Fresh off a last-gasp come-from-behind win, the Knights will be hoping to keep that momentum going when they host the in-form Roosters.
The Knights were trailing 16-0 at half-time against the Sea Eagles last week, before fighting back in the second half to push the game into golden point, where skipper Kalyn Ponga scored to steal the win.
The Roosters come into the match off a bye and have won three of their past five matches, with their two most recent losses being by a margin of four points or less.
While both sides will have key players out on Origin duty, including Ponga for the Knights, the Roosters will have five players out representing both states. However, the club have unearthed some new faces this year and there is still enough talent on show to provide an intriguing contest.
Match: Knights v Roosters
Round 15 -
home Team
Knights
15th Position
away Team
Roosters
8th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team News
Knights: No further changes on game day after Fletcher Sharpe pulled out on Friday due to a calf injury he suffered in the closing moments of golden point against Manly. Fletcher Hunt moves to fullback and Kyle McCarthy comes into the centres as a result. Brock Greacen is set to make his NRL debut after coming on to the bench in Friday's team update, with Matt Arthur dropping out of the squad. Jackson Hastings is preparing for his first NRL match of the year alongside Jack Cogger in the halves.
Roosters: Sam Walker's long-awaited return from a torn ACL has been put on hold after he suffered a thumb injury at training on Thursday. Sandon Smith moves from the interchange to five-eighth, with Hugo Savala shifting to halfback. Naufahu Whyte will make his return from a knee injury but Nat Butcher's comeback remains at least a week away after he dropped out of the side in Friday's 24-hour update. Makahesi Makatoa and Taylor Losalu are the new faces on the bench as a result. Englishman Dom Young comes in on the wing and Mark Nawaqanitawase moves to centre to cover for Maroons rep Robert Toia.
Match: Knights v Roosters
Round 15 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 4 Fletcher HuntFullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 James SchillerWinger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
-
Centre for Knights is number 18 Kyle McCarthyCentre for Roosters is number 4 Mark Nawaqanitawase
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Roosters is number 5 Dominic Young
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jackson HastingsFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 14 Sandon Smith
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jack CoggerHalfback for Roosters is number 6 Hugo Savala
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Mat CrokerProp for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden BraileyHooker for Roosters is number 9 Benaiah Ioelu
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Brodie JonesProp for Roosters is number 10 Salesi Foketi
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Egan Butcher
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Phoenix CrosslandLock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Thomas CantInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Zach Dockar-Clay
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jermaine McEwenInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Blake Steep
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Elijah Salesa-LeaumoanaInterchange for Roosters is number 19 Makahesi Makatoa
-
Interchange for Knights is number 21 Brock GreacenInterchange for Roosters is number 20 Taylor Losalu
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 20 Mason TeagueReplacement for Roosters is number 18 Ethan King
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have not beaten the Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium since 2019.
- The Roosters have won 17 of their last 20 games against the Knights.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored 13 tries in his last 14 games against the Knights.
- Knights winger James Schiller has scored five tries in his last six games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
