The Jarome Luai era begins as the Wests Tigers host Kalyn Ponga and the Newcastle Knights in a blockbuster clash at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Watch your team in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership. Stream every round LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.
MATCH CENTRE: Tigers vs Knights teams, scores, videos, updates
Tristan Hope starts at hooker, with Tallyn Da Silva switching to the bench, while the Knights are 1-17.
Jarome Luai makes his first Tigers appearance and has been named captain in the absence of Api Koroisau due to suspension.
Heath Mason gets the nod at fullback with Jahream Bula still not fully fit after battling an appendix issue.
Sunia Turuva is another who makes his club debut, alongside Jack Bird and Royce Hunt who have both been named on the bench.
Terrell May, meanwhile, leads the forward pack starting in the front row on his club debut.
Tristan Hope has been named on the pine to make his NRL debut, having been plucked from the Queensland Cup.
For the Knights it’s been one of the most talked about selection decisions leading into Round 1, and Fletcher Sharpe and Jack Cogger partner in the halves under Adam O’Brien.
Jayden Brailey has been named on the bench, with Phoenix Crossland the man to start in the No.9 jersey.
Kai Pearce-Paul and Dylan Lucas share back row duties, while Tyson Frizell has been named at lock.
Adam Elliott has been surprisingly left out of the run-on 17, having lost his lock position.
Jackson Hastings has also been named on the extended bench, while Tyson Gamble hasn’t been included.
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 14. Tristan Hope 10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Alex Seyfarth 13. Alex Twal 9. Tallyn Da Silva 15. Royce Hunt 16. Jack Bird 17. Sione Fainu. 18th man: 18. Latu Fainu
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. 18th man: 18. Thomas Cant
FOLLOW THE ACTION IN OUR LIVE BLOG BELOW. CAN’T SEE IT? CLICK HERE.
Discussion about this post