NRL, ROUND 11, MAY 14th, 2023 NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v GOLD COAST TITANS
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Fresh from recording back-to-back wins for the first time this season, the Titans will head to Newcastle to face a Knights side desperate to get back into the winner’s circle after a run of tough defeats.
With Kieran Foran winding back the clock, David Fifita in arguably career best form and young guns Jayden Campbell and Alofiana Khan-Pereira firing, the Titans enter Round 11 inside the top eight and incredibly on the cusp of the top four courtesy of a hard-fought 26-24 win over Parramatta.
They’ll travel south to face a Newcastle side fresh off the bye last week, which couldn’t have come at a better time for Adam O’Brien’s side.
The Knights haven’t won since defeating the Warriors in Round 6 but will relish being back in front of their faithful fans at McDonald Jones Stadium, where they’ve won three of their last four including a Golden Point defeat to last year’s premiers.
Historically, Gold Coast have won just four of their 13 games at Newcastle and haven’t won three in a row since the game went behind closed doors in Queensland as a result of the COVID pandemic in 2021.
KNIGHTS. With Kurt Mann sidelined by an abdominal injury, Phoenix Crossland takes over at hooker and Adam Elliott joins the bench. Elliott will make his first appearance since suffering a groin injury in the opening game of the season against the Warriors. No changes in Saturday’s 24-hour update.
Knights. 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Kalyn Ponga 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Mathew Croker 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Adam Elliott 17. Jack Hetherington 18. Jack Johns 19. Enari Tuala 20. Adam Clune 21. Dylan Lucas 22. Simi Sasagi
Titans. 1. Jayden Campbell 2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami 6. Kieran Foran 7. Tanah Boyd 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Chris Randall 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. David Fifita 12. Joe Stimson 13. Isaac Liu 14. Kruise Leeming 15. Erin Clark 16. Klese Haas 17. Jo Vuna 18. Keano Kini 19. Aaron Schoupp 20. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui 21. Thomas Mikaele 22. Sam McIntyre
Titans. Just the one change after the impressive win over the Eels with Kruise Leeming coming back in on the bench for Keano Kini, who goes to 18th Man. Jayden Campbell continues at fullback while AJ Brimson works his way back from a hamstring injury. Toby Sexton (wrist) is nearing a return but will find it tough to unseat either Tanah Boyd or Kieran Foran in the halves. Aaron Schoupp, Thomas Mikaele and Sam McIntyre were omitted when the squad was trimmed to 19 on Saturday.
Referee: Peter Gough
Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Kasey Badger
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
No team has recorded more tackle breaks per game than the Knights, who average 38.2 tackle breaks compared to the Titans 29.8 per game.
The Knights have made more tackles per game (356.6) than any other team.
The Knights have won their past four games against the Titans at McDonald Jones Stadium, who have only won three of their past 15 at the venue.
David Fifita has scored five tries in five games against the Knights, while Dominic Young scored four tries in two games against the Titans in 2022.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira has scored 11 tries from his first nine NRL games.
PREDICTION
Having not won a game since round six against the New Zealand Warriors, this will be a crucial game for the Knights, if they are to forge their way toward a spot in the top eight, currently sitting at 12th on the ladder.
They will face a strong forward pack from the Titans and will need a solid defence to hold them back from scoring. Given the Titans last performance against the Parramatta Eels in the Magic Round with the final score 26 – 24, the Knights will have a bit of work to do but may just push through for a win.
The line up for the Knights will see Daniel Saifiti back from a shoulder injury and he is confident that he has what it takes to face the likes of David Fifita. They will be missing Kurt Mann who is sidelined by an abdominal injury, bringing in young gun Phoenix Crossland into the forward pack. Will Crossland be able to match his versatility, strength and energy and go over for a another try, as he demonstrated in the match against the Warriors? He will play alongside fellow teammates, Dominic Young and Lachlan Miller. Adam Elliot could also prove crucial for the struggling side as he takes to the bench, with this being his first appearance after coming back from suffering a groin injury in their opening game of the season against the Warriors.
The Gold Coast Titans line up remains virtually unchanged, with coach Justin Holbrook confident with his stellar line up. The Titans remain a force to be reckoned with after players like Kieran Foran’s and Alofiana Khan-Pereira’s impressive performance against the Parramatta Eels last Sunday in Brisbane and the teaming up of Jayden Campbell and AJ Brimson may prove no match for the struggling Knights. Will the Titans be untouchable or will the refreshed Knights show the way to victory, leaving the Titans too tired in their wake. Sunday’s game will see a test of strength and endurance between these two teams as they battle their way up the ladder.
Take your pick here as these two teams are very close. I will go with the Titans by a point.
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