McDonald Jones Stadium will play host to Thursday's Round 1 NRL game between Newcastle Knights and Canberra Raiders. The game kicks off at 8:00 pm with heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Newcastle Knights vs. Canberra Raiders game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Thursday March 7, 2024 at 8:00 pm
Where: McDonald Jones Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders Odds
Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders Preview
Canberra Raiders’ 2024 campaign begins where their 2023 season ended: at McDonald Jones Stadium taking on a Kalyn Ponga-inspired Newcastle Knights.
The struggling Raiders’ gallant performance in that elimination final after a poor end to the regular season won plenty of admirers, while the streaking Knights were fortunate to get the 30-28 result in extra-time and were trounced by the Warriors a week later.
Canberra is tipped to spiral down the ladder in 2024 with Jack Wighton departing and spine quality looking thin.
Ethan Strange gets first crack at the five-eighth spot and Jordan Rapana will slot in at fullback with Xavier Savage on a wing.
Elliot Whitehead’s injury is a blow, which sees recruit Zac Hosking get an immediate second-row start, while Seb Kris and Corey Horsburgh are unavailable due to suspension.
Knights coach Adam O’Brien has stuck as close as possible to the team that earned him a contract extension with their late-season heroics, resisting the urge to tinker with the halves combination of Jackson Hasting and Tyson Gamble, with Penrith premiership-winner Jack Cogger named in the No.14.
Enari Tuala grabs Dom Young’s wing spot and English recruit Kai Pearce-Paul is on the bench. Another injury to co-captain Jayden Brailey allows Phoenix Crossland to remain at hooker, where he was a breakout performer in 2023.
The Knights also won both regular-season encounters with the Green Machine in 2023 – 24-14 in Canberra and 28-6 at home.
Canberra made a habit in 2023 of winning tight ones or losing big.
There’s considerable pressure on the Knights to back up what they did in the second half of last season, but if Ponga and a rampaging three-quarter line can hit the ground running it shapes as a torrid start to the year for the visitors.
Content provided by Neds
Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders Tip
Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders Teams
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jack Cogger 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Kai Pearce-Paul 18. Jed Cartwright 19. Thomas Jenkins 20. Will Pryce 21. Brodie Jones 22. Thomas Cant
Raiders team: 1. Jordan Rapana 2. Nick Cotric 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Albert Hopoate 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Danny Levi 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Zac Hosking 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Ata Mariota 17. Pasami Saulo 18. Kaeo Weekes 19. Simi Sasagi 20. Zac Woolford 21. James Schiller 22. Trey Mooney
