There will be intrigue to see how the Knights respond this week to the challenge of facing the top two teams back-to-back when they host the Broncos.
Newcastle went down to the undefeated Roosters last weekend and showed plenty of pluck but could not match it on the scoreboard with the dominant defending premiers, going down 30-14.
The Broncos head to town with a number of former Knights - including star fullback Tamika Upton and in-form second rower Romy Teitzel - keen to build on their strong win over the Eels last week.
Teitzel scored a double in the win that was spurred on with the emotion of skipper Ali Brigginshaw reaching her 50-game NRLW milestone, while forward Chelsea Lenarduzzi is also set to reach the figure in this week's game.
Match: Knights v Broncos
Round 8 -
home Team
Knights
5th Position
away Team
Broncos
2nd Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team News
Knights: A late change on game day with Tenika Willison not named to play. Evah McEwan moves into the centres, with Jules Kirkpatrick coming from the bench to start in the second row. Joeli Morris joins the bench, with Lilly-Ann White the new replacement player. Earlier, Bo Vette-Welsh was named at fullback after being a late withdrawal last week against the Roosters, suffering a knee injury during the warm-up. On the bench, Viena Tinao comes in for Simone Karpani, who is facing 2-4 weeks out with a calf strain. The Knights have won 13 of their last 15 games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Broncos: Prop Brianna Clark returns from suspension and will start, moving Keilee Joseph back to lock and young gun Shalom Sauaso to the bench. Forward Chelsea Lenarduzzi will come from the bench in her milestone 50th NRLW match. No changes on game day, with with Azalleyah Maaka the 18th player.
Match: Knights v Broncos
Round 8 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Botille Vette-WelshFullback for Broncos is number 1 Tamika Upton
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan GallagherWinger for Broncos is number 2 Kerri Johnson
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice ParkerCentre for Broncos is number 3 Mele Hufanga
-
Centre for Knights is number 11 Evah McEwenCentre for Broncos is number 4 Julia Robinson
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Tess StainesWinger for Broncos is number 5 Hayley Maddick
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia RocheFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Gayle Broughton
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse SouthwellHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali Brigginshaw
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Tayla PredebonProp for Broncos is number 8 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Broncos is number 9 Jada Ferguson
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Tiana DavisonProp for Broncos is number 10 Brianna Clark
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Lauren Dam
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 14 Jules Kirkpatrick2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Romy Teitzel
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Kayla RomaniukLock for Broncos is number 13 Keilee Joseph
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Viena TinaoInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Destiny Brill
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Sienna YeoInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Chelsea Lenarduzzi
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Grace KukutaiInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Shenae Ciesiolka
-
Interchange for Knights is number 18 Joeli MorrisInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Shalom Sauaso
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 19 Lilly-Ann WhiteReplacement for Broncos is number 18 Azalleyah Maaka
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have won three of their last four games against the Broncos.
- Broncos centre Julia Robinson is on a four-game try scoring streak.
- Knights winger Sheridan Gallagher has scored six tries in her last six games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Broncos forward Chelsea Lenarduzzi will make her 50th NRLW appearance.
- The Knights have won 13 of their last 15 games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
