Wests Tigers v Knights preview: Hoy in for Ponga
Three late tries couldn't rescue the Wests Tigers from a seventh loss for the season last weekend, while the Knights are riding high after a come-from-behind win over the Raiders.
The contrasting fortunes for both clubs still bring them to Brisbane with some momentum. The Wests Tigers scored five tries and the Knights four in their round nine clashes.
Maybe the pressure of not having to try to live up to the great Tommy Raudonikis's legacy will help this week.
The Wests Tigers lost their way at Leichhardt Oval against the Cowboys in round five just days after his death, and then fell short against the Titans at Campbelltown Stadium last weekend after another Raudonikis tribute.
The Knights will be looking for a repeat Magic Round success this week, after they toppled the Bulldogs 22-10 at Suncorp Stadium in 2019 - the win coming in the midst of a six-game streak.
Match: Wests Tigers v Knights
Round 10 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
13th Position
away Team
Knights
11th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The rundown
Team news
Tigers: The Tigers will line up 1-17 as named with Stefano Utoikamanu the last man to drop out of the squad and Michael Chee Kam 18th man.
Coach Michael Maguire has revamped his spine, switching Adam Doueihi to centre and Moses Mbye five-eighth while Jacob Liddle wins back the starting role at No.9.
Back-rower Shawn Blore and halfback Jock Madden have been named on the interchange. Madden makes his NRL debut.
Winger Tommy Talau returns from suspension to oust rookie Zac Cini, whose dream debut turned into a second-game nightmare against the Gold Coast last week.
Deposed dummy-half Jake Simpkin and Tom Amone were the first cuts 24 hours out from the round 10 opener.
Wests Tigers' defensive record after nine rounds is the worst in the club’s history.
Knights: A late change an hour before kick-off with Hymel Hunt back from a hamstring injury on the wing in jersey 18. Brayden Musgrove drops out. Josh King is 18th man.
Kalyn Ponga will not suit up for Magic Round after being ruled out with a hip injury.
Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien confirmed on Thursday that the Queensland representative would be sidelined with Tex Hoy coming into the side at fullback for the trip to Brisbane.
Simi Sasagi was the other player to drop out of the squad on Thursday.
Edrick Lee (foot) is still waiting to make his return from injury.
Back-rower Mitch Barnett will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Match: Wests Tigers v Knights
Round 10 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine LaurieFullback for Knights is number 20 Tex Hoy
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David NofoalumaWinger for Knights is number 2 Starford To'a
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Adam DoueihiCentre for Knights is number 3 Enari Tuala
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Joseph LeiluaCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Tommy TalauWinger for Knights is number 18 Hymel Hunt
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Moses MbyeFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kurt Mann
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke BrooksHalfback for Knights is number 7 Phoenix Crossland
Forwards
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 James TamouProp for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob LiddleHooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Alex TwalProp for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Joe OfahengaueLock for Knights is number 13 Mitchell Barnett
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jock MaddenInterchange for Knights is number 14 Connor Watson
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Shawn BloreInterchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex SeyfarthInterchange for Knights is number 16 Sauaso Sue
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Thomas MikaeleInterchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
Reserves
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 18 Michael Chee KamReserve for Knights is number 19 Josh King
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Key match-up
Daine Laurie v Tex Hoy: The dancing footwork and elusive running of Laurie and Ponga's replacement, Hoy, should provide a fair chunk of the entertainment in this game, plus influence the point-scoring.
Laurie has four tries and 41 tackle busts this season while Hoy has done a solid job when called upon to fill on for Ponga, who made eight tackle busts of his own in last week's come-from-behind win against the Raiders.
Stat attack
The Knights are averaging 17.9 games per game in 2021, just a tick ahead of the Tigers with 17.6 per match, suggesting a tight contest is on the cards.
Both are well shy of big guns Melbourne (32.4 points per game), Eels 28.9, Panthers 28.9 and Roosters 28.2.
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