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Warriors v Knights: Lui into 17; Clifford's NRL return

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pan66.com
Timestamp

The Warriors were far from disgraced against the Dragons but for all their effort it was a third loss on the trot and another frustrating day for the players and coach Nathan Brown.

Leading 18-12 early in the second half the Warriors had put themselves in the box seat to notch a fifth win of the season but errors again proved costly and the opportunity was lost.

The Knights started well enough against Brisbane and looked to be dialled in but their hopes were dashed by a couple of controversial calls and a late Broncos stampede which blew the scoreline out.

Both sides will be desperate to turn their fortunes around and keep touch with the top eight and whoever controls the ball best and maintains their discipline will come away with the victory.

Sportsbet Betting preview: Warriors v Knights

The Rundown

Team news

Warriors: Mid-season recruit Dunamis Lui has been promoted to the 17 on game day and will come from the bench in his first game for the club. Eli Katoa drops back to 18th man. Chanel Harris-Tavita returns at five-eighth while the unavailability of Addin Fonua-Blake (injury) and Matt Lodge (released) sees Ben Murdoch-Masila and Jazz Tevaga named at prop. 

Knights: A late change with Simi Sasagi joining the bench and Leo Thompson dropping back to 18th man. Jake Clifford will partner Anthony Milford in the halves as the Knights continue to battle injury — this time it's Bradman Best (elbow) who is out, with Enari Tuala replacing him at centre.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Reece Walsh
    Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
  • Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
    Winger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee
  • Centre for Warriors is number 3 Viliami Vailea
    Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
  • Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
    Centre for Knights is number 4 Enari Tuala
  • Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
    Winger for Knights is number 5 Dominic Young
  • Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita
    Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Anthony Milford
  • Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
    Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jake Clifford

Forwards

  • Prop for Warriors is number 8 Ben Murdoch-Masila
    Prop for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
  • Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Freddy Lussick
    Hooker for Knights is number 9 Chris Randall
  • Prop for Warriors is number 10 Jazz Tevaga
    Prop for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Euan Aitken
    2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 13 Jack Murchie
    2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan  Fitzgibbon 
  • Lock for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris
    Lock for Knights is number 13 Mitchell Barnett

Interchange

  • Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Taniela Otukolo
    Interchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Aaron Pene
    Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jacob Saifiti
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Bunty Afoa
    Interchange for Knights is number 17 Mat Croker
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 21 Dunamis Lui
    Interchange for Knights is number 18 Simi Sasagi

Reserves

  • Replacement for Warriors is number 17 Eliesa Katoa
    Replacement for Knights is number 16 Leo Thompson

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Nick Morel
  • Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton

Last updated:

Key match-up

Reece Walsh v Kalyn Ponga: With a sunny afternoon forecast for Redcliffe, two of the NRL's great entertainers get the perfect stage to showcase their skills. Walsh is yet to recapture the form that made him an instant sensation in 2021 but he is capable of tearing the Knights apart if he is allowed room to move while Ponga seems to have the weight of the world on his shoulders as he tries to spark his team week after week. Having racked up 179 metres, two tackle breaks and two line breaks against Brisbane it feels like the Knights No.1 gun might just be ready to explode.

Stat Attack

The Warriors and Knights sit 14th and 16th on the list when it comes to tackle breaks in 2022. Newcastle have come up with 292 tackle breaks with Dane Gagai (40) their top contributor. The Warriors have had 274 tackle breaks with Reece Walsh leading the way on 45.

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National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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