2020 Newcastle Knights season

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2020 Newcastle Knights season
NRL Rank7th
Play-off resultElimination Finalists (Week 1)
2020 recordWins: 11; draws: 1; losses: 8
Points scoredFor: 421; against: 374
Team information
CEOPhil Gardner
CoachAdam O'Brien
Captain
StadiumMcDonald Jones Stadium
Avg. attendance4,614
High attendance10,239
Top scorers
TriesEnari Tuala (11)
GoalsKalyn Ponga (46)
PointsKalyn Ponga (132)
← 2019 2021 →

The 2020 Newcastle Knights season was the 33rd in the club's history. Coached by Adam O'Brien and captained by Mitchell Pearce, they competed in the NRL's 2020 Telstra Premiership. On 23 March, the NRL announced that the season would be suspended after round 2, until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] The NRL returned on 28 May with a new draw,[2] the Knights' round 3 game coming on 31 May against the Penrith Panthers.[3] The Knights finished the regular season in 7th place (out of 16), thus reaching the finals but were knocked out after losing to the South Sydney Rabbitohs in week 1.

Squad[edit]

2020 NRL premiership (Top 30) squad Development players Coaching staff

Extended squad players

Head coach

Assistant coaches


Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)

Updated: 4 August 2020
Source(s): Newcastle Knights Profiles,
Rugby League Project


Transfers and Re-signings[edit]

Gains[edit]

Player/Coach Previous Club Length
Adam Bettridge (Jersey Flegg Cup coach) Macquarie Scorpions 2020
Jayden Brailey Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 2022
Matt Cooper Eastern Suburbs Tigers 2020
David Furner (assistant coach) Leeds Rhinos 2022
Blake Green New Zealand Warriors 2020
Andrew McCullough Brisbane Broncos 2020
Adam O'Brien (head coach) Sydney Roosters 2022
Willie Peters (assistant coach) South Sydney Rabbitohs 2020
Tyronne Roberts-Davis Burleigh Bears 2020
Gehamat Shibasaki Brisbane Broncos 2022
Matt Soper-Lawler Souths Logan Magpies 2020
Enari Tuala North Queensland Cowboys 2020

Losses[edit]

Player/Coach Club
Mitch Andrews Contract terminated
Nathan Brown (head coach) Contract terminated
Jamie Buhrer Retirement
Kiah Cooper Western Suburbs Rosellas
Sale Finau Sunbury United Rugby League
Jacob Gagai South Sydney Rabbitohs
James Gavet Huddersfield Giants
Slade Griffin Retirement
Shaun Kenny-Dowall Hull Kingston Rovers
Brayden Musgrove Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Jesse Ramien Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Nathan Ross Retirement
James Shepherd (assistant coach) St. George Illawarra Dragons
Sam Stone Gold Coast Titans
Kristian Woolf (assistant coach & interim head coach) St Helens R.F.C.
Zac Woolford Newtown Jets

[edit]

Player Junior side
Mitch Black Knights Jersey Flegg Cup
Jack Cameron Knights Jersey Flegg Cup
Zac Hosking Knights Canterbury Cup NSW
Dylan Lucas Knights Jersey Flegg Cup
Toby Marks Knights Jersey Flegg Cup
Brandon Russell Knights Jersey Flegg Cup
Bayden Searle Knights Jersey Flegg Cup

Change of role[edit]

Player/Coach New role
Scott Dureau (Jersey Flegg Cup coach) Knights junior development
Tony Gleeson (Knights JFC assistant coach) Knights Jersey Flegg Cup coach
Rory Kostjasyn (Canterbury Cup NSW coach) Knights development coach

Re-signings[edit]

Player/Coach Re-signed to
Mitchell Barnett 2023
Blake Green 2021
Hymel Hunt 2021
Brodie Jones 2021
Josh King 2021
Christian Ma'anaima 2023
Jirah Momoisea 2022
Kalyn Ponga 2024
Chris Randall 2021
Daniel Saifiti 2022
Jacob Saifiti 2022
Simi Sasagi 2022
Pasami Saulo 2022
Enari Tuala 2021
Connor Watson 2021

