2022 NRL Round 15 Preview, Raiders Vs Knights

Josh Mercer previews the round 15 clash between the Canberra Raiders and the Newcastle Knights.

MATCHDAY NEWS

MATCHDAY SCHEDULE

Canberra Raiders Vs Newcastle Knights
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Date: Sunday, June 19, 2:00 pm

MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS

Related: NRL Team List Tuesday

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Raiders: 1. Xavier Savage 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Adam Elliott 14. Tom Starling 15. Ryan Sutton 16. Corey Harawira-Naera 17. Corey Horsburgh 18. Brad Schneider 19. James Schiller 20. Trey Mooney 21. Semi Valemei 22. Adrian Trevilyan

Jordan Rapana returns from suspension, moving James Schiller out of the side. Josh Papalii will start this game after starting from the bench against Brisbane.

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Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Dane Gagai 4. Enari Tuala 5. Dominic Young 6. Anthony Milford 7. Jake Clifford 8. David Klemmer 9. Chris Randall 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Kurt Mann 14. Simi Sasagi 15. Leo Thompson 16. Mathew Croker 17. Pasami Saulo 18. Phoenix Crossland 19. Tex Hoy 20. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 21. Adam Clune 22. Hymel Hunt

Kalyn Ponga has been named even though he suffered a concussion last weekend. Kurt Mann will start at lock and Mitch Barnett moves to the second row, forcing Lachlan Fitzgibbon out of the side.

Referee: Ashley Klein

MATCHDAY PREVIEW

The Raiders put up a good effort against the Broncos last week; unfortunately, they just couldn’t chase them down. They did show what they are capable of and it may be the worst possible outcome for the Knights.

Things just go from bad to worse for Adam O’Brien and the Knights. They were thoroughly outclassed by the Panthers Juggernaut. Like Nine commentator Matt Thompson said, the Panthers were in a mood, and it was a big mood!

If the Knights are to beat the Raiders, they are going to have to shut down Joe Tapine and Josh Papalii. Tapine is having a great season, he consistently plays well and makes the most of metres of any forward. Papalii’s go forward is also unmatched, and when big ‘Papa’ is on, he is on.

If Kalyn Ponga plays, he is the man that will need to stand up for the Knights. After a great start to the season, they have had a disappointing turnaround. Moving Kurt Mann to lock again is the right choice by O’Brien, but at this stage of the season what more can the man do.

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INTERESTING FACT

The Knights will have to overcome a GIO Stadium hoodoo if they are to get the W this weekend. They have only won 6 out of 22 games in the Nation’s Capital.

MATCHDAY PREDICTION

Raiders by 16.

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