NRLW Match Preview: Raiders v Knights

Coming off one of the biggest upsets in recent memory, defeating the Brisbane Broncos 28-4, Canberra will be heading into Sunday mornings showdown with a spring in their step.

Naming an unchanged team, the Raiders will continue to build confidence amongst their combinations right across the field.

Having struggled against the Knights in the past with an 0-3 record, there is no better time for Canberra to put history behind them as both teams sit equal on six competition points.

On the other side of the field, Newcastle head into round seven on the back of a 22-14 loss to the Warriors in New Zealand.

This has seen a few changes across the board for the Knights, as Jules Kirkpatrick slots into the second row along with Simone Karpani moving into the starting side at prop.

These changes see Mercedez Taulelei-Siala shift to the wing, and Amelia Pasikala move back to the bench.

Talking Points:

• The Raiders are yet to defeat the Knights, having lost their three previous encounters.
• Newcastle enter Sunday’s showdown on a four-game winning streak at McDonald Jones Stadium.
• Elise Simpson has been in red hot form when it comes to scoring tries, having crossed the line 10 times in her past 11 outings.

Last Time They Met:

The Newcastle Knights defeated the Raiders 18-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium in round five of the 2025 season.

Really excited to see all the hard work we’ve put in the first few rounds and how much better we are when we take them on.

Grace Kukutai #45

Key Matchup: Simaima Taufa v Kayla Romaniuk

McDonald Jones Stadium is set for an explosive battle in the middle this Sunday, as opposing club captains Simaima Taufa and Kayla Romaniuk go head-to-head for the round 7 key matchup.

‘Leading from the front’ is a term that is fully embodied by the Raiders captain, as the courageous lock can be consistently seen right in the middle of the action, taking tough carries and making even tougher tackles week in and week out.

Sitting 14th in the competition for post contact metres with 279 and boasting a tackle percentage of 94.8%, Taufa stands out as one of the top tier locks in the competition.

Playing in her ninth season, Taufa will be drawing upon all her experience as she is set for a showdown with Kayla Romaniuk.

Having been involved in Newcastle’s back-to-back premierships in 2022 and 2023, Romaniuk knows a thing or two about what it means to be a successful team.

Defending with a tackle efficiency of 95.5% and averaging just under 100 metres per game, Romaniuk poses as consistent threat in the middle of the field as she looks to lead the knights towards the finals once more.

With Sunday’s contest shaping up to be a blockbuster with a spot in the top six on the line, the battle between Taufa and Romaniuk could well and truly prove essential to putting either team on the front foot.

Fans should be sure to tune into this contest between two of the NRLW premier lock forwards, as Taufa and Romaniuk are set and ready to go for the round seven key matchup.