Wests Tigers will be eager to build on a promising opening performance as they travel to Newcastle to face the Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Despite falling short in Round 1, the squad stood up to a highly-fancied Melbourne Storm lineup and proved that they’ll be up for the fight in 2022.
After missing last week’s match due to suspension, co-captain James Tamou is set to partner Stefano Utoikamanu in the front-row with Alex Twal providing added starch to the interchange bench.
Ken Maumalo will line-up alongside Oliver Gildart and Kelma Tuilagi on the left once again, with the trio looking to further build on their combination after scoring two tries last weekend.
Wests Tigers Round 2 Team
Tyrone Peachey will again wear the number 14 on his back and provide support for Jake Simpkin, who has been named to start at hooker despite suffering a shoulder injury against the Storm.
On the other side of the ledger, the Knights will be keen to continue their strong start to the season after they upset the Roosters in an impressive Round 1 performance at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Adam O’Brien has made no changes to his squad as they look to carry last week’s momentum into this clash.
Twal and Wests Tigers know what they're capable of
Team Lists
Match: Knights v Wests Tigers
Round 2 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Wests Tigers
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 20 Tex HoyFullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine Laurie
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Wests Tigers is number 3 James Roberts
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Oliver Gildart
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Enari TualaWinger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Ken Maumalo
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Jake CliffordFive-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jackson Hastings
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Adam CluneHalfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Jacob SaifitiProp for Wests Tigers is number 10 Stefano Utoikamanu
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Chris RandallHooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jake Simpkin
-
Prop for Knights is number 15 Mitchell BarnettProp for Wests Tigers is number 15 Alex Twal
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Kelma Tuilagi
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Kurt MannLock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Joe Ofahengaue
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix CrosslandInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tyrone Peachey
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Leo ThompsonInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Zane Musgrove
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Jirah MomoiseaInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Alex Seyfarth
-
Interchange for Knights is number 18 Mat CrokerInterchange for Wests Tigers is number 18 Thomas Mikaele
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 21 Simi SasagiReplacement for Wests Tigers is number 19 Luke Garner
Match Officials
- Referee: Ben Cummins
- Touch Judge: Darian Furner
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Match Details
Date — Sunday, 20th March, 2022
Time — 4:05pm AEDT
Venue — McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Nofoaluma and his teammates are hungry for success
TV, Radio and Live Stream Information
TV — Channel 9, FOX League (Ch. 502)
Radio — AM 702 Grandstand, 873 2GB, Triple M 104.9
Live Stream — KAYO Sports, Watch NRL (int.)
Luciano excited by new brand of Wests Tigers footy
Latest PlayUp Odds
Head-to-Head - Newcastle Knights ($1.38) v Wests Tigers ($3.10)
Odds correct as of 12:00pm, Wednesday, 9th March. 18+ only. Gamble Responsibly.
History
Head-to-Head — Played 32, Wests Tigers 17, Newcastle Knights 15
At McDonald Jones Stadium — Played 18, Wests Tigers 9, Newcastle Knights 9
Last Time They Met — Wests Tigers 36 def. Newcastle Knights 18 (Rd. 10, 2021)
Flashback
Match: Wests Tigers v Knights
Round 13 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
7th Position
away Team
Knights
9th Position
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
In 2011, over 18,000 fans jammed into Leichhardt Oval to watch the eighth-placed Wests Tigers face off against the ninth-placed Newcastle Knights in a critical mid-table clash.
Halfback Robert Lui brought the crowd to life by skipping through the line to score the first try of the match, before the Knights hit back through Neville Costigan and James McManus.
Facing a halftime deficit, rookie centre Tim Simona produced an audacious flick pass to winger Mitch Brown, who levelled the scores with a try in the corner.
Former representative prop Antonio Kaufusi restored Newcastle’s advantage after the break, before Robbie Farah sent Liam Fulton through the line to tie the game with just seven minutes remaining.
In extra time, a barging run from Chris Heighington decimated the Knights’ defensive line, providing Farah with the option of passing off to Tim Moltzen or Robert Lui for the field goal.
However, the crafty hooker took advantage of some poor marker defence and opted to kick the one-pointer himself, winning the game in front of a parochial home crowd.
NRL Teams: Knights v Wests Tigers
Match Officials
Referee — Ben Cummins
Touch Judge — Chris Sutton and Darian Furner
Bunker Official — Ashley Klein
Merchandise & Membership
Wests Tigers Merchandise will be available this week at McDonald Jones Stadium from 11:30am at the southern entrance located next to Lambton Ker-rai Creek
#ShowYourStripes and gear up for the game ahead with our latest 2022 Merchandise ranges.
With three games on offer, get in early and enjoy two games of NRLW followed by your Wests Tigers tacking the Newcastle Knights from 4pm.
Wests Tigers Members and fans are encouraged to use the promo code TIGERSR2 to secure their tickets for this clash.
