Clint Gutherson and the St George Illawarra Dragons host the Fletcher Sharpe the Newcastle Knights in a blockbuster clash at Jubilee Stadium.
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MATCH CENTRE: Dragons vs Knights teams, scores, videos, updates
Dragons recruit Nathan Lawson is set to make his NRL debut after switching codes from Rugby Sevens.
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan confirmed on Thursday that Lawson would come into the team to replace Christian Tuipulotu, who had been named to return from a hamstring injury but the team is instead going to give him an extra week to recover.
Meanwhile, Flanagan also confirmed Valentine Holmes will back up from Origin.
Superstar fullback Kalyn Ponga has declared he’s keen to play, but Knights coach Adam O’Brien isn’t ready to make a definitive call on his availability for Friday’s clash against the Dragons just 48 hours after the Origin opener.
O’Brien said he spoke to Ponga on Thursday morning and that the fullback said he is “keen to play” but the Knights coach is still weighing up his options.
Fletcher Sharpe will shift to fullback if the Knights decide to rest Ponga, with Newcastle in action again next Thursday when they host the Sea Eagles.
TEAMS
Dragons team: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Tyrell Sloan 3. Moses Suli 4. Valentine Holmes 21. Nathan Lawson 6. Lyhkan King-Togia 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Jack de Belin 9. Damien Cook 10. David Klemmer 11. Luciano Leilua 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Hamish Stewart 14. Jacob Liddle 15. Toby Couchman 16. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga 17. Blake Lawrie 19. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 22. Hame Sele
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. James Schiller 3. Dane Gagai 4. Kyle McCarthy 5. Fletcher Hunt 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Tyson Gamble 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Mathew Croker 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Jack Hetherington 16. Brodie Jones 17. Thomas Cant 18. Jack Cogger 19. Jermaine McEwen
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