Friday 17 TH, March ,5PM ,McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle.
The Dolphins continued their dream start to life in the NRL with a 20-14 win over the Raiders to be one of only two teams with two wins heading into Round 3. Their victory over Canberra had some contentious moments and a bit of luck, but the Dolphins showed plenty of fight in their come-from-behind win. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow could prove to be the Dolphins’ best buy after scoring a double to make it three tries from his first two games for the club. Another former Cowboy Tom Gilbert was also strong with 128 run metres, 35 tackles and a try of his own. The Dolphins will have bigger tests ahead and play their first road game in Round 3, but the Knights are decimated by injuries and suspension, so Wayne Bennett’s side could be three from three heading into a mouth-watering derby with the Broncos in Round 4.
The Knights’ 14-12 win over a woeful Tigers outfit may have been one of the gutsiest in the club’s history, but it came at an enormous cost. Skipper Kalyn Ponga looks set for a stint on the sidelines after suffering his fourth concussion in 10 months and second head knock in two weeks this season. The Knights also lost Jayden Brailey, Tyson Frizell and Jack Johns, while Jacob Saifiti has been banned for his send-off offence. On a bright note recruit Tyson Gamble filled in well for Ponga at five-eighth and could be an answer long-term if Ponga returns to fullback to protect him from the front line defence. The undermanned Knights face a tall order against the in form Dolphins in Round 3.
KNIGHTS.
Knights team: 1. Lachlan Miller 2. Hymel Hunt 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Brodie Jones 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Leo Thompson 14. Ryan Rivett 15. Mathew Croker 17. Dylan Lucas 22. Thomas Cant 19. Greg Marzhew 20. Oryn Keeley
Jack Johns is sidelined with an ankle injury, seeing Thomas Cant replace him on the bench to make his NRL debut along with Ryan Rivett and Dylan Lucas.
Players cut: 16. Jack Johns 18. Enari Tuala 21. Ben Talty
Gamble will partner Hastings in the halves, Crossland hooker, Hetherington starts up front and Jones starts back row. Rivett and Lucas are named to debut off the bench while Mat Croker joins them on return from suspension.
DOLPHINS. 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Kodi Nikorima 14. Connelly Lemuelu 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kurt Donoghoe 18. Mason Teague 24. Poasa Faamausili 22. Robert Jennings
No Jarrod Wallace, with the prop sidelined for “personal reasons” according to Wayne Bennett as Connelly Lemuelu comes into the starting team.
Jeremy Marshall-King (suspended) makes way for Kodi Nikorima at hooker, while Stone returns on the bench replacing debutant Mason Teague in the 17.Kodi has played for New Zealand, Broncos. South Sydney, and NZ.Warriors. Now with the Dolphins.
Match Officials
Referees: Chris Butler; Sideline Officials: Nick Beashel, Matt Noyen; Video Referees: Ben Cummins;
Predictions. Dolphins at minus 2.5 points @$1.77 looks pretty good to me.
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