You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content
Match Preview

Warriors v Knights: RTS back in the No.1; Gagai ruled out

Author
pan66.com
Timestamp

For the first time since their season ended there at the hands of the Warriors last September, the Knights head back to Go Media Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Warriors are back in Auckland for their second home game on the trot – after they earned their first win of the season last Friday against the Raiders in Christchurch – and will be looking to continue their climb up the ladder after a slow start in 2024.

Newcastle meanwhile overcame a sloppy display against the Storm, which included missing 41 tackles, to secure a two-point win which improves them to a 2-1 record, with fullback Kalyn Ponga and back-rower Kai Pearce-Paul their standout performers.

Knights prop Leo Thompson will miss the match after copping a one-game ban for Dangerous Contact, while the Warriors will have their fingers crossed hooker Wayde Egan (elbow) will be good to go after being a late withdrawal from their squad each of their past two games.

The Round 1 defeat to Cronulla was the Warriors' first loss in eight games at Go Media Stadium, while the Knights have won at the venue just twice in 15 visits since 2006.

Sportsbet Betting Preview - Warriors v Knights

Team News

Warriors: A late change on game day sees utility Chanel Harris-Tavita join the bench change in place of back-up hooker Freddy Lussick. Dylan Walker was ruled out on Saturday after succumbing to an ankle injury and Jazz Tevaga called into the side as he was last week. Marata Niukore (foot) is a big inclusion on the bench while Wayde Egan (elbow) has been named at hooker and should be right to play. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck moves to fullback with Taine Tuaupiki (concussion) sidelined with regular No.1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad expected back in Round 5. 

Knights: No changes to the 17 on game day after Dane Gagai was ruled out with a "medical condition" on Saturday. Dylan Lucas has been promoted to the starting side. Jackson Hastings is once again set to feature in reserve grade with Jack Cogger the preferred number seven after the Knights' win over Melbourne. Daniel Saifiti starts for Leo Thompson (suspension).

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
    Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
  • Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
    Winger for Knights is number 2 Thomas Jenkins
  • Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco Berry
    Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
  • Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
    Centre for Knights is number 18 Dylan Lucas
  • Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
    Winger for Knights is number 5 Enari Tuala
  • Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Metcalf
    Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
  • Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
    Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jack Cogger

Forwards

  • Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
    Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
  • Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
    Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
  • Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett
    Prop for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
    2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
  • 2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell
    2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai  Pearce-Paul 
  • Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris
    Lock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott

Interchange

  • Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Marata Niukore
    Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Bunty Afoa
    Interchange for Knights is number 15 Mat Croker
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Jazz Tevaga
    Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
  • Interchange for Warriors is number 21 Chanel Harris-Tavita
    Interchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones

Reserves

  • Replacement for Warriors is number 14 Freddy Lussick
    Replacement for Knights is number 19 Jed  Cartwright

Match Officials

  • Referee: Peter Gough
  • Touch Judge: Jon Stone
  • Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Knights have not won in New Zealand since 2019.
  • Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored nine tries in his past eight games at Go Media Stadium.
  • Knights coach Adam O’Brien will reach the milestone of 100 games as head coach.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the .

Related

Acknowledgement of Country

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.

Premier Partner

Media Partners

Major Partners

 View All Partners