The Sydney Roosters will face the Newcastle Knights on Saturday night for the first time since July 2019 in what's set to be an engaging top eight clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
While the Roosters are riding high on the back of a strong victory over the Canberra Raiders on enemy ground, the Knights are full of confidence after a blowout win over the Cronulla Sharks.
What both of these sides have in common is that they've both won four of their last five matches and are preparing themselves for a finals run in October.
There's a lot to like about this match-up as the fourth placed Roosters go toe-to-toe with the sixth placed Newcastle Knights for the first time this season.
Luke Keary is set to line-up for his 150th NRL match when he takes to the field on Saturday night.
Let's take a look at some of the numbers and key info heading into Round 18.
It's Been Special | Luke Keary
Match: Roosters v Knights
Round 18 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James TedescoFullback for Knights is number 1 Tex Hoy
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel TupouWinger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Josh MorrisCentre for Knights is number 3 Enari Tuala
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph ManuCentre for Knights is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki
-
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Brett MorrisWinger for Knights is number 5 Starford To'a
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke KearyFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Mason Lino
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Kyle FlanaganHalfback for Knights is number 7 Mitchell Pearce
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua TaukeiahoProp for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake FriendHooker for Knights is number 9 Kurt Mann
-
Prop for Roosters is number 13 Isaac LiuProp for Knights is number 15 Daniel Saifiti
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Boyd Cordner2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Aidan Guerra
-
Lock for Roosters is number 16 Angus CrichtonLock for Knights is number 10 Jacob Saifiti
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Nat ButcherInterchange for Knights is number 13 Herman Ese'ese
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Lindsay CollinsInterchange for Knights is number 16 Josh King
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Sonny Bill WilliamsInterchange for Knights is number 18 Sione Mata'utia
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Mitchell AubussonInterchange for Knights is number 21 Chris Randall
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Chris Butler
- Touch Judge: Chris Sutton
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
Roosters: Captain Jake Friend will return at hooker in place of Freddy Lussick in the only change from last week's win over Canberra. Mitchell Aubusson has again been included on the reserves.
Knights: Kalyn Ponga, Mitch Barnett and Hymel Hunt have been rested with Tex Hoy at fullback, Edrick Lee back from injury on the wing and Herman Ese'ese starting at lock. Daniel Saifiti will return on the bench while Sione Mata'utia (ankle) is also a good chance after being listed in the reserves.
LAST TIME WE MET
Extended Highlights | Roosters v Knights