23 C
Canberra
Tuesday, November 5, 2024

NRL round 20: Raiders vs Knights match day guide and preview

Match day guide and preview for the Canberra Raiders NRL round 20 game against the Newcastle Knights.

Who, when and where?

Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders

Saturday 31 July, 5.30pm

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane QLD

Click here to buy tickets.

Head-to-head record: Played 53. Raiders 28 wins. Knights 22 wins. 3 draws.

Ladder position and recent form

Canberra Raiders 9th | 359 points for | 431 points against | 8 wins & 10 losses | WWWLL

The Raiders are in season best form having won three straight games, including a gutsy 12-10 win over the Eels last week.

Their goal line defence has been poor so far this season, but Canberra showed plenty of determination to defend their line last week.

The Raiders have shown some good signs during their win streak, but they need to keep improving to book a finals spot

Newcastle Knights 11th | 291 points for | 448 points against | 7 wins & 11 losses | LLWWL

After a couple of good wins, the Knights have been brought back to earth with two heavy defeats.

They lost 48-4 to the Storm before a second half capitulation last week against the Roosters handed them a 28-8 loss.

The difference between their best and worst is far too big at the moment but this is certainly a winnable game against another inconsistent side.

Raiders and Knights team lists

Raiders Knights
Jordan Rapana1Kalyn Ponga
Harley Smith-Shields2Enari Tuala
Jarrod Croker3Kurt Mann
Seb Kris4Bradman Best
Semi Valemei5Hymel Hunt
Matt Frawley6Phoenix Crossland
Sam Williams7Jake Clifford
Josh Papalii8Jacob Saifiti
Josh Hodgson9Jayden Brailey
Emre Guler10Daniel Saifiti
Corey Harawira-Naera11Tyson Frizell 
Eliott Whitehead12Mitchell Barnett
Hudson Young13Connor Watson
Bench Bench
Tom Starling14Sauaso Sue
Matt Timoko15David Klemmer
Sia Soliola16Josh King
Joe Tapine17Brodie Jones
Reserves Reserves
Matt Frawley18Jirah Momoisea
Ryan James19Simi Sasagi 
Bailey Simonsson20Tex Hoy
Dunamis Lui21Mitchell Pearce

Canberra Raiders

The Raiders have two key inclusions with Wighton and Whitehead returning from injury.

Frawley drops to the extended bench for Wighton while Young shifts to lock in place of the injured Ryan Sutton and Whitehead slots into the second row.

Papalii has been named to start in the front row despite failing an HIA last week while Simonsson and Lui are on the extended bench as they return from injury.

Newcastle Knights

Bradman Best and David Klemmer return for the Knights while Mitchell Pearce was named on the extended bench but has been ruled out.

Kalyn Ponga has been battling a sternum injury but has been named at fullback and looks set to play.

Last 5 meetings

The Knights have won the last two matches against Canberra, including a come-from-behind victory earlier this year in Wagga Wagga.

After trailing 16-0 at half-time, Ponga led Newcastle back to a win over a disappointing Raiders outfit.

The players to watch

Raiders – Jordan Rapana

Rapana has been one of the Raiders most consistent players this season, but he had his best game last week when asked to pay fullback.

He finished the match with 261 run metres along with 15 tackle breaks, a try and a try saving hit in the dying seconds.

At 31-years-old, Rapana continues to play at a high level and will again be extremely important to the Raiders chances once again.

WAGGA WAGGA, AUSTRALIA - MAY 08: Jordan Rapana of the Raiders kicks the ball during the round nine NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the Newcastle Knights at , on May 08, 2021, in Wagga Wagga, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
The battle of the fullbacks on Saturday evening promises to be highly entertaining. Getty

Knights – Kalyn Ponga

Ponga is having a strange season with some brilliant performances mixed in with injuries and some underwhelming efforts.

He was exceptional in his comeback game against the Cowboys but last week against the Roosters he looked sore all game and had no impact at all.

He was instrumental in their win over Canberra earlier in the season and will need to bring that type of dominant performance if the Knights are to record a much-needed win.

Pre match predictions

Return of the Jack: Wighton to score a try and record a try assist on his return.

I’m lovin’ it: Raiders to seek vengeance for the round nine McDonalds Park boilover by containing Kalyn Ponga to zero tries and assists. – Denholm Samaras

Other match details

The match will be broadcast live on Channel Nine and Fox League channel 502 at 7.30pm. It is also available to stream on Kayo.

You can listen to the match on Raiders on Mix – Mix106.3 FMRadio 2CC â€“ 1206 AM and ABC Grandstand â€“ 666 ABC AM.

Gates open 4.30pm

The Raiders v Knights match is the first of an NRL double header at Suncorp Stadium with the Storm v Panthers blockbuster to follow at 7.35pm.

Click here for more match day information.

Get all the latest Canberra news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.

More Stories

 
 

 

Latest

canberra daily

SUBSCRIBE TO THE CANBERRA DAILY NEWSLETTER

Join our mailing lists to receieve the latest news straight into your inbox.

You have Successfully Subscribed!