Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 6 clash between the Newcastle Knights and the Wests Tigers.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Newcastle Knights Vs Wests Tigers
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Date: Sunday, April 13, 4:05 pm (ADST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Kyle McCarthy 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Phoenix Crossland 8. Brodie Jones 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Thomas Cant 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Matthew Arthur 15. Tyrone Thompson 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Mathew Croker 18. Paul Bryan 19. Jackson Hastings 20. Riley Jones 21. Francis Manuleleua
Tigers: 1. Jahream Bula 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Tony Sukkar 19. Heath Mason 20. Luke Laulilii 21. Brent Naden 22. Kit Laulilii
Referee: Gerard Sutton
Bunker: Grant Atkins
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
The Knights faced an undefeated Bulldogs team last weekend. Unfortunately, they were unable to give them their first loss. The first half was a war of attrition as both teams showed up in defence. The Bulldogs went into half-time up by two points thanks to a Stephen Crichton penalty goal. The game’s first try wouldn’t be scored until the 42nd minute after Josh Curran scored off a Toby Sexton kick. While the floodgates didn’t exactly open up, the Knights were tired from the defending they had to do. Tries to Jack Todd and Kurt Mann sealed the Bulldogs’ fifth win.
The Knights did not get through the Bulldogs game unscathed. Jack Cogger injured his finger and will be replaced by Pheonix Crossland. Jayden Brailey moves to hooker. James Schiller is out due to a concussion; Kyle McCarthy replaces him on the wing. Adam Elliot (calf), Jacob Saifiti (calf), and Jack Hetherington (shoulder) are all missing in the forward pack — Brodie Jones slots into the front row. The good news is Kai Pierce-Paul returns from suspension. Tyronne Thompson and Matthew Arthur will make their debuts from the bench.
The Tigers put up an admirable fight against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, especially since they were missing their chief playmaker, Jarome Luai. Despite conceding the first try, the Tigers would hit the lead with three tries of their own. This is where their inexperience would come through as Broncos halves Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt kicked into gear. Reynolds kicked a two-point field goal before half-time. He would later score a solo try to put the Broncos further ahead. Hunt’s kicking game was second to none as he set up tries and put the Broncos in good field position. The Tigers tried gallantly to come back but could not catch the Broncos.
Unlike the Knights, the Tigers are welcoming back several players. Luai returns from suspension at halfback. Jeral Skelton returns to the wing after a hamstring injury; Luke Laulilii moves to the reserves. Samuela Fainu is also back from a leg injury. Jack Bird moves to the bench. Tony Sukkar is the 18th Man. The only player missing through injury is Latu Fainu.
A key match-up in this game is between the fullbacks Kalyn Ponga and Jahream Bula. Ponga must be at his best in Cogger’s absence to get his side over the line. Bradman Best and Dane Gagai must also step up to help their fullback. Bula has been playing good football and is becoming an integral part of the Tigers’ spine; with more game time with Lachlan Galvin and Luai, who knows where the Tigers could end up.
The Tigers are showing significant signs of improvement this season. Even last week without Luai, Galvin showed how good he can be. This weekend will present a nice test for the Tigers’ forwards if they can overcome a Knights pack that has been weakened by injury.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Knights by 2 points.
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
Follow Us on Facebook
