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Match Preview

Knights v Titans: Guerra to start; Boyd onto bench

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pan66.com
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Newcastle's season is alive - just - and they must do away with the cellar-dwelling Titans to keep it like that.

With for and against on their side, the Knights simply need to beat Gold Coast at McDonald Jones Stadium to set up a round 25 date with Penrith to determine their fate.

The club has experienced further upheaval during the week with coach Nathan Brown stepping down, effective immediately, with Kristian Woolf taking over in an interim capacity for the rest of the season.

Resigned to the wooden spoon, there's nothing at stake for the Titans except pride but they would no doubt take pleasure in spoiling another team's finals hopes. On the plus side they have won five from their past seven against Newcastle.

A 24-8 defeat to Melbourne last week piled more pain on the embattled club, so a victory would give Gold Coast's suffering fans a glimmer of hope for the future.

The Rundown

Team news

Knights: Aidan Guerra will start the match for the Knights, with Lachlan Fitzgibbon to come off the interchange bench. Kurt Mann and Chris Randall were the two players omitted an hour before kick-off. Connor Watson returns to the side at hooker after a minor MCL injury in a straight swap with Danny Levi (rib injury). The Knights have lost seven of their past eight games. James Gavet and Tautau Moga were the two players left out 24 hours before kick-off.

Titans: In a change made an hour before kick-off, Tanah Boyd moves from the reserves list to the interchange bench with Will Matthews and Jack Stockwell the two players to drop out. Nathan Peats slips back to hooker with Mitch Rein suspended and will play his 150th NRL game. The Titans have won five of their past seven games against the Knights. Anthony Don and Ash Taylor were the two players omitted on the eve of the match.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
    Fullback for Titans is number 1 Michael Gordon
  • Winger for Knights is number 2 Bradman Best
    Winger for Titans is number 2 Jesse Arthars
  • Centre for Knights is number 3 Sione Mata'utia
    Centre for Titans is number 3 Kallum Watkins
  • Centre for Knights is number 4 Hymel Hunt
    Centre for Titans is number 4 Brian Kelly
  • Winger for Knights is number 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall
    Winger for Titans is number 5 Phillip Sami
  • Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Mason Lino
    Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Tyrone Peachey
  • Halfback for Knights is number 7 Mitchell Pearce
    Halfback for Titans is number 7 Ryley Jacks

Forwards

  • Prop for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
    Prop for Titans is number 8 Jarrod Wallace
  • Hooker for Knights is number 9 Connor Watson
    Hooker for Titans is number 9 Nathan Peats
  • Prop for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
    Prop for Titans is number 10 Moeaki Fotuaika
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
    2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Kevin Proctor
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 17 Aidan Guerra
    2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Sam Stone
  • Lock for Knights is number 13 Tim Glasby
    Lock for Titans is number 13 Jai Arrow

Interchange

  • Interchange for Knights is number 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
    Interchange for Titans is number 14 Alexander Brimson
  • Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jacob Saifiti
    Interchange for Titans is number 15 Jai Whitbread
  • Interchange for Knights is number 15 Herman Ese'ese
    Interchange for Titans is number 16 Bryce   Cartwright
  • Interchange for Knights is number 16 Josh King
    Interchange for Titans is number 21 Tanah Boyd

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Butler
  • Referee: Gavin Badger

Last updated:

Key match-up

Origin opponents David Klemmer and Jai Arrow lock horns up front in an intriguing battle. Both men are the leaders of their team's packs and will have a big influence in setting the tone for the match.

For the Knights to win

Completing well in the early exchanges and building pressure is the goal. The Knights have ample strike-power but they can't fall into the trap of trying to be too fancy too soon. The Titans will eventually crack if they're put under the pump.

For the Titans to win

Gold Coast should take a leaf from Canterbury-Bankstown's book and mimic their gritty defence. If the Titans can frustrate the Knights and force some errors, the door will creak open.

Brett Kimmorley says

The Knights’ players were extremely poor last week. If they have any pride in their performances they will play out of their skin this week. The Titans were better last week. I don’t know who is going to win but I think Newcastle – who were sitting in fourth eight weeks ago – have a better roster and should be able to win the game. Knights by 6

Stat Attack

Phillip Sami hit 35.9 km/h chasing down Josh Addo Carr on Sunday. It’s his fastest effort of the year and was among the top 10 fastest speeds we’ve seen all year in the NRL. Addo-Carr clocked 33.9 km/h in the run.

And another thing ...

Both teams will have new coaches next year - Justin Holbrook will take over from caretaker coach Craig Hodges at the Titans while a replacement is yet to be announced for outgoing Knights mentor Nathan Brown.

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.