The 2015 Newcastle Knights season was the 28th in the club's history. Coached by Rick Stone, interim coached by Danny Buderus after Stone's contract was terminated, and captained by Kurt Gidley, they competed in the NRL's 2015 Telstra Premiership, finishing the regular season in 16th place (out of 16).
Milestones Round 1: James McManus played his 150th for the club, which was also his 150th career game. Round 1: Tyler Randell scored his 1st career try and kicked his 1st career goal. Round 1: Beau Scott captained his 1st game for the club. Round 1: Jack Stockwell made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the St. George Illawarra Dragons. Round 2: Akuila Uate scored his 57th try at Hunter Stadium, breaking Adam MacDougall's record of 56 tries as the highest ever try-scorer at Hunter Stadium. Round 3: Chris Houston scored his 100th point for the club, which was also his 100th career point. Round 5: Tariq Sims made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the North Queensland Cowboys. Round 6: Akuila Uate scored his 100th career try, which was also his 100th for the club, becoming the 1st Knight to do so. Round 7: Dane Gagai scored his 100th career point. Round 7: Kurt Gidley captained his 107th game for the club, breaking Andrew Johns' record of 106 games for most appearances as captain for the Knights. Round 9: Joseph Leilua played his 50th game for the club. Round 9: Tariq Sims scored his 1st try for the club. Round 10: David Fa'alogo played his 50th game for the club. Round 10: Chad Redman made his NRL debut for the club and scored his 1st career try. Round 12: Chris Houston played his 150th game for the club. Round 12: Sam Mataora made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the Canberra Raiders. Round 12: Carlos Tuimavave made his debut for the club, after previously playing for the New Zealand Warriors. Round 13: Joseph Leilua scored his 50th career try. Round 15: Danny Levi made his NRL debut for the club. Round 15: Carlos Tuimavave scored his 1st try for the club. Round 16: Dane Gagai scored his 100th point for the club. Round 16: Danny Levi scored his 1st career try. Round 20: Jeremy Smith played his 50th game for the club. Round 21: Lachlan Fitzgibbon made his NRL debut for the club. Round 21: Nathan Ross made his NRL debut for the club and scored his 1st career try. Round 21: Beau Scott played his 50th game for the club. Round 22: Korbin Sims played his 50th game for the club, which was also his 50th career game. Round 22: Joseph Tapine scored his 1st career try. Round 24: Tyrone Roberts scored his 400th point for the club, which was also his 400th career point. Round 25: Kurt Gidley played his 250th game for the club, which was also his 250th career game. Round 25: Akuila Uate played his 150th game for the club, which was also his 150th career game. Round 26: Beau Scott played his 200th career game.
Squad
Transfers and Re-signings
Gains Player/Coach Previous club LengthJake FinnWestern Suburbs Rosellas2015Jacob GagaiBrisbane Broncos2015Matt Lantry (NSW Cup coach)Central Newcastle Butcher Boys2016Craig Sandercock (assistant coach)Hull Kingston Rovers2015Tariq SimsNorth Queensland Cowboys2016Damian SironenTweed Heads Seagulls2015Jack StockwellSt. George Illawarra Dragons2017Carlos TuimavaveNew Zealand Warriors2016
Losses Player/Coach ClubWayne Bennett (head coach)Brisbane BroncosJoe BoyceBrisbane BroncosDarius BoydBrisbane BroncosMick Crawley (assistant coach & NYC coach)Canberra RaidersAdam CuthbertsonLeeds RhinosMichael DobsonSalford Red DevilsJacob GagaiBrisbane BroncosMatt HilderRetirementBrenton HorwoodEastern Suburbs TigersToka LikilikiReleasedJosh MantellatoHull Kingston RoversWillie MasonManly Warringah Sea EaglesAlex McKinnonRetirementMatt MintoCentral Queensland CaprasRussell PackerContract terminatedChance PeniWests TigersAnthony QuinnRetirementTimana TahuRetirementZane TetevanoContract terminatedTravis WaddellBrisbane BroncosBrayden WiliameManly Warringah Sea Eagles
