Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders THURSDAY, MARCH 7th, 2024
A Thrilling Rematch at McDonald Jones Stadium
These sides met only a few months ago in a thrilling elimination final, the Knights edging out the Raiders thanks to an 89th-minute penalty goal. Both teams will have to manage some key losses from last season, including the likes of Jack Wighton for the Raiders, and Dominic Young and Lachlan Fitzgibbon for the Knights.
Newcastle Knights Line-up
Jayden Bailey is out with a hamstring injury for Newcastle, so Phoenix Crossland will start at hooker in a role he thrived in through the second half of last year. New recruit Jack Cogger will start on the bench, with Adam O’Brien opting to stick with the incumbent halves pairing of Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings.
The Knights have lost Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Kurt Mann and try scoring whiz Dominic Young from that final team.
Dane Gagai is on the last year of a $550,000 a year deal with the Knights, with the club electing to hold off on extension talks.
So there’s no doubt the former Queensland Origin star is under pressure to perform, especially early in the season.
Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott
Bench. 14. Jack Cogger 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Kai Pearce-Paul
Reserves. 18. Jed Cartwright 19. Thomas Jenkins 20. Will Pryce 21. Brodie Jones 22. Thomas Cant.
Canberra Raiders Line-up
Youngster Ethan Strange will get first crack at the vacant No. 6 jersey for the Raiders, while Jordan Rapana will start at fullback. Morgan Smithies will make his NRL debut at lock after coming over from Wigan and former Panther Zac Hosking will start in the second row with Elliot Whithead side lined with a calf injury. Zac Woolford has been left out of the 17 as Ricky Stuart elects to go with Danny Levi and Tom Starling as his dummy half combination.
There is plenty of intrigue in both sides, but pressure will be on Canberra’s new recruits to deliver right away to claim an unlikely victory in Newcastle. The Knights have a strong record at home, winning their past six games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
It is Round 1 though and anything can happen. The Raiders’ front row pairing of Joseph Tapine and Josh Papali’i will be key. If that duo can dominate early and win the battle through the middle, the Raiders will be in with a chance.
The Raiders farewelled Jack Wighton in the off-season. Corey Horsburgh and Sebastian Kris remain suspended, giving coach Ricky Stuart the opportunity to test out some new blood in their season opener.
Canberra captain Elliott Whitehead is expected to miss the next three to four weeks with a calf injury, opening the door for a couple of new recruits to strut their stuff.
Whitehead was a surprising omission from the Raiders’ team list to face the Knights, with former Panther Zac Hosking to start on the right edge in his club debut.
Whitehead’s injury is a big blow for a team who lost plenty of leadership and experience when Jack Wighton left for the Rabbitohs.
Joseph Tapine will captain the side in Whitehead’s absence with Jamal Fogarty the vice captain.
Raiders
1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Albert Hopoate 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies
Bench. 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Ata Mariota 17. Pasami Saulo
Reserves. 18. Kaeo Weekes 19. Simi Sasagi 20. Zac Woolford 21. James Schiller 22. Trey Mooney
Referee. Todd Smith, Touch Judges. Kasey Badger, Jon Stone, Bunker, Chris Butle
Key Match Insights
The Newcastle Knights are one of the best teams heading into the 2024 NRL season.
Last year they looked dangerous, and this year in the pre-season matches the team looked deadly. With a hard-working forward pack, and a backline that is an unpredictable backline that can turn a game around at the drop of a hat. This team has what it takes to surprise the tipsters and NRL experts.
One of the elements that make the Knights so dangerous is that they play as a team.
Coach Adam O’Brien has had his hands full. With several key players injured, hooker Jayden Brailey, fullback Kalyn Ponga and halfback Jackson Hastings. The team’s depth is being tested from the Geko.
With 10 new faces added to the squad fans and NRL tipping experts are pumped to see the team play their first official game in the NRL competition for 2024.
The Canberra Raiders looked woeful in their pre-season trials. Having fans and tipsters highly concerned for their round 1 first game of the NRL season.
If you are a betting man and looking to have a punt on the Canberra Raiders this weekend proceed with caution!
The Raiders will need to keep this game tight to stand any chance of winning. In 2023 the Raiders turned a lot of tight games into wins, but can they keep this form in 2024?
The Canberra Raiders are starting to look a bit old and battered with the majority of the team getting up there in age. Their fresh imports are super green and lack experience.
The consensus amongst tipsters and experts is the team won’t be as good as 2023. We are not predicting much from this team this year. Betting tip, save your money!
The Knights have won six of their past eight games against the Raiders.
The Raiders have lost their past four away games.
Knights winger Greg Marzhew has scored 15 tries in his past 14 NRL games.
The Raiders have claimed a Round 1 victory in four of their past five seasons.
The Knights have won their past six games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Prediction
The Knights ended the Raiders’ season last year in the first week of the finals, so Ricky Stuart’s men will be keen for revenge here. Canberra have lost Jack Wighton to the Rabbitohs, and have been relatively quiet on the player market. The Knights at home, with Ponga leading from fullback, should be too good first up. Maybe a small bet on Marzhew, any time try scorer.
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