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Knights v Raiders: Saifiti out with COVID; Tapine, Cotric return

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After Canberra snuck away with a narrow victory against the Dragons at home on Sunday they will be looking to stay within reach of the top eight when they take on Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium.

The Raiders almost let the Dragons off the hook in a frantic finish but the two-point win keeps them hot on the heels of the Roosters with three games to play.

The occasion will be an intriguing trip for the visitors, who haven't played the Knights at home for five years. Jack Wighton, Nick Cotric, Jordan Rapana, Elliot Whitehead and Joseph Tapine are the only current Raiders who featured in the 2017 game.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are reeling after five defeats from their past six matches, finding themselves in 14th position on the ladder.

With a NSW Cup curtain-raiser and a NRLW Round 1 clash to be played after the NRL match, a loud and passionate crowd is guaranteed at McDonald Jones Stadium and that could be worth a few points to the Knights.

Sportsbet Betting preview: Knights v Raiders

The Rundown

Team news

Knights: Daniel Saifiti will miss the match due to COVID, which means his twin brother Jacob moves from lock to prop and Sauaso Sue joins the interchange as the new face in the team. Mat Croker starts at lock after originally being named on the interchange. Centre Bradman Best and winger Enari Tuala are out after being stood down by the club for disciplinary reasons. Edrick Lee is back from a foot injury on the wing and Krystian Mapapalangi will make his NRL debut at centre.

Raiders: Influential prop Joseph Tapine (ribs) returns to the field. Winger Nick Cotric is back from a one-game suspension which pushes Albert Hopoate to 18th Man. Tom Starling and Zac Woolford switched places before kick-off, with Starling the starting hooker and Woolford moving back to the bench. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tex Hoy
    Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Xavier Savage
  • Winger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee
    Winger for Raiders is number 2 Nick Cotric
  • Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
    Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko
  • Centre for Knights is number 4 Krystian Mapapalangi
    Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris
  • Winger for Knights is number 5 Dominic Young
    Winger for Raiders is number 5 Jordan Rapana
  • Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Anthony Milford
    Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Jack Wighton
  • Halfback for Knights is number 7 Adam Clune
    Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Forwards

  • Prop for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
    Prop for Raiders is number 8 Josh Papalii
  • Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
    Hooker for Raiders is number 14 Tom Starling
  • Prop for Knights is number 13 Jacob Saifiti
    Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Brodie Jones
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hudson Young
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
    2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Elliott Whitehead
  • Lock for Knights is number 18 Sauaso Sue
    Lock for Raiders is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

  • Interchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
    Interchange for Raiders is number 9 Zac Woolford
  • Interchange for Knights is number 15 Pasami Saulo
    Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Emre Guler
  • Interchange for Knights is number 16 Simi Sasagi
    Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Corey Horsburgh
  • Interchange for Knights is number 21 Oryn Keeley
    Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Corey Harawira-Naera 

Reserves

  • Replacement for Knights is number 20 Jack Johns
    Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Albert Hopoate

Match Officials

  • Referee: Grant Atkins
  • Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated:

Key match-up

Josh Papalii v David Klemmer: While one prop's team is fighting to keep their season alive and another is trying to finish their season with pride, it's tough to question the commitment or effort from 'Papa' and 'Klem'. On a week-to-week basis the two book-ends continue to churn away in the middle for their sides with Papalii producing 987 post-contact metres and Klemmer 986. Papalii also ranks fourth in the competition for offloads (35). Since returning from injury in Round 6, Klemmer has been equally vital for his side — averaging 156 metres per game while completing his tackles at a 97.3 percent efficiency rate. In what could well be a free-flowing contest, whichever forward pack can get on top early will be key in setting their side up for victory.

Stat Attack

The Raiders are second in the NRL for offloads with 254, led by Joseph Tapine with 37 and Josh Papalii 35. The Knights are ranked 10th for offloads with 190, led by David Klemmer with 29.

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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.