Match Preview: NRL Round 1 vs Knights

Author: Wests Tigers
Timestamp: Thu 6 Mar 2025, 01:50 PM

Wests Tigers open their 2025 campaign against the Knights at Campbelltown this Friday evening.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Friday 7 Mar

7:00 am

Wests Tigers

Knights

Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Sydney

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Seven club debutants will make their first official appearances for Wests Tigers in Round 1, including new co-captain Jarome Luai.

Tristan Hope is one of these seven players and will make his NRL debut in the match at 27 years old.

The hooker has played in the Queensland Cup for multiple clubs since debuting in the competition in 2018 and was a member of the Brisbane Tigers premiership-winning side in 2023.

Hope in action for Wests Tigers in the Pre-Season Challenge

Sunia Turuva, Jeral Skelton, Terrell May, Royce Hunt and Jack Bird will also receive their official Wests Tigers Player Numbers when they take to the field on Friday.

The Knights have named a strong side, headlined by skipper Kalyn Ponga lining up at the back.

Wests Tigers will have to reverse the form guide if they are to overcome Newcastle, having been defeated in their last six matches against the Hunter club.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Friday 7 Mar

7:00 am

Wests Tigers

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Heath Mason

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Sunia Turuva

Winger for Knights is number 2 James Schiller
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Adam Doueihi

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Solomona Faataape

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Jeral Skelton

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Lachlan Galvin

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Jarome Luai

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jack Cogger

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Terrell May

Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Tallyn Da Silva

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Fonua Pole

Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Samuela Fainu

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Alex Seyfarth

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Alex Twal

Lock for Knights is number 13 Tyson Frizell

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Tristan Hope

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Royce Hunt

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jack Hetherington
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Jack Bird

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Brodie Jones
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Sione Fainu

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker

Reserves

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Latu Fainu

Replacement for Knights is number 18 Thomas Cant
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Kit Laulilii

Reserve for Knights is number 19 Will Pryce

Match Officials

Referee: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Jon Stone
Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated: 3/6/2025 6:58:21 AM

Fast Facts

Wests Tigers have not won an opening-round game since 2020.
The Knights have won their past six games against Wests Tigers.
Knights five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe scored four tries in his only game against the Tigers in 2024.
Wests Tigers lock Jack Bird has scored six tries in eight games against the Knights.

Stats supplied by NRL historian/statistician David Middleton.