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Match Preview | Roosters v Knights

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

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
    Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tex Hoy
  • Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
    Winger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee
  • Centre for Roosters is number 3 Josh Morris
    Centre for Knights is number 3 Enari Tuala
  • Centre for Roosters is number 4 Joseph Manu
    Centre for Knights is number 4 Gehamat Shibasaki
  • Winger for Roosters is number 5 Brett Morris
    Winger for Knights is number 5 Starford To'a
  • Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Luke Keary
    Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Mason Lino
  • Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Kyle Flanagan
    Halfback for Knights is number 7 Mitchell Pearce

Forwards

  • Prop for Roosters is number 10 Siosiua Taukeiaho
    Prop for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
  • Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Jake Friend
    Hooker for Knights is number 9 Kurt Mann
  • Prop for Roosters is number 13 Isaac Liu
    Prop for Knights is number 15 Daniel Saifiti
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Boyd Cordner
    2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
  • 2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Sitili Tupouniua
    2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Aidan Guerra
  • Lock for Roosters is number 16 Angus Crichton
    Lock for Knights is number 10 Jacob Saifiti

Interchange

  • Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Nat Butcher
    Interchange for Knights is number 13 Herman Ese'ese
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Lindsay Collins
    Interchange for Knights is number 16 Josh King
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Sonny Bill Williams
    Interchange for Knights is number 18 Sione Mata'utia
  • Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Mitchell Aubusson
    Interchange 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

Acknowledgement of Country

Sydney Roosters respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.