Player contract situations[edit]

2020 (left) 2021 2022 2023 2024
Jack Cameron[4] Mitch Black[5] Bradman Best[6] Mitchell Barnett[7] Kalyn Ponga[8]
Matt Cooper[9] Mat Croker[10] Jayden Brailey[11] David Klemmer[12]
Herman Ese'ese[13] Phoenix Crossland[6] Jirah Momoisea[14]
Beau Fermor[15] Lachlan Fitzgibbon[16] Daniel Saifiti[17]
Tim Glasby[18] Blake Green[19] Jacob Saifiti[20]
Aidan Guerra[21] Zac Hosking[5] Simi Sasagi[22]
Danny Levi[23] Tex Hoy[24] Pasami Saulo[25]
Mason Lino[26] Hymel Hunt[27] Gehamat Shibasaki[28]
Toby Marks[29] Luke Huth[5]
Sione Mata'utia[30] Brodie Jones[22]
Andrew McCullough[31] Josh King[32]
Tautau Moga[33] Edrick Lee[34]
Tyronne Roberts-Davis[35] Dylan Lucas[36]
Brandon Russell[37] Kurt Mann[38]
Bayden Searle[39] Mitchell Pearce[40]
Chris Randall[41]
Matt Soper-Lawler[5]
Starford To'a[42]
Enari Tuala[43]
Connor Watson[44]

Ladder[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 Penrith Panthers 20 18 1 1 0 537 238 +299 37
2 Melbourne Storm (P) 20 16 0 4 0 534 276 +258 32
3 Parramatta Eels 20 15 0 5 0 392 288 +104 30
4 Sydney Roosters 20 14 0 6 0 552 322 +230 28
5 Canberra Raiders 20 14 0 6 0 445 317 +128 28
6 South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 12 0 8 0 521 352 +169 24
7 Newcastle Knights 20 11 1 8 0 421 374 +47 23
8 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 20 10 0 10 0 480 480 0 20
9 Gold Coast Titans 20 9 0 11 0 346 463 −117 18
10 New Zealand Warriors 20 8 0 12 0 343 458 −115 16
11 Wests Tigers 20 7 0 13 0 440 505 −65 14
12 St. George Illawarra Dragons 20 7 0 13 0 378 452 −74 14
13 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 20 7 0 13 0 375 509 −134 14
14 North Queensland Cowboys 20 5 0 15 0 368 520 −152 10
15 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 20 3 0 17 0 282 504 −222 6
16 Brisbane Broncos 20 3 0 17 0 268 624 −356 6

Milestones[edit]

Jerseys and sponsors[edit]

In 2020, the Knights' jerseys were made by O'Neills and their major sponsor was nib Health Funds.

2020 Home Jersey 2020 Away Jersey 2020 Indigenous Jersey 2020 NSW Mining Jersey

Fixtures[edit]

NRL Nines[edit]

Squad: 1. Kurt Gidley 2. Jirah Momoisea 3. Hymel Hunt 4. Brodie Jones 5. Gehamat Shibasaki 6. Aidan Guerra (c) 7. Starford To'a 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Pasami Saulo 10. Kurt Mann (c) 11. Tyronne Roberts-Davis 12. Mason Lino 13. Sione Mata'utia 14. Mitchell Barnett 15. Bayden Searle 16. Tex Hoy 17. Simi Sasagi 18. Matt Soper-Lawler

Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Drop Goal Conversions Attendance
Friday, 14 February Round 1 New Zealand Warriors HBF Park 34–0 M.Lino, S.Mata'utia, T.Hoy, M.Soper-Lawler M.Lino (4/4)
Saturday, 15 February Round 2 Penrith Panthers HBF Park 16–4 S.Sasagi, J.Saifiti, T.Hoy M.Lino (2/3)
Saturday, 15 February Quarter Finals Parramatta Eels HBF Park 7–14 T.Hoy T.Roberts-Davis (1/1)
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw

Pre-season Trials[edit]

