Canberra Raiders v Newcastle Knights
Trell and Cody star as Souths charge towards the eight
3 hours ago | AJ Lucantonio
Prince Ponga back in action as Knights journey to Canberra
The return of Kalyn Ponga looks set to buoy a Knights side looking to crack the top 8 when they take on the flagging Canberra Raiders.
The Raiders are coming off a 16-6 loss to the Knights, their 4th loss in 5 matches. Tom Starling was a wall in defence with 52 tackles, while Kaeo Weekes had a mixed bag - scoring a try but also making three errors. Adam Cook was strong as well, but the team lacked performances from stars Xavier Savage, Jordan Rapana and Matthew Timoko.
By contrast the Knights took a much needed 34-26 win against the Eels, snapping a three game losing streak between their first two byes. Bradman Best was at his dominant… best… with two tries, two try assists, 8 tackle breaks and an absurd 357 running metres. Greg Marzhew recorded a double, Jackson Hastings picked up two line break assists and Dane Gagai staked his claim for a Maroons recall with 8 tackle breaks of his own.
Ricky Stuart has opted for major changes to the Raiders side in a bid to revive their season, notably Kaeo Weekes making his move to fullback permanent with Jordan Rapana sliding back to the wing and Adam Cook replacing him at halfback. Simi Sasagi joins the interchange in place of Jordan Martin, who has entered concussion protocols after failing a HIA on debut.
Newcastle welcome back superstar Kalyn Ponga at fullback, who hasn't played since picking up a Lisfranc injury in Round 7. Elsewhere Leo Thompson returns at prop after being a late withdrawal last week with an Achilles problem and Dylan Lucas has overcome a hamstring issue to take his place on the bench. Hooker Phoenix Crossland is in concussion protocol so Jayden Brailey starts and Fletcher Sharpe fills the bench utility role.
The Knights have slowly brought their defence above the league average, now conceding just under 22 points a game. Their attack is still a struggle, scoring less than 19 per match. By comparison, Canberra score just over 20 points a game but their defence is much worse, conceding slightly more than 26 each time they take the field.
Last meeting: Round 1 2024 - Knights 12 Raiders 28
Who to watch: Kaeo Weekes' move to fullback feels like a make or break decision in the Raiders season. He's been good this season - with 5 tries and 3 try assists through 8 appearances - but he wasn't a traditional halfback, forcing just one drop out while averaging 112 running metres a game. Fullback suits him better, and Ricky Stuart is giving him the chance to stake his claim before he potentially turns to NSW U/19s star Chevy Stewart.
Obviously there's one man to watch for Newcastle: Kalyn Ponga. Ponga's start to the season was not exactly flash, with just one try to go along with 4 try assists in his first 6 games before suffering a foot injury in Round 7. But one thing is obvious - Newcastle play their best when Ponga is wearing the number one jersey. As the Knights push for finals football, Ponga returning to even shades of the form that won him last years Dally M Medal would be vital.
The favourite: Newcastle are the most backed in this one.
My tip: Just on a morale level, the return of Ponga is invaluable for the Knights. If he can come back with form as well, they might be irresistible. Knights by 12
1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Albert Hopoate 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Adam Cook 8. Josh Papali'i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Danny Levi 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Simi Sasagi 18. Sebastian Kris 19. Zac Woolford 20. Emre Guler 21. James Schiller 22. Hohepa Puru
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Pryce 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Fletcher Sharpe 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Brodie Jones 17. Dylan Lucas 18. Mathew Croker 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Jack Cogger 21. Krystian Mapapalangi 22. Thomas Cant
Referees: Gerard Sutton; Sideline Officials: Matt Noyen, Jon Stone; Video Referees: Kasey Badger;