The Sydney Roosters are proud to announce the line-up for Saturday afternoon’s Round 16 match against the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The Tricolours will return to the Hunter region to face the Knights for the only time this season in a double-header, with the NSW Cup teams going head-to-head before the NRL fixture kicks off at 3:00pm.
Trent Robinson has named a new-look side to take on the Knights, which will be captained by Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves in the absence of James Tedesco, who is unavailable for team selection after being recalled for Origin II.
New Zealand International Joseph Manu will take the reins at fullback this week, with veteran winger Daniel Tupou, Junior Pauga, Corey Allan and Billy Smith joining the 2022 Golden Boot winner in the back line.
Keary will unite with Sandon Smith in the halves this week, with the 20-year-old named to start on-field in his third NRL match.
Nat Butcher joins Waerea-Hargreaves and Jake Turpin in the front row, replacing Lindsay Collins who is also on Origin duties.
Egan Butcher and Sitili Tupouniua make up the second row, while Naufahu Whyte will complete the starting side at lock after recording over 230 run metres in each of his last five NSW Cup matches.
Angus Crichton will feature in his 149th NRL match off the interchange bench, joining Drew Hutchison, Nathan Brown and Terrell May, who has also been recalled for Round 16.
The extended bench includes Siua Wong, Zach Dockar-Clay, Jaxson Paulo, Tuipulotu Katoa and Elie El-Zakhem.
Grab your tickets here and cheer on the Roosters!
The final line-ups are as follows:
Match: Knights v Roosters
Round 16 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Roosters is number 1 Joseph Manu
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Roosters is number 3 Corey Allan
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Roosters is number 4 Billy Smith
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Enari TualaWinger for Roosters is number 5 Fetalaiga Pauga
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson GambleFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson HastingsHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Sandon Smith
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Roosters is number 8 Jared Waerea-Hargreaves
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake Turpin
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Prop for Knights is number 15 Jacob SaifitiProp for Roosters is number 10 Nat Butcher
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam ElliottLock for Roosters is number 13 Naufahu Whyte
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt MannInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Drew Hutchison
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Nathan Brown
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat CrokerInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Terrell May
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Interchange for Knights is number 20 Brodie JonesInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Angus Crichton
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 19 Simi SasagiReplacement for Roosters is number 19 Zach Dockar-Clay
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Todd Smith
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