Date Opponent Venue Score Tries Conversions Attendance
Saturday, 22 February St. George Illawarra Dragons Maitland Sportsground 12–38 C.Randall, L.Huth M.Lino (1) T.Hoy (1)
Saturday, 29 February Sydney Roosters Central Coast Stadium 58–0 M.Barnett, J.Brailey, K.Ponga, G.Shibasaki, H.Hunt, L.Fitzgibbon, C.Watson, S.Sasagi, T.Hoy, M.Barnett K.Ponga (3), M.Lino (6)
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw

Regular season[edit]

Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Conversions/Penalty Attendance
Saturday 14 March Round 1 New Zealand Warriors Mcdonald Jones Stadium 20–0 D.Saifiti, E.Lee, K.Ponga K.Ponga (4/5) 10,239
Sunday 22 March Round 2 Wests Tigers Leichhardt Oval 42–24 E.Tuala (2), M.Barnett, K.Mann, E.Lee, K.Ponga, M.Pearce, C.Watson K.Ponga (5/9) 0 (closed event)
Saturday 28 March Round 3 (Suspended)** Cronulla Sharks Netstrata Jubilee Stadium Suspended
Friday 3 April Round 4 (Suspended)** North Queensland Cowboys Mcdonald Jones Stadium Suspended
Thursday 9 April Round 5 (Suspended)** Manly Sea Eagles Lottoland Suspended
Saturday 18 April Round 6 (Suspended)** Canberra Raiders McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga GIO Stadium* Suspended
Sunday 26 April Round 7 (Suspended)** Penrith Panthers Mcdonald Jones Stadium Suspended
Saturday 2 May Round 8 (Suspended)** South Sydney Rabbitohs Suncorp Stadium Suspended
Saturday 9 May Round 9 (Suspended)** St. George Illawarra Dragons Mcdonald Jones Stadium Suspended
Thursday 14 May Round 10 (Suspended)** Sydney Roosters Sydney Cricket Ground Suspended
Sunday 24 May Round 11 (Suspended)** Cronulla Sharks Mcdonald Jones Stadium Suspended
Saturday 30 May Round 12 (Suspended)** South Sydney Rabbitohs Mcdonald Jones Stadium Suspended
Sunday 7 June Round 13 (Suspended)** Penrith Panthers Panthers Stadium Suspended
Saturday 13 June Round 14 (Suspended)** Melbourne Storm Mcdonald Jones Stadium Suspended
Sunday 28 June Round 15 (Suspended)** Gold Coast Titans Mcdonald Jones Stadium Suspended
Round 16 (Suspended)** Bye
Sunday 12 July Round 17 (Suspended)** North Queensland Cowboys Queensland Country Bank Stadium Suspended
Sunday 19 July Round 18 (Suspended)** Brisbane Broncos Mcdonald Jones Stadium Suspended
Sunday 26 July Round 19 (Suspended)** Wests Tigers Mcdonald Jones Stadium Suspended
Saturday 1 August Round 20 (Suspended)** Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs Bankwest Stadium Suspended
Sunday 9 August Round 21 (Suspended)** New Zealand Warriors Mt Smart Stadium Suspended
Saturday 15 August Round 22 (Suspended)** Manly Sea Eagles Mcdonald Jones Stadium Suspended
Saturday 22 August Round 23 (Suspended)** Brisbane Broncos Suncorp Stadium Suspended
Friday 28 August Round 24 (Suspended)** Parramatta Eels Bankwest Stadium Suspended
Sunday 6 September Round 25 (Suspended)** Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs Mcdonald Jones Stadium Suspended
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw   Suspended
  • From Round 2 the NRL announced matches would be played behind closed doors until further notice due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation[45]
  • * Match relocated to Canberra due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation[46]
  • ** Season suspended from Round 3 until further notice due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) situation[47]

Updated Regular Season - 21 May 2020[edit]

[48]

Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Conversions/Penalty Attendance
Saturday 14 March Round 1 New Zealand Warriors Mcdonald Jones Stadium 20–0 D.Saifiti, E.Lee, K.Ponga K.Ponga (4/5) 10,239
Sunday 22 March Round 2 Wests Tigers Leichhardt Oval 42–24 E.Tuala (2), M.Barnett, K.Mann, E.Lee, K.Ponga, M.Pearce, C.Watson K.Ponga (5/9) 0 (closed event)
- - - - - Season Suspended due to COVID-19 Pandemic - -
Sunday 31 May Round 3 Penrith Panthers Campbelltown Stadium 14–14 J.Saifiti, B.Best (2) T.Hoy (1/3) 0 (closed event)
Sunday 7 June Round 4 Canberra Raiders Campbelltown Stadium 34–18 B.Best (2), K.Ponga, E.Lee (2), E.Tuala K.Ponga (4/5), T.Hoy (1/1) 0 (closed event)
Saturday 13 June Round 5 Melbourne Storm Central Coast Stadium 12–26 B.Best, E.Lee K.Ponga (2/3) Not Counted
Thursday 18 June Round 6 Brisbane Broncos Central Coast Stadium 27–6 K.Mann, H.Hunt, D.Saifiti, M.Pearce K.Ponga (5/5), M.Pearce (1/1 Field Goal) 167 *Restricted Capacity
Saturday 27 June Round 7 North Queensland Cowboys Queensland Country Bank Stadium 32–20 T.Hoy, H.Hunt, K.Mann, G.Shibasaki K.Ponga (2/4) 1,853 *Restricted Capacity
Sunday 5 July Round 8 Manly Sea Eagles Central Coast Stadium Lottoland 14–12 A.McCullough, K.Mann K.Ponga (3/3) 2,271 *Restricted Capacity
Sunday 12 July Round 9 Parramatta Eels Central Coast Stadium Mcdonald Jones Stadium 10–3 A.McCullough K.Ponga (0/1) 6,980 *Restricted Capacity
Saturday 18 July Round 10 South Sydney Rabbitohs Bankwest Stadium 20–18 E.Tuala, K.Mann, K.Ponga, B.Best K.Ponga (2/5) 4,249 *Restricted Capacity
Sunday 26 July Round 11 Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs Mcdonald Jones Stadium 12–18 H.Hunt, S.Mata'utia K.Ponga (2/2) 3,521 *Restricted Capacity
Sunday 2 August Round 12 Melbourne Storm Suncorp Stadium Sunshine Coast Stadium 16–26 B.Best, A.Guerra, E.Tuala K.Ponga (2/3) 5,437 *Restricted Capacity
Saturday 8 August Round 13 Wests Tigers Mcdonald Jones Stadium 44–3 K.Ponga (2), H.Hunt, S.To'a, J.Saifiti, H.Ese'ese, G.Shibasaki, P.Crossland K.Ponga (6/9) 2,952* Restricted Capacity
Sunday 16 August Round 14 Manly Sea Eagles Mcdonald Jones Stadium 26–24 S.To'a, K.Mann, E.Tuala (2), H.Hunt K.Ponga (3/5) * Restricted Capacity
Sunday 23 August Round 15 North Queensland Cowboys Mcdonald Jones Stadium 12–0 H.Hunt, E.Tuala K.Ponga (2/5) 5,304* Restricted Capacity
Saturday 29 August Round 16 New Zealand Warriors Scully Park 36–6 G.Shibasaki K.Ponga (1/1) * Restricted Capacity
Friday 4 September Round 17 Cronulla Sharks Mcdonald Jones Stadium 38–10 S.To'a (2), K.Ponga (3), L.Fitzgibbon, J.King K.Ponga (0/2), M.Lino (5/6) 5,597* Restricted Capacity
Saturday 12 September Round 18 Sydney Roosters Sydney Cricket Ground 42–12 E.Tuala, G.Shibasaki M.Lino (2/2) * Restricted Capacity
Sunday 20 September Round 19 St. George Illawarra Dragons Mcdonald Jones Stadium 42–18 K.Ponga, G.Shibasaki, A.Guerra, D.Saifiti, E.Tuala (2), J.Saifiti M.Lino (2/2) 6,659* Restricted Capacity
Friday 25 September Round 20 Gold Coast Titans Cbus Super Stadium 36–6 E.Lee M.Lino (1/1) 9,877* Restricted Capacity
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw

