League: Knights chase rep jerseys and record

It's hard to escape the three Rs on Newcastle's mind heading into today's NRL clash with the Gold Coast Titans at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

Revenge, rep jerseys and records.

The Knights haven't forgotten their round one loss to the Titans on the Gold Coast, when they led 16-0 after half an hour only to lose 34-20 in searing heat.

The Knights have Kurt Gidley, Jarrod Mullen, James McManus all backing up from rep duty, while the Titans have Luke Bailey, Anthony Laffranchi and Mark Minichiello also playing their second game in three days. All six are vying for New South Wales State of Origin selection in the coming weeks.

The Knights are seeking a record-equalling eighth successive win at home - matching the Andrew Johns-led teams of 1995 and 1999.

Newcastle coach Brian Smith was to have finalised his team after a training session yesterday but was certain the team would have the memory of their trip to Queensland in round one in their heads.

"We would certainly like to get square about that," said Smith. "We were disappointed they were able to finish over the top of us in that game. They're playing on our patch this time. I hope our boys bear that in mind if we get into the lead early in the game. We need to keep our foot on the pedal."

Gold Coast's rep trio have all been cleared for the trip to Newcastle, with Laffranchi and Bailey coming through the test unscathed and Minichiello buoyed by his two-try heroics in City's 40-18 win over Country.

Former test prop Brad Meyers said that the rest of the forward pack would still have to lift to help carry the workload of the tired trio.

"Depending on how they pull up, it's going to fall on the rest of us to pick it up because they're guys that do a lot of work," said Meyers. "We all have to step it up again."

Today's clash represents another ideal opportunity for Mullen to push his case for a New South Wales recall, as he will confront Queensland halfback understudy Scott Prince. Mullen was out-played by City man-of-the-match Peter Wallace in Orange on Friday night but will still come under consideration as a Blues five-eighth with Terry Campese in mixed form.

Mullen said he felt ready for an Origin recall, after debuting as an inexperienced halfback in 2007 with few NRL games under his belt.

"I feel a bit more experienced and have a lot more football under my belt and I think I'm better equipped for it now," he said.

Meanwhile, the loss of star fullback Karmichael Hunt and serious fitness concerns over test centre Justin Hodges could force Brisbane coach Ivan Henjak into a major backline reshuffle before today's clash with a desperate Manly at Suncorp Stadium.

Hunt is battling a deep thigh cork and may even be a week or two off playing - in a race to be fit for Origin with the opening game of the interstate series in Melbourne in three weeks.

Brisbane have four players - Hodges, skipper Darren Lockyer, winger Israel Folau and City Origin halfback Wallace - backing up from Friday night representative duties. Hodges made a successful two-try comeback for the Kangaroos in Australia's win over New Zealand.

The Sea Eagles are in a similar boat, with six players backing up from representative duty.

Henjak has a couple of options if Hodges pulls out. He can play Folau in the centres or youngster Alex Glenn, called into the Kiwi camp ahead of the test and who has been up for nine games - and may need a break.