The Tigers got their 2020 campaign off on the right foot with a 24-14 road win over the Dragons, while the Knights opened their season with a 20-0 home victory over the Warriors.
Both teams would love to start the year 2-0, especially with the uncertainty surrounding the season beyond round two due to the coronavirus.
The Tigers always look forward to home games at Leichhardt Oval, but it will be a surreal atmosphere on Sunday without a single fan in the stands.
Match: Wests Tigers v Knights
Round 2 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
9th Position
away Team
Knights
2nd Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Tigers: Paul Momirovski is out, with Michael Chee-Kam joining the bench. Matt Eisenhuth also dropped off the reserves list 24 hours before kick-off. Tough break for Luke Brooks, who is out for 3-4 weeks with a calf injury he suffered at training on Saturday. Moses Mbye (knee) is likely to return in round three against the Bulldogs. Oliver Clark and Tommy Talau were omitted an hour before kick-off.
Knights: Not surprisingly, Adam O'Brien has gone with the same 17-man side that beat the Warriors. Mason Lino and Sione Mata'utia were trimmed from the extended bench on Saturday. Tautau Moga played in Canterbury Cup last week after overcoming a hamstring issue. Pasami Saulo and Starford Toa were dropped from the final squad cull on Sunday.
Match: Wests Tigers v Knights
Round 2 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Corey ThompsonFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David NofoalumaWinger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Joseph LeiluaCentre for Knights is number 3 Enari Tuala
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Adam DoueihiCentre for Knights is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Robert JenningsWinger for Knights is number 5 Hymel Hunt
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Benji MarshallFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kurt Mann
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Josh ReynoldsHalfback for Knights is number 7 Mitchell Pearce
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Josh AloiaiProp for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Billy WaltersHooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Alex TwalProp for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Elijah TaylorLock for Knights is number 13 Herman Ese'ese
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Thomas MikaeleInterchange for Knights is number 14 Connor Watson
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Zane MusgroveInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Chris LawrenceInterchange for Knights is number 16 Tim Glasby
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Michael Chee KamInterchange for Knights is number 17 Aidan Guerra
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Referee: Gavin Badger
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
Key match-up
Benji Marshall and Mitchell Pearce have squared off more times than they can remember and their clash on Sunday will have a significant impact on the final score. Marshall was at his scheming best last week against the Dragons, while Pearce showed his strong leadership qualities in the drubbing of the Warriors.
Where it'll be won and lost
No doubt Marshall and Pearce will have a big say on the outcome, but Kalyn Ponga holds all the cards. If Ponga is at his electric best the Knights should prevail. If the Tigers keep him quiet and minimise Pearce's influence their chances of winning are excellent.
Brett Kimmorley says
Both sides played really well and defended strongly in round one. It's going to be a good game, a nice, grinding style of football. Benji Marshall is on absolute fire, he's good to watch. I thought the defensive attitude Newcastle showed in Adam O'Brien's first game was very impressive with Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga calling the shots in attack. If anything, I think the Knights may offer a bit more with the ball. Knights by 4.
Stat Attack
The Knights completed a respectable 80% in last week's slippery conditions against the Warriors, but coach Adam O'Brien will want to see his team's 34 missed tackles cut in half against the Tigers. Kalyn Ponga ran for a team-high 235m from 24 runs in the 20-0 round one victory.
And another thing…
Benji Marshall tormented the Dragons in last week's 24-14 victory at a wet and windy Wollongong. He wouldn't have been happy with his seven missed tackles, but Marshall scored a try and kicked three goals to go with two try assists and a line break. Not bad for a 35-year-old.