Finals series[edit]

Home Score Away Match Information
Date and Time (Local) Venue Referees Crowd
QUALIFYING & ELIMINATION FINALS
South Sydney Rabbitohs 46–20 Newcastle Knights 4 October 2020, 4:05 pm ANZ Stadium B.Cummins 17,212* Restricted Capacity



Statistics[edit]

Name Appearances Tries Goals Field Goals Points Captain Age
Mitchell Barnett 13 1 0 0 4 0 26
Bradman Best 11 8 0 0 32 0 19
Jayden Brailey 2 0 0 0 0 0 24
Phoenix Crossland 6 1 0 0 4 0 20
Herman Ese'ese 21 1 0 0 4 0 26
Lachlan Fitzgibbon 17 1 0 0 4 0 26
Tim Glasby 7 0 0 0 0 0 31
Blake Green 3 0 0 0 0 0 34
Aidan Guerra 21 2 1 0 10 0 32
Tex Hoy 9 1 2 0 8 0 21
Hymel Hunt 20 8 0 0 32 0 27
Brodie Jones 7 0 0 0 0 0 22
Josh King 7 1 0 0 4 0 25
David Klemmer 21 0 0 0 0 0 27
Edrick Lee 11 6 0 0 24 0 28
Mason Lino 5 0 15 0 30 0 26
Kurt Mann 20 6 0 0 24 0 27
Sione Mata'utia 12 1 0 0 4 0 24
Andrew McCullough 8 2 0 0 8 0 30
Tautau Moga 4 0 0 0 0 0 27
Mitchell Pearce 21 2 0 1 9 21 31
Kalyn Ponga 19 10 46 0 132 0 22
Chris Randall 7 0 0 0 0 0 25
Daniel Saifiti 14 3 0 0 12 0 24
Jacob Saifiti 21 3 0 0 12 0 24
Pasami Saulo 7 0 0 0 0 0 22
Gehamat Shibasaki 11 5 0 0 20 0 22
Starford To'a 7 4 0 0 16 0 20
Enari Tuala 20 11 0 0 44 0 22
Connor Watson 5 1 0 0 4 0 24
Totals 21 78 64 1 441 Average: 25

30 players used.

Source:[49]

Representative honours[edit]

The following players appeared in a representative match or were named in a representative squad in 2020.

Indigenous All Stars

Māori All Stars

New South Wales extended 64-man squad

New South Wales

Queensland

Individual honours[edit]

