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Wests Tigers v Knights: Pole set to start; Best back on deck

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Fresh off their morale-boosting upset win over Brisbane, Wests Tigers will look to make it back-to-back wins for just the second time this season as they welcome the Knights to Campbelltown.

Brett Kimmorley's side moved off the bottom of the Telstra Premiership ladder with a much-needed win over the Broncos and now find themselves just two points behind the Novocastrians as they enter the final weeks of the regular season.

Having battled injury and inconsistency all season, the Knights come into Round 21 on the end of a four-game losing streak and searching for answers with the worst attack and defensive record through the first 20 weeks of the season.

Adam O'Brien's side will take some confidence from the 26-4 victory they scored over Wests Tigers earlier in the season, but much has changed for both teams since they squared off in Round 2 with several new faces in the respective sides. 

Sportsbet Betting preview: Wests Tigers v Knights

The Rundown

Team news

Wests Tigers: There are no late changes for the home side. Youngster Fonua Pole gets his second crack in the starting side as the replacement for Jackson Hastings (ankle). At 26, Wests Magpies NSW Cup captain Tom Freebairn will make his NRL debut off the bench. 

Knights: There are no further late changes. Utility Kurt Mann was listed among the reserves on Tuesday but dropped out on Saturday as he continues to recover from a quad injury. Prop David Klemmer was overlooked for disciplinary reasons, replaced by Jacob Saifiti in the starting side. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine Laurie
    Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tex Hoy
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Brent Naden
    Winger for Knights is number 2 Enari Tuala
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Starford To'a
    Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
  • Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Asu Kepaoa
    Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
  • Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken Maumalo
    Winger for Knights is number 5 Dominic Young
  • Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Adam Doueihi
    Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Anthony Milford
  • Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jock Madden
    Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jake Clifford

Forwards

  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 James Tamou
    Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
  • Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Fa'amanu Brown
    Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
  • Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Joe Ofahengaue
    Prop for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Alex Seyfarth
    2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
  • 2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Kelma Tuilagi
    2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Brodie Jones
  • Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Fonua Pole
    Lock for Knights is number 13 Mitchell Barnett

Interchange

  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Zane Musgrove
    Interchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Austin Dias
    Interchange for Knights is number 15 Simi Sasagi
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Tom Freebairn
    Interchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo
  • Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Tyrone Peachey
    Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker

Reserves

  • Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Junior Tupou
    Replacement for Knights is number 18 Jack Johns

Match Officials

  • Referee: Chris Sutton
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Key match-up

Adam Doueihi v Anthony Milford: In a disappointing year, the return of Adam Doueihi from injury has been a silver lining for Wests Tigers fans, with the local junior looking more comfortable in the number six jersey as each game goes on. Since shifting into the halves, Doueihi has scored two tries in three games while also averaging over 100 metres on the ground — providing the attacking spark for Brett Kimmorley's side. His battle against Anthony Milford will be pivotal to each team's chances of getting the result on Sunday, with the Knights playmaker keen to end his time at Newcastle on a high before joining the Dolphins next year. Despite winning just one of their last five games, Milford has averaged a try assist per game for the last five weeks and has looked the most likely among an ever-changing Knights spine that has struggled without superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga.

Doueihi dynamic in Brisbane


Stat Attack

While both teams haven't had a lot of joy defensively this year, it's firming as a tough matchup on Sunday with the two sides currently sitting on the bottom of the ladder for points scored. Wests Tigers have the second fewest points this year (292) while Newcastle have managed just 284 through 20 games, and haven't scored more than 12 in each of their last three outings. Having scored 52 tries each this year, it could come down to goal-kicking on the day with the Knights (67 percent conversion rate) just shading Wests Tigers (66 percent) in that regard.

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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.

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