The nib Newcastle Knights NRLW side will look to return to winning ways when they travel down the M1 to take on the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks this Sunday.
The reigning premiers were defeated by the St George Illawarra Dragons last start, handing the side their first loss of the season.
They come up against the early ladder leaders in the Sharks who have won their opening three games.
CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Date: Sunday 18 August
Kick-off: 1:45pm
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Sydney
The match will be shown live on Nine, Nine Now, Fox League and Kayo Sports.
Butler on bouncing back and review of Dragons game
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 2023
Played: 1
Knights: 1
Sharks: 0
TEAMS
Match: Sharks v Knights
Round 4 -
home Team
Sharks
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Cassie StaplesFullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika Upton
-
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Nakia Davis-WelshWinger for Knights is number 2 Tenika Willison
-
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana PenitaniCentre for Knights is number 3 Shanice Parker
-
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Annessa BiddleCentre for Knights is number 4 Abigail Roache
-
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Georgia RavicsWinger for Knights is number 5 Lilly-Ann White
-
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 21 Emma TonegatoFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia Roche
-
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Tayla PrestonHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse Southwell
Forwards
-
Prop for Sharks is number 8 Ellie JohnstonProp for Knights is number 10 Kayla Romaniuk
-
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy DoddHooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
-
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Holli WheelerProp for Knights is number 16 Rima Butler
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Talei Holmes2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Laishon Albert-Jones
-
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Vanessa Foliaki2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale
-
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Brooke AndersonLock for Knights is number 13 Hannah Southwell
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Sharni SmaleInterchange for Knights is number 8 Tayla Predebon
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Chloe SaundersInterchange for Knights is number 14 Nita Maynard
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Manilita TakapautoloInterchange for Knights is number 15 Simone Karpani
-
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Tegan DymockInterchange for Knights is number 17 Grace Kukutai
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sharks is number 19 Leki LeiluaReplacement for Knights is number 18 Jacinta Carter
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
In a couple of changes to the team, new recruit Tenika Willison will make her NRLW debut on the wing.
Having just arrived from Olympics duties with the New Zealand Rugby 7's side, Willison is set to become Knight #55.
Furthermore, Simone Karpani is set to make her return to the side from the interchange bench with Jacinta Carter moving back to the extended bench.
Kayla Romaniuk comes into the front-row for the injured Caitlan Johnston-Green (knee).
Willison on journey to NRLW and transitioning into the team
For the Sharks, they have named rugby sevens player Sharni Smale (née Williams) to make her NRLW debut.
Smale recently played for Australia at the Paris Olympics before announcing her retirement from the format. The Sharks have this week also named Vanessa Foliaki to start in the second row in place of Rhiannon Byers who suffered a head knock against Canberra.
Emma Tonegato, who has been sidelined by a calf issue, is once again named in the extended squad.
FORM GUIDE
The Knights have started the season with a 2-1 record after going down 18-10 to the Dragons at home last round.
After the opening three rounds, the side sits in fourth spot.
Meanwhile, the Sharks took the two points against the Canberra Raiders last start with a 24-12 victory.
KEY MATCH-UP
Abigail Roache v Tiana Pentani: Two of the games quickest and agile centres will do battle on Sunday.
Roache has averaged 80 run metres per game to start the season while produced two offloads in the recent match against the Dragons.
On the other side, Pentani produced eight tackle breaks against the Raiders last start and ran for over 200 run metres.
STAT ATTACK
Knights fullback Tamika Upton has scored seven tries in her past seven games.
The Knights have not been defeated in back-to-back games since 2022.
The Sharks have won three from five at PointsBet Stadium.
