The Newcastle Knights women are gearing up for a crucial clash against the Raiders at home this Sunday, 16 August, in just their second game at McDonald Jones Stadium this season.
Newcastle are coming off a disappointing loss to the Warriors in New Zealand last weekend.
While the result was unsatisfactory and leaves the red and blue languishing in seventh on the ladder, the trip was a special homecoming for Knights centre Tenika Willison, who returned to her home country.
“Obviously really gutted with our performance the Wahs [Warriors] turned up in Hamilton on the weekend, but to be home in front of my whanau, in front of my friends, and to play at my home stadium was pretty special,” Willison said.
The Knights are now looking ahead to their match with the Canberra Raiders, who are coming off a thumping 28-4 victory over the Broncos last weekend.
Willison said she’s looking forward to playing in front of the Knights faithful.
“As people know, we have a real good crowd behind us here in Newcastle, so to be home after a few games on the road, it is really special to come home and then to be a doubleheader as well with the boys.” she said.
After several weeks on the road, head coach Ben Jefferies said the squad made sure to take some extra time to rest and refresh ahead of the back end of the season.
“It probably took its toll a little bit, but it’s no excuses when you pull on our jersey, we expect a performance,” Jefferies said.
“Like I said, we’ve competed in every game; it’s about turning those small losses into wins now.”
Newcastle’s battle with the Raiders will take place during the second week of Indigenous Round, and Jefferies highlighted the importance of culture within the team.
“I’m Indigenous. I wasn’t brought up in a tradition indigenous family, so it’s more the fact that it’s acknowledging and respecting what I suppose transpired before us,” Jefferies said.
“It’s more celebration, I suppose indigenous round for me, it’s more about unity being as one.
“It’s really about embracing all cultures from my end.”
All the action gets underway at 11.50am on Sunday 16 August at McDonald Jones Stadium.
