Campbelltown Sports Stadium will play host to Friday's Round 1 NRL game between Wests Tigers and Newcastle Knights. The game kicks off at 6:00 pm with Newcastle Knights heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Wests Tigers vs. Newcastle Knights game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Friday March 7, 2025 at 6:00 pm
Where: Campbelltown Sports Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights Odds
Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights Preview
It’s time for Wests Tigers to deliver on the field after spending up large and spruiking the dawn of a new era.
The reality is the Tigers are three-time wooden spooners with some fairly glaring roster holes – but they get an immediate opportunity to impress at Campbelltown against a Newcastle side that has, despite some low points, made the finals in four of the past five seasons.
New halfback Jarome Luai captains the Tigers with Api Koroisau suspended. Tallyn Da Silva deputises at hooker, while Heath Mason comes in at fullback with Jahream Bula sidelined. Sunia Turuva, Terrell May, Jeral Skelton and, from the bench, Jack Bird and Royce Hunt, are set for club debuts.
The centres (with Justin Olam and Brent Naden sidelined) and middle forward contingent still look light in Benji Marshall’s squad, however.
The Knights produced another late-season charge to scrape into the playoffs in 2024 and were gallant in qualifying final defeat in Townsville.
The over-reliance on brilliant fullback Kalyn Ponga doesn’t look like easing anytime soon with the playmaking cattle at Adam O’Brien’s disposal, but he does have a well-rounded pack and a blue-chip centre pairing in Bradman Best and Dane Gagai to call upon.
Ex-winger Fletcher Sharpe has won the race for the Knights’ No.6, which sees Canberra recruit James Schiller grab a spot on the flank. Jack Cogger is at halfback and Phoenix Crossland hooker with Jayden Brailey on the bench. Tyson Frizell is at lock and Adam Elliott misses out.
The Knights are on a six-match winning streak against the Tigers, including wins in Tamworth (20-14) and Newcastle (34-18) in 2024.
The Tigers recorded wins over Canberra and Souths at Campbelltown after losing their previous 10 games at the ground, but they conceded 60 points to Parramatta there in the final round.
Luai’s arrival is counteracted initially somewhat by the absence of Koroisau and Bula for a Tigers side that hasn’t won in Round 1 since 2020, with the comparatively stable Knights shaping as a safer option as only a narrow favourite.
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Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights Tip
We're tipping Newcastle Knights to win at $1.72 odds.
Wests Tigers vs Newcastle Knights Teams
Tigers team: 1. Heath Mason 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Solomona Faataape 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Lachlan Galvin 7. Jarome Luai 8. Terrell May 9. Tallyn Da Silva 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 14. Tristan Hope 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu 18. Latu Fainu 19. Charlie Staines 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Tony Sukkar 22. Reuben Porter
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Tyson Frizell 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Brodie Jones 17. Mathew Croker 18. Thomas Cant 19. Will Pryce 20. Logan Aoake 21. Jackson Hastings 22. Adam Elliott
