Matchday Details
Sunday 17 May – 2:00 PM (AEST) – Suncorp Stadium
📺 Broadcast: Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Wyatt Raymond | Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Gold Coast Titans: 1. Keano Kini 2. Jensen Taumoepeau 3. Jojo Fifita 4. AJ Brimson 5. Phillip Sami 6. Jayden Campbell 7. Zane Harrison 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Oliver Pascoe 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor 13. Cooper Bai 14. Kurtis Morrin 15. Klese Haas 16. Josh Patston 17. Arama Hau 18. Jaylan De Groot 19. Luke Sommerton 20. Lachlan Ilias 21. Adam Christensen 22. Bodhi Sharpley
Newcastle Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Dylan Brown 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Trey Mooney 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Jermaine McEwen 13. Mathew Croker 14. Sandon Smith 15. Tyson Frizell 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Cody Hopwood 18. Harrison Graham 19. Fletcher Hunt 20. Francis Manuleleua 21. Kyle McCarthy 22. James Schiller
Match Preview
Day three of Brisbane’s rugby league extravaganza, Magic Round, kicks off with the Gold Coast Titans “at home” to the Newcastle Knights.
The Titans come into this clash sitting 16th on the ladder, off the back of three straight losses, and will be hoping to turn their fortunes around against the high-flying Knights. On the other side of the park, the Knights have won their previous two on the bounce and will be looking to make it a third, having comfortably dispatched the Dragons in their last start.
Titans coach Josh Hannay has named the same 17 that fell to the Roosters last week, with front-rowers Moeaki Fotuaika and Klese Haas switching positions between the starting side and the bench, with former Panthers rake Luke Sommerton joining the pine in place of Sam Verrills.
The Knights have named largely the same 21 that defeated the Dragons, with some minor shuffling of the bench positions, with in-form hooker Harrison Graham earning a recall after strong performances in reserve grade.
All eyes will be on the battle of the two dynamite sixes when Jayden Campbell lines up against Fletcher Sharpe. The two fullbacks-turned-five-eighths possess a combination of speed, agility, and craftiness with the ball in hand that is sure to leave the opposition edge defences in tatters if given half a chance. Both players are capable of turning the game around on a dime, and fans will be treated to a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it show of offensive skill.
Kalyn Ponga will be looking for one last chance to push his case for Origin selection as he goes head-to-head with dynamo Keano Kini. The two fullbacks will play a major role in their side’s attack on game day, as Ponga’s ball-playing and explosive step come up against Kini’s pinball, high-volume running game. Whichever fullback can make the most of their opportunities with the ball will go a long way toward ensuring their team’s victory.
The Titans and Knights are a dead heat in recent match-ups, having split the difference 5-5 in their last 10 clashes, while historically the Knights hold a slight edge, winning 17 of the 32 battles between the sides.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Knights by 16
Bold call: Ponga to really push his case for Origin selection with a MOTM performance.
Related
- NRL Round 10 Review
- NRL Round 11 Predictions
- NRL Round 11 Team Lists
- NRL Round 11 Hub
- NRL Injury List
- NRL Match Review Tracker
- Magic Round Historical Stats
