Match Preview

Author: Sydney Roosters
Timestamp: Thu 10 Sep 2020, 10:30 AM

The Sydney Roosters will face the Newcastle Knights on Saturday night for the first time since July 2019 in what's set to be an engaging top eight clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

While the Roosters are riding high on the back of a strong victory over the Canberra Raiders on enemy ground, the Knights are full of confidence after a blowout win over the Cronulla Sharks.

What both of these sides have in common is that they've both won four of their last five matches and are preparing themselves for a finals run in October.

There's a lot to like about this match-up as the fourth placed Roosters go toe-to-toe with the sixth placed Newcastle Knights for the first time this season.

Luke Keary is set to line-up for his 150th NRL match when he takes to the field on Saturday night.

Let's take a look at some of the numbers and key info heading into Round 18.

It's Been Special | Luke Keary

Round 18 - Round 18 - Saturday 12 Sep

Full Time

Roosters

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tex Hoy
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou

Winger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Josh Morris

Centre for Knights is number 3 Enari Tuala
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu

Centre for Knights is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Brett Morris

Winger for Knights is number 5 Starford To'a
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Mason Lino
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Kyle Flanagan

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Mitchell Pearce

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho

Prop for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake Friend

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Kurt Mann
Prop for Roosters is number 13 Isaac Liu

Prop for Knights is number 15 Daniel Saifiti
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Boyd Cordner

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Aidan Guerra
Lock for Roosters is number 16 Angus Crichton

Lock for Knights is number 10 Jacob Saifiti

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Nat Butcher

Interchange for Knights is number 13 Herman Ese'ese
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Lindsay Collins

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Josh King
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Sonny Bill Williams

Interchange for Knights is number 18 Sione Mata'utia
Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Mitchell Aubusson

Interchange for Knights is number 21 Chris Randall

Match Officials

Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judge: Chris Butler
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell

Last updated: 5/29/2023 4:41:17 AM

TEAM NEWS

Roosters: Captain Jake Friend will return at hooker in place of Freddy Lussick in the only change from last week's win over Canberra. Mitchell Aubusson has again been included on the reserves.

Knights: Kalyn Ponga, Mitch Barnett and Hymel Hunt have been rested with Tex Hoy at fullback, Edrick Lee back from injury on the wing and Herman Ese'ese starting at lock. Daniel Saifiti will return on the bench while Sione Mata'utia (ankle) is also a good chance after being listed in the reserves.