Newcastle dust off old colours for centenary match
By BRETT KEEBLE
THE Knights will turn back the clock and wear red-and-white jerseys for their round-six heritage game against the Roosters at Bluetongue Stadium as part of the NRL's Centenary of Rugby League celebrations.
The game has been scheduled for 2pm on Sunday, April 20 exactly 100 years to the day the first premiership matches were played in Sydney.
Known as the Rebels, Newcastle played in red and white in the NSW Rugby Football League in 1908 and 1909 but withdrew the following year to form their own competition.
As a tribute to Newcastle's pioneers, beaten 8-5 by Glebe at Wentworth Park, the Knights will wear red-and-white hooped jerseys, black shorts and black socks.
All clubs will play in replica jerseys and colours and the round will feature games between traditional or neighbouring rivals, or teams that joined the premiership in the same year.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Warriors coach Ivan Cleary named former Knights junior Aidan Kirk in a 20-man squad for the game against Newcastle at North Harbour Stadium tomorrow night.
A 21-year-old fullback, Kirk joined the Warriors from the Roosters at the end of 2006 and was one of the stars for the Auckland Lions in last year's Premier League.
He was Newcastle's Harold Matthews (under-16s) players' player in 2002.