Newcastle Knights awards[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "NRL announces suspension of 2020 season due to coronavirus pandemic". ABC News. March 23, 2020.
  2. ^ "Back on deck: Players set to train when details land next week". National Rugby League. May 1, 2020.
  3. ^ "LIVE NRL: Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights: Round 3 blog, Scores, Updates, Supercoach, video". May 31, 2020.
  4. ^ Bode, Mark (December 2, 2020). "Cameron to share love nest with his beautiful dancer girlfriend after joining Rabbitohs". The Northern Daily Leader.
  5. ^ a b c d "Knights v Cessnock trial team list". Newcastle Knights. February 16, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Knights re-sign three bright prospects". Newcastle Knights. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  7. ^ "Mitch Barnett extends NRL contract". Newcastle Knights. December 18, 2019.
  8. ^ "Kalyn Ponga secures Knights NRL future". Newcastle Knights. June 16, 2020.
  9. ^ "Seagulls, Knights' bond paying dividends". May 20, 2021.
  10. ^ "Knights v Storm NRL trial team list". Newcastle Knights. February 23, 2021.
  11. ^ "Jayden Brailey to join Knights in 2020". Newcastle Knights. 31 July 2019.
  12. ^ "Knights secure Origin and Test enforcer Klemmer". 26 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  13. ^ "HERMAN HEADED TO THE TITANS". Gold Coast Titans. July 13, 2020.
  14. ^ "Promising youngster Momoisea extends NRL deal". Newcastle Knights. January 28, 2020.
  15. ^ TOOHEY, BARRY (January 28, 2020). "Boom Knights backrower quits club to link with Gold Coast Titans". Newcastle Herald.
  16. ^ "Knights re-sign Fitzgibbon". Zero Tackle. 5 November 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  17. ^ "NSW Origin prop Daniel Saifiti inks new deal". Newcastle Knights. November 11, 2019.
  18. ^ "Glasby retires: Epitome of hard worker hangs up boots". National Rugby League. September 20, 2020.
  19. ^ "Green remains a Knight in 2021". Newcastle Knights. November 9, 2020.
  20. ^ "Jacob Saifiti re-signs with Knights". Newcastle Knights. July 21, 2020.
  21. ^ "Guerra retires: Knights veteran hanging up boots at season's end". National Rugby League. September 10, 2020.
  22. ^ a b "2021 Signings Tracker: Mata'utia off to Saints; Montoya joins Warriors". National Rugby League. November 11, 2020.
  23. ^ "Danny Levi granted release from NRL contract". Newcastle Knights. January 21, 2020.
  24. ^ "Tex Hoy promoted to Knights Top 30 NRL squad". Newcastle Knights. February 29, 2020.
  25. ^ "Forward Saulo extends NRL contract". Newcastle Knights. January 29, 2020.
  26. ^ Toohey, Barry (24 November 2020). "Ex-Knight Mason Lino signs with Wakefield in English Super League". Newcastle Herald.
  27. ^ "Hymel Hunt inks new Knights deal". Newcastle Knights. November 4, 2019.
  28. ^ "Gehamat Shibasaki signs with Newcastle Knights". Newcastle Knights. December 5, 2019.
  29. ^ "Jersey Flegg Training Squad". Canberra Raiders. November 13, 2020.
  30. ^ "Sione Mata'utia granted immediate release". Newcastle Knights. November 11, 2020.
  31. ^ "Blake Green joins Knights effective immediately". Newcastle Knights. August 4, 2020.
  32. ^ "Josh King signs new Knights deal". Newcastle Knights. November 18, 2020.
  33. ^ DILLON, ROBERT (November 3, 2020). "O'Brien hopes Moga rebounds with Rabbits after release from Knights". Newcastle Herald.
  34. ^ "Knights add Lee". Zero Tackle. 25 June 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  35. ^ Harper, Lachlan (February 19, 2021). "Roberts-Davis named in Wests Tigers squad for NRL trial match". The Macleay Argus.
  36. ^ Callinan, Josh (December 3, 2020). "Former Newcastle Knights forward Matt Kennedy to coach Souths in 2021". Newcastle Herald.
  37. ^ "Brandon Russell". Queensland Rugby League.
  38. ^ Moorhead, Joseph (9 December 2018). "Knights slay the Dragons in Kurt Mann poaching". Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  39. ^ Callinan, Josh (January 1, 2021). "Newcastle Rugby League: Bayden Searle signs with Macquarie Scorpions for 2021". Newcastle Herald.
  40. ^ "Newcastle Knights sign Mitchell Pearce". Zero Tackle. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  41. ^ Toohey, Barry (November 21, 2020). "TOOHEY'S NEWS: New Knights teenage signing earns Ponga comparison". Newcastle Herald.
  42. ^ "Exciting back Starford To'a awarded new deal". Newcastle Knights. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
  43. ^ "Enari Tuala re-signs with Newcastle Knights". Newcastle Knights. March 2, 2020.
  44. ^ "Connor Watson re-signs with the Knights". Newcastle Knights. October 16, 2020.
  45. ^ "NRL measures for 2020 season". National Rugby League. March 13, 2020.
  46. ^ "Wagga Wagga match moved back to Canberra". Canberra Raiders. March 17, 2020.
  47. ^ "NRL suspends competition due to coronavirus pandemic". National Rugby League. March 23, 2020.
  48. ^ "NRL Telstra Premiership draw". National Rugby League. May 21, 2020.
  49. ^ "NRL 2020 - Newcastle Knights". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 16 March 2019.