Adam O’Brien finally has something to smile about.
Following a couple of tough months, the Newcastle Knights coach can call upon some big names again, in an attempt to get the club’s season back on track.
Although the side will miss gun centre Bradman Best for up to eight weeks with an ankle injury, stars Mitchell Pearce, Kalyn Ponga, Hymel Hunt and David Klemmer were named in the 21-man squad for the NRL’s Beanie for Brain Cancer round against the New Zealand Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday 19 June.
Pearce is expected to partner mid-season recruit Jake Clifford in the halves, while Ponga replaces Tex Hoy at fullback and Hunt lines up on the wing.
Klemmer, back from suspension, was announced on the bench with the Saifiti brothers, Daniel and Jacob, taking their places as the starting front-rowers.
Mitch Barnett, who was found guilty by the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night, received a fine and is free to play.
Josh King, Mat Croker and Hoy shift to the reserves.
“Chuck those four in – Pearce, Ponga, Hunt and Klemmer, they are going to help,” O’Brien said.
“I saw Junior (Mitch) pass to Kalyn at training for the first time this year last week.
“They looked good together, so it’s exciting.
“They will naturally help us find some points and help take a bit of pressure off our defence.”
The Knights, who suffered a 24-10 loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs in their previous outing, sit only two points outside the top eight.
But, a victory at home – on a day the Hunter-based organisation supports one of its own, Mark Hughes, and his foundation’s Beanie for Brain Cancer campaign – is particularly important.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS V WARRIORS
Date: Saturday 19 June
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
Gates open: 1.30pm
Kick-off: 3pm
TEAMS
Newcastle Knights (coach: Adam O’Brien): 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Dom Young, 3. Kurt Mann, 4. Enari Tuala, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Jayden Brailey (c), 10. Daniel Saifiti (c), 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12. Brodie Jones, 13. Mitchell Barnett; interchange: 14. Connor Watson, 15. David Klemmer, 16. Sauaso Sue, 17. Jack Johns; extended Bench: 18. Josh King, 19. Mat Croker, 20. Brayden Musgrove, 21. Tex Hoy
New Zealand Warriors (coach: Nathan Brown): 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Marcelo Montoya, 3. Rocco Berry, 4. Euan Aitken, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Sean O’Sullivan, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Jazz Tevaga, 10. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 11. Bayley Sironen, 12. Tohu Harris, 13. Josh Curran; interchange: 14. Eliesa Katoa, 15. Leeson Ah Mau, 16. Bunty Afoa, 17. Kane Evans; extended Bench: 18. Edward Kosi, 20. Jack Murchie, 21. Adam Pompey, 23. Taniela Otukolo
