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Knights v Wests Tigers: Southwell returns; Horne rested

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pan66.com
Timestamp

The Knights returned to the winner's circle last week in their match against the Eels, with gun fullback Tamika Upton scoring a double and debutant Evie Jones crossing for a try in their 36-16 win.

Jones started the match in place of star halfback Jesse Southwell due to concussion, but she wasn't overawed and played her part in helping get the Knights back on track after coming into the game with back-to-back losses.

The Tigers remain on the hunt for their first win after being trampled by the Broncos in their second half of their game to lose 44-14, despite boasting a 14-6 lead at half-time. 

Coach Brett Kimmorley said his side "just fell off the cliff" in the second half and misses 50 tackles, so there's no doubt defence will be a big focus for his side coming into the game against the defending premiers. 

Teams news

Knights: Jesse Southwell will make her return to the side after missing last week due to concussion protocols. The playmaker was originally named in the reserves but was added to the interchange in Sunday's final team update. Evie Jones remains the starting halfback. Tayla Predebon drops out of the squad as a result. The other change will see Sheridan Gallagher and Tenika Willison switch positions, with Gallagher moving to the wing and Willison to centre. Jules Kirkpatrick is the 18th player. Gallagher was added to the starting side in Saturday's team update after Abigail Roache was ruled out with a pectoral injury. Viena Tinao came on to the bench as a result.  

Wests Tigers: In the 18th player role last week, Shaianne McGlone comes into the centres for this match, with Rikeya Horne rested as per HIA protocols. McGlone has played four games already this season in the second row. One change in Saturday's team update with Tess Staines coming into the centres for Leianne Tufuga who has been ruled out with a knee injury. Iemaima Etuale and Evie McGrath have dropped out of the extended squad. There were no further changes in Sunday's final update, with Jessica Kennedy the 18th player.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika Upton
    Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Botille  Vette-Welsh
  • Winger for Knights is number 5 Lilly-Ann White
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Rebecca Pollard
  • Centre for Knights is number 2 Tenika Willison
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Shaianne McGlone
  • Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice Parker
    Centre for Wests Tigers is number 18 Tess Staines
  • Winger for Knights is number 18 Sheridan Gallagher
    Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Tiana-Lee Thorne
  • Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia Roche
    Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Pauline   Piliae-Rasabale
  • Halfback for Knights is number 7 Evie Jones
    Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Losana Lutu

Forwards

  • Prop for Knights is number 8 Rima Butler
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Sarah Togatuki
  • Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
    Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Salma Nour
  • Prop for Knights is number 10 Simone Karpani
    Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Christian Pio
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Laishon Albert-Jones
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Brooke Talataina
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale
    2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Montana Clifford
  • Lock for Knights is number 13 Hannah Southwell
    Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Najvada George

Interchange

  • Interchange for Knights is number 14 Nita Maynard
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Sophie Curtain
  • Interchange for Knights is number 15 Kayla Romaniuk
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Natasha Penitani
  • Interchange for Knights is number 20 Viena Tinao
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Tara Reinke
  • Interchange for Knights is number 22 Jesse Southwell
    Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Ebony Prior

Reserves

  • Replacement for Knights is number 19 Jules Kirkpatrick
    Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 19 Jessica Kennedy

Match Officials

  • Senior Review Official: Peter Gough

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Knights have won nine of their past 10 games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
  • Wests Tigers have averaged only 10 points per game in 2024.
  • Knights fullback Tamika Upton has scored four tries in her past four games.
  • Tigers five-eighth Pauline Piliae-Rasabale has kicked at 80 per cent this season.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, 

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.