The Stats Zone
March 15 2023, 12:03 · Ash Wheldon

Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins – Regular Season – Preview & Prediction | NRL 2023

Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins – Regular Season – Preview & Prediction | NRL 2023
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THE FACTS

When is Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins on and what time does it start? Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins will take place on Friday 17th March, 2023 – 07:00 (UK)

Where is Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins taking place? Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins will take place at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, Australia

Where can I get tickets for Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins? Click here for ticket information on 2023 NRL matches

What channel is Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here

Where can I stream Newcastle Knights vs Dolphins? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL

THE TEAM NEWS

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

  • Newcastle Knights managed to overcome plenty of strife as they claimed their first win of the season in their clash with Wests Tigers but it came at a huge cost.
  • The Knights were able to hang on despite losing Jacob Saifiti to a red card who will now serve a five-match ban while key man Kalyn Ponga suffered yet another head knock and is ruled out through injury along with Tyson Frizell, Kurt Mann and Jayden Brailey.

Starting 13: Miller, Hunt, Gagai, Best, Young, Gamble, Hastings, D. Saifiti, Crossland, Hetherington, Jones, Fitzgibbon, Thompson – Interchanges: Rivett, Croker, Johns, Lucas – Reserves: Tuala, Marzhew, Keeley, Talty, Cant

Unavailable: Simi Sasagi (Injured), Adam Elliott (Injured), Jacob Saifiti (Suspended), Kurt Mann (Injured), Jayden Brailey (Injured), Tyson Frizell (Injured), Kalyn Ponga (Injured)

DOLPHINS

  • Many expected the Dolphins to struggle this season but they produced another astute performance to claim the win in dreadful conditions against Canberra Raiders last week.
  • Wayne Bennett’s side are now 2 from 2 in what has been an impressive start to the campaign but they have been forced into a change here with Jeremy Marshall-King copping a ban so Kodi Nikorima comes into the team at hooker.

Starting 13: Tabuai-Fidow, Isaako, Aitken, B. Lee, Niu, Katoa, O’Sullivan, J. Bromwich, Nikorima, Wallace, Kaufusi, K. Bromwich, Gilbert – Interchanges: Lemuelu, Nicholls, Stone, Donoghoe – Reserves: Teague, Faamausili, Collins, Milford, Jennings

Unavailable: Edrick Lee (Injured), Herman Ese’ese (Injured), Ray Stone (Injured), Jeremy Marshall-King (Suspended)

THE PREDICTION

Newcastle Knights produced a gusty effort to see off Wests Tigers last week as the 12-men held on to claim their opening win of the season. They now come into this clash with the Dolphins hoping to build on that success but have had to make a raft of changes to their side this week. They will field a very inexperienced team with Ryan Rivett and Dylan Lucas to debut from the bench and the Dolphins will believe they can capitalise. They have won their opening two games after getting the better of Canberra Raiders last week and they are fancied to prevail once again.