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[VIDEO] New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights: NRL live scores, blog, highlights

Roar Guru
1st June, 2014
Teams

New Zealand Warriors
1 Sam Tomkins
2 David Fusitu'a
3 Konrad Hurrell
4 Ngani Laumape
5 Manu Vatuvei
6 Chad Townsend
7 Shaun Johnson
8 Jacob Lillyman
9 Nathan Friend
10 Suaia Matagi
11 Jayson Bukuya
12 Ben Matulino
13 Simon Mannering (c)

Interchange
14 Siliva Havili
15 Sam Rapira
16 Feleti Mateo
17 Sebastine Ikahihifo
18 Tuimoala Lolohea
20 Agnatius Paasi

Two to be omitted

Newcastle Knights
1 Darius Boyd
2 James McManus
3 Dane Gagai
4 Joey Leilua
5 Akuila Uate
6 Jarrod Mullen
7 Tyrone Roberts
8 Kade Snowden
9 Kurt Gidley (c)
10 Willie Mason
11 Beau Scott
12 Robbie Rochow
13 Jeremy Smith

Interchange
14 Adam Clydsdale
15 Korbin Sims
17 Adam Cuthbertson
18 Chris Houston
19 David Fa’alogo

One to be omitted

Kick-Off: 4:00 AEST
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium
Last Meeting: Warriors 28-12 Knights
Head to Head: Warriors 14, Knights 15
Betting: $1.40 Warriors, $2.90 Knights
The Warriors have started the season in terrible form. (Digital image by Shane Wenzlick, copyright nrlphotos.com)
Roar Guru
1st June, 2014
69
4660 Reads

A New Zealand Warriors side typically unaffected by Origin take on the increasingly desperate Newcastle Knights in this Sunday afternoon clash at Mt Smart Stadium. Join us for score updates and debate on our live blog from 1:30pm AEST.

Following the mid-season sacking of Matthew Elliott, the Warriors are travelling nicely under new coach Andrew McFadden.

With three wins from their last four games – and only a phenomenal Josh Morris trysaver stopping them from making it four against league leaders the Bulldogs – the NZers are finally looking like living up to the hype.

Warriors fans will be viewing this as the kind of game you have to win if they want to announce themselves as legitimate title contenders in 2014.

The Knights are currently struggling, with just 2 wins from their first 10 games and well-publicised off-field dramas undoubtedly affecting the players’ mentality. Key players are out of form and their combinations have been affected by a long run of early-season injuries.

Yet this is a side that managed to reach the preliminary finals last year under coach Wayne Bennett, so discounting them would be a mistake.

With the return of Jeremy Smith, Beau Scott and Joseph Leilua, the Knights will field a full-strength side for the first time this season (assuming Beau Scott and Darius Boyd back up from Origin).

The Warriors have an injury cloud over star halfback Shaun Johnson, who has been struggling with an ankle injury, and he will be monitored right up until game time to prove his fitness.

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But with the likes of Konrad Hurrell, Sam Tomkins and Manu Vatuvei in the backline – not to mention a wider-running Ben Matulino, whose shift to the second row has seen him as first tryscorer for three weeks in a row now – the Warriors still have plenty of weapons right across the park.

This will also be the 200th NRL game for Simon Mannering and his 100th as Warriors captain, which may just provide the home side with an extra boost.

I’m always wary of discounting the Knights, who have the troops to turn their season around at any time, but with all the omens – and form – in the Warriors’ favour, I’m tipping them to take this comfortably.

Warriors by 14.

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