Round 3 preview: Titans v Knights

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Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 22 Mar 2025, 06:46 PM

Two of the most exciting backlines in the NRL are out to put on a show when the Titans and Knights face off on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Kalyn Ponga has been flawless throughout the opening weeks of the season and he's eager to extend Newcastle's undefeated start to the campaign at Cbus Super Stadium.

The fullback has adopted a playmaking role for the Knights and is sure to pose plenty of questions for the Titans defence.

Ponga sits atop the Dally M standings with a perfect 12 points from two matches and another starring role could see him extend that lead.

The Titans boast plenty of attacking firepower of their own and there were promising signs in last week's loss to the Bulldogs.

While the Gold Coast have had no issues with the ball in hand, the focus this week will be on tightening up their defence after they leaked 40 points last Sunday.

Round 3 - Saturday 22nd March

Full Time

Titans

Knights

Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Highlights Latest

Team News

Titans: David Fifita will start from the bench for the second-straight week with Des Hasler resisting the urge to start the strike forward as looks for an extra spark up front. Alofiana Khan-Pereira could miss up to a month with a hamstring injury and has been replaced by Tony Francis while Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui comes on to the bench for the injured Jaimin Jolliffe. No late changes.

Knights: Thomas Cant was called into the starting side 24 hours out from kick-off with Dylan Lucas out after tweaking a hamstring. Jermaine McEwen joins the bench for his NRL debut. Prop Leo Thompson has been ruled due to a knee injury in a double blow for the Knights after Kai Pearce-Paul was suspended. The duo's absence has caused a reshuffle, with Brodie Jones to start at prop and Adam Elliott at lock. Kyle McCarthy is 18th man.

Round 3 - Saturday 22nd March

Full Time

Titans

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Titans is number 1 Keano Kini

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
Winger for Titans is number 2 Tony Francis

Winger for Knights is number 2 James Schiller
Centre for Titans is number 3 Brian Kelly

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Titans is number 4 Phillip Sami

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Titans is number 5 Jojo Fifita

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 AJ Brimson

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
Halfback for Titans is number 7 Jayden Campbell

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jack Cogger

Forwards

Prop for Titans is number 8 Moeaki Fotuaika

Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
Hooker for Titans is number 9 Sam Verrills

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
Prop for Titans is number 10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard

Prop for Knights is number 10 Brodie Jones
2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Klese Haas

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Tyson Frizell
2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Beau Fermor

2nd Row for Knights is number 16 Thomas Cant
Lock for Titans is number 13 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

Interchange for Titans is number 14 Chris Randall

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey
Interchange for Titans is number 15 David Fifita

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jack Hetherington
Interchange for Titans is number 16 Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
Interchange for Titans is number 17 Brock Gray

Interchange for Knights is number 19 Jermaine McEwen

Reserves

Replacement for Titans is number 18 Jaylan De Groot

Replacement for Knights is number 18 Kyle McCarthy

Match Officials

Referee: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 05:54 am Monday 24th March 2025

Stat Attack

The Titans won only four from 11 at Cbus Super Stadium last season.
The Knights have won five of their past six games against the Titans.
Titans winger Jojo Fifita has scored eight tries in his past seven NRL games.
The Knights are aiming for three wins to start the season for the first time since 2015.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.