Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League Round 14 clash between the Newcastle Knights and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Newcastle Knights Vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Date: Thursday 5 June, 7:50pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Kyle McCarthy 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Brodie Jones 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Thomas Cant 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Elijah Leaumoana 18. Jackson Hastings 19. Tyrone Thompson 20. Matthew Arthur 21. Wil Sullivan 22. Greg Marzhew
Sea Eagles: 1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Clayton Faulalo 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Tommy Talau 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Toafofoa Sipley 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Corey Waddell 17. Nathan Brown 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Jakob Arthur 20. Navren Willett 21. Chris Patolo 22. Matthew Lodge
Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Bunker: Ashley Klein
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
Round 14 of the season kicks off on Thursday night in Newcastle, where the Knights host the Sea Eagles. The Knights return home after a tough 20-6 loss to the Dragons last week, while the Sea Eagles renewed their confidence with a dominant 34-6 win over the Broncos at 4 Pines Park.
For the Knights, Kalyn Ponga returns at fullback after being rested last week. Fletcher Sharpe moves back to the halves to partner Jack Cogger, with Tyson Gamble dropping out due to a finger injury. Leo Thompson is out after being suspended for four games, with Brodie Jones replacing him in the front row. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana is named to make his NRL debut off the bench in jersey 17. Greg Marzhew is named in the reserves as he looks to return from a knee injury.
It was another lackluster attacking showing from the Knights last week, in which they only registered one try. The pressure is well and truly on Adam O’Brien to get this Knights side turned around. The return of Ponga will help, but with more players missing through injury and suspension, the depth of the Knights’ squad is being thoroughly tested. Their attacking woes have stemmed from inside Ponga, with the depleted forward pack struggling to lay an adequate platform for the playmakers to find any meaningful impact. It doesn’t get any easier at home for the Knights this week – they’re currently riding a four-game home losing streak.
For the Sea Eagles, Jake Trbojevic returns at lock after missing the past two games with concussion. Jazz Tevaga reverts to the bench, with Matt Lodge dropping out. Josh Aloiai is out with a shoulder injury, with Toafofoa Sipley replacing him in the front row. Tom Trbojevic remains out as he continues to manage a thigh cork.
Coming off a confidence-boosting win last week, the Sea Eagles will feel they can travel to Newcastle and get a win on the road to keep their momentum rolling. The return of Jake Trbojevic can’t be understated – he’s the glue that holds their middle together, and he’s responsible for much of their clean-up work defensively, which often goes unnoticed. Daly Cherry-Evans played one of his better games of the year last week, following a poor showing in the Origin arena. Expect another strong performance from Cherry-Evans this week as he looks to cement his place in the Queensland side. The Sea Eagles have won four of their past five games against the Knights.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Sea Eagles by 20 points.
Check out our round 14 predictions here.
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