Neds Match Preview: Round 10

Author: Michael Blok
Timestamp: Fri 14 May 2021, 12:53 PM

Wests Tigers will be looking to bring the magic when they return to Brisbane for the first of eight games at Suncorp Stadium this Magic Round.

Michael Maguire’s men will kickoff the festival of football with a Friday night clash against the Newcastle Knights.

Having already beaten the Knights in Round 3 this season, Wests Tigers will be aiming to make it two wins from two games against their Novocastrian counterparts in 2021.

Maguire has called on his players for more consistency after recording an impressive victory in Round 8 against St George Illawarra before falling to the Gold Coast Titans last weekend.

Wests Tigers have good memories from Magic Round, having dominated Penrith 30-4 at Suncorp Stadium during the first Magic Round weekend, however last year’s event was cancelled due to COVID-19.

The Knights will also be looking to repeat their Magic Round success this week, after they toppled the Bulldogs 22-10 in 2019.

Coach Adam O'Brien was dealt a late injury blow with star halfback Kalyn Ponga joining Mitchell Pearce on the sidelines. Ponga's omission sees Tex Hoy move to fullback, who played against Wests Tigers in Round 3.

LATEST TEAM NEWS

Wests Tigers: Coach Michael Maguire has revamped his spine, switching Adam Doueihi to centre and Moses Mbye five-eighth while Jacob Liddle regains the starting dummy-half role with Jake Simpkin dropping back to the extended bench. Shawn Blore and rookie halfback Jock Madden have been named on the interchange which relegates young prop Stefano Utoikamanu to the reserves. Winger Tommy Talau returns from his one-game suspension.

Newcastle Knights: 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. Starford To'a retains his place on the other wing after his late call-up to take the place of Hymel Hunt (hamstring), who returns to the side in place of Brayden Musgrove.

Round 10 - Round 10 - Friday 14 May

Full Time

Wests Tigers

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Daine Laurie

Fullback for Knights is number 20 Tex Hoy
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 David Nofoaluma

Winger for Knights is number 2 Starford To'a
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Adam Doueihi

Centre for Knights is number 3 Enari Tuala
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Joseph Leilua

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Tommy Talau

Winger for Knights is number 18 Hymel Hunt
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Moses Mbye

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kurt Mann
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Luke Brooks

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Phoenix Crossland

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 James Tamou

Prop for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Jacob Liddle

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Alex Twal

Prop for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Luke Garner

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Luciano Leilua

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Joe Ofahengaue

Lock for Knights is number 13 Mitchell Barnett

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Jock Madden

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Connor Watson
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Shawn Blore

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Alex Seyfarth

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Sauaso Sue
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Thomas Mikaele

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones