GIO Stadium will play host to Sunday's Round 18 NRL game between Canberra Raiders and Newcastle Knights. The game kicks off at 4:05 pm with Newcastle Knights heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Canberra Raiders vs. Newcastle Knights game and give you our free tips and bets.
When: Sunday July 7, 2024 at 4:05 pm
Where: GIO Stadium
Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE
Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights Odds
Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights Preview
Canberra went some way towards digging its way out of a form hole last week but remain on a three-match losing streak and confront a horror run at its GIO Stadium fortress as Newcastle arrives in the capital.
The rivals are tied for 10th with 7-8 records, underlining whats at stake in this one.
The Raiders were awful in consecutive losses to the Cowboys (34-16) and Tigers (48-24), but showed some trademark spirit in a 16-6 defeat in Melbourne last Saturday the least points they have conceded since Round 5.
Kaeo Weekes will start at fullback, Adam Cook at halfback, Albert Hopoate in the centres and Jordan Rapana on the wing and Simi Sasagi returns on the bench.
The Knights halted a three-game slide with a fast-finishing 34-26 win over Parramatta last weekend.
The debut of English five-eighth Will Pryce was another plus, though it should be noted their last two tries came from Bradman Best runaways via Eels errors, to say they are back would be premature.
A huge in for the Knights with Kalyn Ponga to play for the first time since Round 7, while Kiwis prop Leo Thompson a late withdrawal last week is set to play, along with Dylan Lucas (hamstring).
Phoenix Crossland (concussion) is out, while fullback Fletcher Sharpe will come off the bench.
The Raiders snapped a three-match losing run against the Knights with a surprise 28-12 result in Newcastle in Round 1 this year.
The Knights prevailed 28-6 in Canberra late last season during their late rally to the finals, where they beat the Raiders in golden point at home.
The Raiders have leaked 118 points in losing their last three at home, while the Knights are looking to improve on a 3-4 away record in 2024.
Despite the Ponga factor, the Raiders are difficult to pass up as a home underdog against a team that has proven equally unreliable.
Content provided by Ladbrokes
Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights Tip
We're tipping Newcastle Knights to win at $1.62 odds.
Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights Teams
Raiders team: 1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jordan Rapana 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Albert Hopoate 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Adam Cook 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Morgan Smithies 14. Danny Levi 15. Ata Mariota 16. Trey Mooney 17. Simi Sasagi 18. Sebastian Kris 19. Zac Woolford 20. Emre Guler 21. James Schiller 22. Hohepa Puru
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Will Pryce 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Fletcher Sharpe 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Brodie Jones 17. Dylan Lucas 18. Mathew Croker 19. Jack Hetherington 20. Jack Cogger 21. Krystian Mapapalangi 22. Thomas Cant
