Can do: Knights throw backrower into unknown territory
Scott Bailey |
Newcastle backrower Thomas Cant will start at hooker for the first time in his NRL career in the grand final, after becoming the man to replace Phoenix Crossland.
The Knights sprung a slight surprise on Sunday, with Cant named at dummy-half against the Sydney Roosters and Harrison Graham reverting to the bench.
Uncapped rookie Diesel Hagan was also named on the bench, with the young hooker a chance to become the first grand-final debutant in 90 years if he comes on.
But it would appear the Knights plan to have Cant take the sting out of the match in the No.9 role before bringing Graham on later.
Cant has played 17 games for the Knights this year, but featured in only 30 minutes of finals football when he came off the bench against South Sydney.
He has filled in at dummy-half through parts of matches before, but has also never started there in reserve grade.
Intrigue had surrounded how Newcastle would replace Crossland since the regular No.9 was suspended for the hip-drop tackle that badly injured Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary.
Meanwhile, the Roosters are as they were named on Saturday, with Benaiah Ioelu coming onto the six-man bench for Connor Watson.
Watson had been ruled out on Friday when he failed to receive clearance to play following a concussion.
AAP