The Newcastle Knights head across the ditch to kick off Sunday afternoon football, when they take on an out of form New Zealand Warriors side desperate for a win. Join us for live scores and commentary from 2.00pm AEST.
While New Zealand will look to regroup after suffering their biggest loss in club history against Penrith last week, they will be met with the daunting task of trying to stop a Newcastle outfit that ripped apart the Canterbury Bulldogs just seven days ago.
With Matthew Elliott’s future in the shaky isles looking very shaky, he will be hoping the addition of Kevin Locke and Dane Nielsen will lift his side’s lacklustre attack, which is only averaging 15.1 points per game so far in 2013.
New Zealand turned on a performance last Saturday night that Warriors fans have sadly become far to familiar with, completing only 16 of their 24 sets in the 62-6 thrashing at Centrebet Stadium.
Newcastle on the other hand were clinical in their 44-8 demolition of Canterbury last Sunday, with the Knights rolling over the top of one of the best forward packs in the competition, chalking up 757 more metres then their opposition and completing 85 percent of their sets.
Prediction
It was only a matter of time before Newcastle were going to turn their form around and prove why they are one of the best attacking teams in the competition.
Their win against Canterbury, who were coming off the back of three straight victories, will certainly give the Novocastrians a boost as they attempt to beat New Zealand for only the second time in their last seven outings at Mt Smart Stadium.
While Kevin Locke’s inclusion will add to the Warriors’ attack, the New Zealand outside backs will have to deal with the return of Akulia Uate, who was a late scratching from last week’s game against the Bulldogs.
Overall, I can’t look past last week’s performance by both teams. I think Newcastle will carry a lot of momentum into the match, and expect them to account for New Zealand fairly easily.
Newcastle by 14 points.
David
Guest
warriors too good
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
What a turn around from last week. While injuries to Boyd and Uate didn't make it any easier for Newcastle, they just didn't look like they showed up today. A big win for the Warriors, who certainly needed it after last weeks performance against Penrith. Just goes to show that the NRL is one of the hardest sports to tip a winner in.
eagleJack
Guest
Good result from the Warriors Top 4 now with a mini break on the rest of the comp.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
FULL TIME- Newcastle throw the ball around trying to find a way through the Warriors line. Gidley puts the grubber kick in but Ikahihifo runs it into touch. New Zealand 28 Newcastle 12
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
'79 - Johnson kicks the ball out on the full to give Newcastle a scrum 40m out from their own line. New Zealand 28 Newcastle 12
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
'78 - Newcastle cough the ball up only 10 metres out from the Warriors line. Despite having a number of chances in the game, the Knights have just really struggled to convert. New Zealand 28 Newcastle 12
Colin
Guest
Warriors gee whiz what a turn around knights dreadful they look like a bottom team
Zaccaaa
Guest
Warriors lose to the dogs at home, knights hammer dogs at home, warriors beat knights at home :s funny game it is
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
'77 - Johnson with a chip over the top regathered by Gidley who makes some good metres up the middle. New Zealand 28 Newcastle 12
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
73' - TRY NEW ZEALAND - Johnson with a short pass to Taylor who crosses securing the win for New Zealand. '74 - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL by Johnson . New Zealand 28 Newcastle 12
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
72' - Leilua decides he wants to give Elijah Taylor a facial massage, giving away a penalty. New Zealand 22 Newcastle 12
eagleJack
Guest
Great pressure there from Matulino. Warriors are a stressful team to watch. Would hate to be Matt Elliot!
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
'70 - Mullen puts the kick into the in goal on the last tackle. Locke is tackle in goal, giving Newcastle a new set. The Knights are putting a lot of pressure on the Warriors. '71 - Scrap that. Roberts knocks the ball on. Pretty poor pass from Cuthbertson. New Zealand - 22 Newcastle - 12
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
'68 - Nathan Friend knocks the ball on 35 metres out from Newcastles line. New Zealand are doing anything they can to give the win to the Knights. New Zealand - 22 Newcastle - 12
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
'66 - Possible Newcastle try. Gidley with a grubber through to McMannus on the wing who kicks the ball on in goal before knocking the ball off. Simple decision for the video referee. No try. New Zealand - 22 Newcastle - 12
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
'65 - With a new set of six 10m out from Newcastles line, Godinet drops the ball handing possession back to Newcastle. New Zealand - 22 Newcastle - 12
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
'63 - Newcastle try and run the ball out on the left hand end. McMannus however is penalised for passing the ball from the ground. That set looked promising for Newcastle. Can New Zealand hold on, or will they fall apart? New Zealand - 22 Newcastle - 12
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
'59 - Gagai tries to put the ball down in the corner but drops the ball over the line. He gets up limping. Newcastle can't afford another injury. New Zealand - 22 Newcastle - 12
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
'58 - Beauiful little kick from Snowden which earns his team a new set of six from the dropout. New Zealand - 22 Newcastle - 12
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
'57 - Boyd coming from the field with Gidley moving to fullback. With Uate and Boyd from the field, this is going to be an uphill climb for the visitors. New Zealand - 22 Newcastle - 12