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Ultimate Guide: NRLW Semi-Final preview

The nib Newcastle Knights NRLW side are one game away from defending their title after qualifying for the 2024 Finals series.

The squad finished the season with a 6-3 record and 12 points to sit in third on the ladder.

They will take on the Sydney Roosters who finished in second position with the winner of Sunday's match to advance to the Grand Final.

SYDNEY ROOSTERS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

Date: Sunday 29 September

Kick-off: 4:15pm

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Watch: Nine, Nine Now, Fox League & Kayo Sports

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HEAD-TO-HEAD

Since: 2021

Played: 4

Roosters: 2

Knights: 2

TEAMS

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Samantha Bremner
    Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika Upton
  • Winger for Roosters is number 2 Jayme Fressard
    Winger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan Gallagher
  • Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jasmin Strange
    Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice Parker
  • Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle Kelly
    Centre for Knights is number 4 Abigail Roache
  • Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mia Wood
    Winger for Knights is number 5 Tenika Willison
  • Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Brydie Parker
    Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia Roche
  • Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Jocelyn Kelleher
    Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse Southwell

Forwards

  • Prop for Roosters is number 8 Millie Elliott
    Prop for Knights is number 8 Rima Butler
  • Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Keeley Davis
    Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
  • Prop for Roosters is number 10 Otesa Pule
    Prop for Knights is number 10 Simone Karpani
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Amber Hall
    2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Laishon Albert-Jones
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick
    2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale
  • Lock for Roosters is number 13 Tiana Davison
    Lock for Knights is number 13 Hannah Southwell

Interchange

  • Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Tavarna Papalii
    Interchange for Knights is number 14 Nita Maynard
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Pani Hopoate
    Interchange for Knights is number 15 Kayla Romaniuk
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Samantha Economos
    Interchange for Knights is number 16 Tayla Predebon
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Taina Naividi
    Interchange for Knights is number 17 Viena Tinao

Reserves

  • Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Mya Hill-Moana
    Replacement for Knights is number 18 Evie Jones
  • Reserve for Roosters is number 19 Jessica Sergis
    Reserve for Knights is number 19 Evah McEwen
  • Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Tarryn Aiken
    Reserve for Knights is number 20 Lilly-Ann White
  • Reserve for Roosters is number 21 Kayla Jackson
    Reserve for Knights is number 21 Jules Kirkpatrick
  • Reserve for Roosters is number 22 Shannon Rose
    Reserve for Knights is number 22 Jacinta Carter

Roosters Ins

  • Jessica Sergis
  • Kayla Jackson
  • Shannon Rose
  • Tarryn Aiken

Knights Ins

  • Jacinta Carter
  • Jules Kirkpatrick
  • Nita Maynard
  • Rima Butler

Roosters Outs

Knights Ins

Match Officials

  • Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
  • Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated:

TEAM NEWS

In team news, Nita Maynard and Rima Butler have been named to make their returns from injury.

For the Roosters, a change to the bench with Samantha Economos named on the interchange, moving Mya Hill-Moana to 18th player duties.

There are no other changes to the side that beat the Eels, with skipper Isabelle Kelly also named in the centres despite an injury scare last week.

Tarryn Aiken and Jess Sergis loom in the extended reserves.

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FORM GUIDE

Both teams come into the Semi-Final in strong form having finished in second and third respectively.

Newcastle charge into the finals off the back of two straight wins and having scored a combined 84 points across the two games.

Meanwhile, the Roosters have won their past four games including a 32-18 win over the Parramatta Eels last start.

The two sides met earlier in the season with the Knights taking the two points in a hard-fought 12-10 victory.

KEY MATCH-UP

Yasmin Clydsdale v Olivia Kernick: Two State of Origin back-rowers will go head-to-head on Sunday.

Yasmin has been at her consistent best in 2024 with an average of 164 run metres per game and 15 offloads.

The second-row forward has scored three tries in the last two games while ran for 233 metres against the Cowboys last game.

On other side, Kernick has scored in her last three games and has provided five line-break assists in 2024.

STAT ATTACK

The Roosters have won five from six at Allianz Stadium.

The Knights have won their last two games against the Roosters.

Roosters second-rower Amber Hall has scored five tries in her past six games.

Knights fullback Tamika Upton has scored six tries in four finals appearances.