosters is number 5 Mia Wood
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia RocheFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Jayme Fressard
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse SouthwellHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Tarryn Aiken
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Tayla PredebonProp for Roosters is number 8 Millie Elliott
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Roosters is number 9 Keeley Davis
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Caitlan Johnston-GreenProp for Roosters is number 10 Pani Hopoate
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Laishon Albert-Jones2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Otesa Pule
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Hannah SouthwellLock for Roosters is number 13 Aliyah Nasio
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Nita MaynardInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Jocelyn Kelleher
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Kayla RomaniukInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Eliza Lopamaua
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Rima ButlerInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Samantha Economos
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Grace KukutaiInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Mya Hill-Moana
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 18 Jacinta CarterReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Imogen Hei
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
NRLW Head Coach Ben Jeffries has named his squad for their Round 1 clash against the Sydney Roosters.
In team news, new recruits Isabella Waterman and Grace Kukutai will make their NRLW debuts in front of the Hunter faithful.
The pair have made the transition from Rugby Union in New Zealand with Waterman to start on the wing and Kukutai to make her impact from the interchange bench.
The two debutants are the only changes from the side which won last year's Grand Final in Sydney.
Predebon: 'We do it for them'
For the Roosters, Isabelle Kelly has moved to fullback with Jasmine Strange lining up in the centres.
Their squad features a host of International and Origin representatives, including Tarryn Aiken, Millie Boyle, Mya Hill-Moana and Captain Kelly.
KEY MATCH-UP
Tamika Upton v Isabelle Kelly: An exciting match-up at fullback with our very own Tamika Upton lining up against Origin representative Isabelle Kelly.
The reigning NRLW Dally M Medallist had a season to remember in 2023 with seven tries and 10 try-assists plus the winning four-pointer in the Grand Final.
Our No.1 will come up against the dangerous Kelly who averaged 165 run metres in the recent Women's State of Origin series along with 10 tackle breaks.
Predebon: 'We do it for them'
STAT ATTACK
Tamika Upton is currently undefeated at McDonald Jones Stadium throughout her NRLW career.
Both teams finished 1 and 2 in the NRLW competition last season.
The Knights are two from three from their Round 1 clashes since joining the league in 2021.