Promoted juniors Player Junior sideJack CoggerKnights New South Wales CupJames EliasKnights New South Wales CupJaelen FeeneyKnights National Youth CompetitionLachlan FitzgibbonKnights National Youth CompetitionSam KeenanKnights National Youth CompetitionJosh KingKnights National Youth CompetitionBrock LambKnights National Youth CompetitionDanny LeviKnights National Youth CompetitionJah PakauKnights National Youth CompetitionPride Petterson-RobatiKnights National Youth CompetitionDylan PhythianKnights National Youth CompetitionMichael SteeleKnights New South Wales CupTuiala TogiatasiKnights National Youth CompetitionHoneti TuhaKnights New South Wales CupNoel UnderwoodKnights New South Wales CupLuke YatesKnights National Youth Competition
Change of role Player/Coach New roleDanny Buderus (trainer)Knights assistant coach & interim head coachTroy Pezet (High Performance Unit Manager)Knights National Youth Competition coachRick Stone (assistant coach & New South Wales Cup coach)Knights head coachBen TupouKnights second-tier squad
Re-signings Player/Coach Re-signed toJack Cogger2018Jaelen Feeney2017Lachlan Fitzgibbon2017Dane Gagai2017Brock Lamb2017Danny Levi2018Jake Mamo2017Chanel Mata'utia2018Pat Mata'utia2018Sione Mata'utia2018Tyler Randell2017Korbin Sims2017Jeremy Smith2016Kade Snowden2017Luke Yates2017
Player contract situations 2015 (left)201620172018Adam ClydsdaleBryce DonovanJaelen FeeneyJack CoggerJames EliasJosh KingLachlan FitzgibbonDanny LeviDavid Fa'alogoDylan PhythianDane GagaiChanel Mata'utiaMarvin FilipoRobbie RochowBrock LambPat Mata'utiaJake FinnNathan RossJake MamoSione Mata'utiaJacob GagaiTariq SimsSam MataoraJarrod MullenKurt GidleyJeremy SmithTyler RandellChris HoustonJoseph TapineKorbin SimsSam KeenanJames TaylorKade SnowdenJoseph LeiluaJack StockwellJames McManusAkuila UateClint NewtonLuke YatesJah PakauPride Petterson-RobatiChad RedmanTyrone RobertsBeau ScottDamian SironenMichael SteeleTuiala TogiatasiHoneti TuhaCarlos TuimavaveNoel UnderwoodPaterika Vaivai
Ladder
Jerseys and sponsors In 2015, the Knights' jerseys were made by ISC and their major sponsor was Newpave Asphalt.
2015 Home Jersey2015 Away Jersey2015 ANZAC Jersey2015 Heritage Jersey2015 ISC Marvel Heroes Spider-Man Jersey2015 NSW Mining Jersey
Fixtures
Auckland Nines
Squad: 1. Sione Mata'utia 2. Jake Mamo 3. Dane Gagai 4. Chanel Mata'utia 5. Carlos Tuimavave 6. Jarrod Mullen (c) 7. Tyrone Roberts 8. Pat Mata'utia 9. Adam Clydsdale 10. Paterika Vaivai 11. Tyler Randell 12. Chris Houston 13. Robbie Rochow 14. Nathan Ross 15. Korbin Sims 16. Joseph Tapine 17. Jack Stockwell 18. Danny Levi
Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Drop Goal Conversions AttendanceSaturday, 31 JanuaryAuckland Nines Game 2 St. George Illawarra DragonsEden Park18 – 7J.Mamo (3), D.GagaiJ.Mullen (1/4)Saturday, 31 JanuaryAuckland Nines Game 9 Parramatta EelsEden Park15 – 21N.Ross, C.Houston, J.TapineT.Roberts (1/3)Sunday, 1 FebruaryAuckland Nines Game 18 Manly Warringah Sea EaglesEden Park20 – 17T.Randell, T.Roberts, S.Mata'utia, A.ClydsdaleT.Roberts (1/2), J.Mullen (1/2)Sunday, 1 FebruaryAuckland Nines Quarter-Final 2 South Sydney RabbitohsEden Park6 – 30J.MamoJ.Mullen (1/1) Legend:
Pre-season trials Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals AttendanceSaturday, 14 FebruaryTrial 1Port Macquarie Sharks/Wauchope BluesLank Bain Sporting Complex, Wauchope86 – 0T.Randell (2), P.Mata'utia (2), J.Feeney (2), J.Mamo (2), J.Elias (2), S.Mataora, N.Ross, J.Leilua, S.Keenan, M.Filipo, J.FinnT.Randell (7/9), H.Tuha (2/5), D.Levi (1/1)Saturday, 21 FebruaryTrial 2 Canberra RaidersSeiffert Oval26 – 4A.Uate (3), J.Leilua, A.ClydsdaleT.Roberts (3/3), K.Gidley (0/2)6,350 Legend:
