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Match Preview

Knights v Eels: Moran in for Weale; Penitani officially ruled out

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pan66.com
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What a difference six months makes. 

A new champion will be crowned in the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership at on Sunday when Newcastle and Parramatta contest for the 2022 title after both failed to make the finals last season. 

Both club's remarkable turnarounds sets up a grand final showdown at Accor Stadium as part of a bumper Grand Final day that will see Parramatta and Penrith play in the NRL big dance shortly after.

The Knights are running hot and will go into the match as favourites despite the Eels knocking off the Roosters in the semi-finals for a stunning result to book their place in the side.

Parramatta have clicked into gear with wins over the Tricolours and Broncos to book their grand final berth. 

The battle of the forward packs promises to be a belter with the likes of Millie Boyle and Caitlan Johnston taking on Simaima Taufa and Kennedy Cherrington in the middle. 

NRLW Match Highlights: Knights v Dragons


The return of Tamika Upton from a calf injury for the Knights is also crucial with the star fullback lighting it up against the Dragons last start with two tries.

Both these sides have met each other twice in NRLW history with the Eels winning by a point in the 2021 season via a field goal while the Knights jagged a late try earlier this month to beat their rivals by two at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Sportsbet betting preview: Knights v Eels

The Rundown

Team news

Knights: No further changes on Sunday ahead of kick-off. As per last week's late change, Caitlin Moran will come on to the bench in place of Makenzie Weale in the only change for the Knights. Weale was retained in the squad as the 18th player.

Eels: The Eels remain 1-17 on game day. Star centre Tiana Penitani will not feature in the side after she failed to overcome a quad injury. Penitani dropped out of the 19-player squad on Saturday. Parramatta are otherwise unchanged, with Kennedy Cherrington and Brooke Anderson named to start at prop and hooker respectively, after being named on the bench in recent weeks only to be late inclusions in the run-on side.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika Upton
    Fullback for Eels is number 1 Gayle Broughton
  • Winger for Knights is number 2 Kiana Takairangi
    Winger for Eels is number 2 Zali Fay
  • Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice Parker
    Centre for Eels is number 3 Abbi Church
  • Centre for Knights is number 4 Bobbi Law
    Centre for Eels is number 4 Rikeya Horne
  • Winger for Knights is number 5 Emmanita Paki
    Winger for Eels is number 5 Cassey Tohi-Hiku
  • Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kirra Dibb
    Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Ashleigh Quinlan
  • Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse Southwell
    Halfback for Eels is number 7 Tayla Preston

Forwards

  • Prop for Knights is number 8 Caitlan Johnston
    Prop for Eels is number 8 Kennedy Cherrington 
  • Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
    Hooker for Eels is number 9 Brooke Anderson
  • Prop for Knights is number 10 Millie Boyle
    Prop for Eels is number 10 Ellie Johnston
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Romy Teitzel
    2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Christian Pio
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale
    2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Vanessa Foliaki
  • Lock for Knights is number 13 Kayla Romaniuk
    Lock for Eels is number 13 Simaima Taufa

Interchange

  • Interchange for Knights is number 14 Emma Manzelmann
    Interchange for Eels is number 14 Filomina Hanisi
  • Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tayla Predebon
    Interchange for Eels is number 15 Seli Mailangi
  • Interchange for Knights is number 16 Simone Karpani
    Interchange for Eels is number 16 Najvada George
  • Interchange for Knights is number 18 Caitlin Moran
    Interchange for Eels is number 17 Rima Butler

Reserves

  • Replacement for Knights is number 17 Makenzie Weale
    Replacement for Eels is number 18 Ruby-Jean  Kennard-Ellis

Match Officials

  • Referee: Kasey Badger
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

Key match-up

Millie Boyle v Kennedy Cherrington: The form of both forwards has been outstanding in the past fortnight in particular with Cherrington relishing her chance to start with back-to-back games of producing over 200 metres. Cherrington's energy gives the Eels a lift with every touch while other teammates Simaima Taufa and Filomina Hanisi get through plenty of work. Boyle has backed up her Dally M medal win last season to again prove to be the best forward in the NRLW. She ran for over 200 metres in 45 minutes of game time against the Dragons and scored one of the solo tries of the season with two fends on NSW teammates Emma Tonegato and Keeley Davis to the line.

Stat attack

The Eels fell short to the Knights by two points in Round 3 but the underdogs will take confidence into the clash knowing that afternoon they had just 46% of the ball but were on top of all other key stats areas to rattle the Knights until the final minutes. 

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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.