Will the Newcastle Knights be put to the sword again by the Cronulla Sharks.
Start date/time: Sunday 20th April, 2025: UK – 7:05am / Local – 4:05pm / US ET – 2:05am / Saturday 19th April, US PT – 11:05am
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Foxtel / US – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – Kayo Sports / US – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
Newcastle Knights team news
There are key returnees for Head Coach Adam O’Brien and the Knights; Tyson Gamble returns at halfback, and winger James Schiller returns after missing last week with concussion. Phoenix Crossland switches from half to hooker, while Jayden Brailey moves back to the interchange. Tyson Frizell is in the front-row, with Tyrone Thompson dropping back to the bench. Mathew Croker moves from the bench into the starting side at lock.
Squad: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Thomas Cant 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Tyrone Thompson 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Brodie Jones 18. Kyle McCarthy 19. Paul Bryan 20. Jack Cogger 21. Matthew Arthur 22. Jackson Hastings
Cronulla Sharks team news
Prop forward Addin Fonua-Blake has been named to take the field despite suffering a groin injury in Round 6. He left the field in the closing stages but has been cleared. Head Coach Craig Fitzgibbon has named no further changes for the Sharks.
Squad: 1. William Kennedy 2. Samuel Stonestreet 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Mawene Hiroti 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 6. Braydon Trindall 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Blayke Brailey 10. Oregon Kaufusi 11. Briton Nikora 12. Teig Wilton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Daniel Atkinson 15. Siosifa Talakai 16. Toby Rudolf 17. Thomas Hazelton 18. Tuku Hau Tapuha 19. Jayden Berrell 20. Hohepa Puru 21. Billy Burns 22. Chris Veaila
Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks prediction
The Cronulla Sharks do not have a good overall record in Newcastle (10 wins from 30 matches); although they have won four of the past eight matches held in the Steel city. Cronulla come off the back of a solid not spectacular performance against the Sea Eagles in Perth.
The story has been much the same all season for the Newcastle Knights. They were held to just four points at home against the West Tigers after being shut out in Sydney the week before against the stifling Bulldogs defence. These two results have come off the bye before which they suffered another tough loss this time to the Titans. For the season, the Knights have scored only 46 points more than 50 points behind the second lowest scoring side!
With Gamble returning at halfback for this one, some much needed direction for the Knights may be coming, hence freeing up Kalyn Ponga to operate freely further off the ball. The Cronulla defence has gathered more toughness in recent weeks, two intercept tries last week against Manly underscored an improved showing in defending their own line.
The Knights are low on confidence and the Sharks have bounced back from their poor display against the Bulldogs. We think the Sharks can take the points in this one and knock on the door of the top eight.
Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks tip: Cronulla Sharks to win & Sam Stonestreet to score a try