Regular season Date Rd Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals AttendanceSaturday 7 March1New Zealand WarriorsHunter Stadium24-14D. Gagai (2), T. Randell, Robbie RochowT. Roberts (3/3) T. Randell (1/1)16,146Saturday 14 March2North Queensland Cowboys1300SMILES Stadium16-14J. Leilua (2), A. UateT. Roberts (2/3) 13,006Sunday 22 March3Gold Coast TitansCbus Super Stadium20-18D. Gagai, B. Scott, J. SmithT. Roberts (4/4)6,962Saturday 28 March4Penrith PanthersHunter Stadium26-14A. Clydsdale, K. Gidley, C. Houston, A. UateT. Roberts (5/5)20,114Saturday 4 April5St George Illawarra DragonsHunter Stadium0-1314,261Friday 10 April6Cronulla-Sutherland SharksRemondis Stadium6-22A. UateT. Roberts (1/2)10,054Sunday 19 April7Parramatta EelsHunter Stadium22-28D. Gagai, C. Houston, J. McManus, A. UateT. Roberts (3/5)16,953Saturday 25 April8North Queensland CowboysHunter Stadium24-26C. Houston, J. Leilua, S. Mata'utia, A. UateT. Roberts (4/4)15,518Sunday 10 May9Manly Warringah Sea EaglesBrookvale Oval10-30J. McManus, T. SimsT. Roberts (1/2)10,065Sunday 17 May10Wests TigersHunter Stadium22-12D. Fa'alogo, J. Leilua, J. McManus, C. RedmanT. Roberts (3/4)15,573Monday 25 May11Brisbane BroncosHunter Stadium18-31J. Leilua, T. Randell, K. SimsT. Roberts (3/3)12,673Sunday 31 May12New Zealand WarriorsMount Smart Stadium20-24A. Uate (2), D. Gagai, J. McManusD. Gagai (1/1)T. Randell (1/3)13,203Saturday 6 June13Canberra RaidersHunter Stadium22-44D. Gagai, J. Leilua, S. Mata'utia, A. UateK. Gidley (3/4)13,50414 Bye Sunday 21 June15Cronulla-Sutherland SharksHunter Stadium28-30J. Mamo, B. Scott, K. Snowden, C. TuimavaveK. Gidley (6/6)14,081Friday 26 June16Brisbane BroncosSuncorp Stadium22-44D. Gagai, D. Levi, K. Sims, A. UateK. Gidley (2/3)D. Gagai(1/1)27,24617 ByeFriday 10 July18Canberra RaidersGIO Stadium22-36A. Uate (2), J. McManus, K. SnowdenT. Roberts (3/4)6,015Saturday 18 July19Gold Coast TitansHunter Stadium30-2K. Gidley, D. Levi, Jake Mamo, J. Mullen, T. SimsT. Roberts (5/6)10,546Saturday 25 July20South Sydney RabbitohsANZ Stadium6-52K. SnowdenT. Roberts14,603Sunday 2 August21St George Illawarra DragonsWIN Jubilee24-46A. Clydsdale, K. Gidley, J. Mamo, T. Randell, N. RossT. Roberts (2/5)10,236Sunday 9 August22Sydney RoostersHunter Stadium22-38K. Gidley, S. Mata'utia, J. Smith, J. TapineT. Roberts (3/4)17,718Saturday 15 August23Wests TigersCampbelltown Stadium24-18T. Roberts (2), T. Randell, A. UateT. Roberts (3/4)K. Gidley (1/1)10,963Monday 24 August24Melbourne StormAAMI Park20-6K. Gidley, T. Roberts, T. SimsT. Roberts (4/5)8,743Saturday 29 August25Canterbury Bankstown BulldogsHunter Stadium18-20K. Gidley. N. Ross, T. SimsT. Roberts (2/2)K. Gidley (1/1)23,605Saturday 5 September26Penrith PanthersSportingbet Stadium12-30J. Mamo, C. NewtonT. Roberts (1/1)8,936 Legend:
Statistics NameAppearancesTriesGoalsField goalsPointsCaptainAge1720080221610040351000002124720320242261305022332230012030136002402472008020940016021900000251000002322300120191750020029101004028101004034204202002321004023213540120024510040256200802718200823122200802319400160251720080352130012029120000023131004021510040232212004802850000023 Totals 24 79 71 0 458 - Average: 26
30 players used.
Source:
Representative honours
The following players appeared in a representative match in 2015.
Australian Schoolboys Jayden Butterfield
Cook Islands Sam Mataora
Fiji Daniel Saifiti Jacob Saifiti Korbin Sims Rick Stone (coach)
Indigenous All Stars Dane Gagai Tyrone Roberts
Junior Kiwis Danny Levi
Lebanon James Elias
New South Wales Sione Mata'utia (squad member) Beau Scott Tariq Sims (18th man)
New South Wales Country James McManus Jarrod Mullen (squad member) Tariq Sims Kade Snowden Akuila Uate
New South Wales Residents Chanel Mata'utia Nathan Ross (19th man)
New South Wales under-16s Mat Croker
New South Wales under-18s Jack Cogger (captain) Brodie Jones Brock Lamb
New South Wales under-20s Luke Yates
NRL All Stars Beau Scott (captain) Jeremy Smith
Prime Minister's XIII Dane Gagai Jake Mamo (train-on squad) Jack Stockwell (train-on squad)
Queensland Dane Gagai Korbin Sims (20th man)
Samoa Joseph Leilua Pat Mata'utia Carlos Tuimavave
Individual honours
Teams and squads National Youth Competition (NYC) Team of the Year Danny Levi
New South Wales Cup Team of the Year