Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 1 clash between the Wests Tigers and Newcastle Knights.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Wests Tigers Vs Newcastle Knights
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney
Date: Friday 7 March, 6:00pm (ADST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Tigers: 1. Heath Mason 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Solomona Faataape 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tristan Hope 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Latu Fainu 19. Charlie Staines 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Reuben Porter
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Brodie Jones 17. Mathew Croker 18. Thomas Cant 19. Will Pryce 20. Logan Aoake 21. Jackson Hastings 22. Adam Elliott
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Bunker: Kasey Badger
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
The first Friday night game of Round 1 kicks off in Campbelltown as the Tigers begin their quest to get off the bottom of the ladder, hosting a young Knights side looking to get their season off to a fast start.
For the Tigers, the long-awaited club debut of Jarome Luai has arrived, with the star recruit named to start at halfback. He will captain the side in the absence of Api Koroisau (suspended). Also named to make their club debuts alongside Luai are Sunia Turuva, Terrell May, Jack Bird, Jeral Skelton, and Royce Hunt. Jahream Bula has failed to recover from shoulder surgery, with Heath Mason starting at fullback in his stead. Tallyn Da Silva starts at hooker, while Tristan Hope has been named to make his NRL debut off the bench at the age of 27.
With no trial form under his belt, Luai comes into his first game as a Tiger with the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. The Tigers’ quest to move up the ladder begins now, and Luai’s combination with Lachlan Galvin will be a key factor in how far the Tigers can go. They’ll need to be on their game in attack if they’re going to trade blows with the fast outside backs the Knights possess. Another big watch in this game will be the forward rotation and how May leads the Tigers pack as the spearhead against a strong Knights pack. This is an opportunity for the likes of May and Fonua Pole to stamp their authority on how the Tigers will play this year.
For the Knights, Fletcher Sharpe impressed in the trials in the halves and will start at five-eighth, with Jack Cogger getting the nod to partner him at halfback. James Schiller has been named to make his club debut on the wing. Phoenix Crossland starts at hooker, with Jayden Brailey shifting to the bench. Jacob Saifiti and Leo Thompson start in the front row, with Tyson Frizell moving to lock and Kai Pearce-Paul named to take his spot in the back row.
After an off-season with a lot of question marks around how the spine will look, Adam O’Brien has stuck strong with his decision to move Sharpe into the halves. A move that could spell danger for a Tigers defence that traditionally has struggled on the edges. How Sharpe combines with Kalyn Ponga and Cogger will be instrumental. Expect plenty of points if they can find their feet early. Elsewhere, the new-look Knights forward pack have a big task ahead. The likes of Leo Thompson, Jacob Saifiti, and Tyson Frizell will need to outmuscle May and the young Tigers forward pack, who will be looking to make an impact. The Knights have a good recent record against the Tigers, winning the last six encounters between the two sides.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Knights by 4 points.
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
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