New Zealand Warriors
40
Match Complete
Newcastle Knights
10
| A. Pompey |  | 76 | ||
| B. Sironen |  | 75 | ||
| A. Pompey | | 65 | ||
| D. Watene-Zelezniak | | 63 | ||
| A. Pompey | | 60 | ||
| R. Berry | | 59 | ||
| A. Pompey | | 47 | ||
| D. Walker | | 46 | ||
| 43 | | K. Ponga | ||
| 42 | | D. Lucas | ||
| 24 | | G. Marzhew | ||
| A. Pompey | | 13 | ||
| M. Montoya | | 11 | ||
| A. Pompey | | 8 | ||
| A. Fonua-Blake | | 6 | ||
| C. Nicoll-Klokstad | | 1 |
| 7 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 6 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The second week of the finals concludes this afternoon when the Warriors take on the Newcastle Knights at Go Media Stadium in Auckland. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4.05pm (AEST).
We’re down to six teams and the stakes can’t be any bigger. It’s sudden death from here on, with the winner earning a spot in the preliminary final against the Broncos.
Missing Shaun Johnson or not, the Warriors would have been worried by their 32-6 loss against the Panthers last weekend. Penrith were punching holes in the Warriors defence, especially in the first half.
Having said that, the Warriors return home and their crowd will be next level. They are sure to come out firing and, if they can maintain the intensity, the Knights will struggle to contain them.
Johnson has been named to return and is a big in for the Warriors. Dylan Walker returns to the bench and Freddy Lussick drops out of the 17.
The Knights come into this on the back of 10 straight wins after just edging the Raiders 30-28 last Sunday afternoon. It was a match of ebbs and flows and Newcastle got home in extra time on the back of a late penalty.
At their best, with Ponga popping up on both edges, the Knights can challenge any defensive line. However, conceding 5 tries to the Raiders will concern Adam O’Brien.
The Knights have two injury worries with both Jackson Hastings and Lachlan Fitzgibbon confirmed out. Adam Clune will play in the halves and Dylan Lucas joins the starting pack.
Prediction
If there is going to be an upset this weekend, this will be it. But, I can’t tip it. The Warriors will be riding a wave of emotion in Auckland whilst the extra 10 minutes for the Knights may take its toll late. It will be tight, but the Warriors will get home. Warriors by 6
Game information
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Kick-off: 4:05pm (AEST)
TV: Nine, Fox League
Streaming: Kayo Sports
Odds: Warriors $1.50, Knights $2.60 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Warriors
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Josh Curran 18. Freddy Lussick 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Tom Ale 23. Edward Kosi
Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Adam Clune 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Kurt Mann 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Brodie Jones 19. Enari Tuala 20. Fa’amanu Brown 21. Lachlan Miller 22. Jack Johns
Jerram Robinson
Roar Rookie
Mate you should be proud of the Knights, that winning streak to the finals was epic. I think they might have been carrying some mental fatigue after last week, and if the rub of the green doesn't quite go your way in the NRL, it can be brutal. Just look at what happened to the Warriors in Penrith, all teams have those kind of days.
Jerram Robinson
Roar Rookie
The Knights were awesome these last two months, but I wonder if the win against Canberra took a lot out of them emotionally and physically. It’s so hard for teams emotionally to perform at a constant high level after having come off such an epic win like the Knights had last week. Even if you’re playing at 96%, the 4% you’re missing is still enough for an opposition team to pounce on you in the NRL, which is what happened today.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
I'll be at both games mate :thumbup:
watty
Roar Rookie
Well done Warriors, deserved victory! Even as an opposition fan I've enjoyed watching them play this year. Great coach too in Andrew Webster. Commiserations Newcastle and fans. Still a fantastic year ????
Danielle Smith
Editor
Fantastic win to the Wahs, well deserved. Congrats all you Warriors fans! Still so proud of my Knights and the way they turned their season around.onto 2024!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Brisbane rightfully heavy favourites but I think warriors can beat them
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Chur bro, haha. Will be tough next week but so glad we are there for a shot.
Mankyfoot
Roar Rookie
I’m sorry buddy you’re right. Not cool on my end. Up the Wahs. Nga mihi and KI RIUNGA NGA WAHS!
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Good luck. But the Warriors have to beat the Broncos at home at Suncorp stadium and then the Panthers 'at home' in Sydney.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Not if you understand what it means and the historical context behind the name. Feel free to use 'Bunnies' if your brain can't make the paradigm shift to embrace the historical context of the name, 'Rabbitohs'.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Cheers Rob. First dozen rounds was lamentable but then I dunno what happened. Just nice go watch them play some good footy again.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Let me enjoy the moment mate, come on.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Thanks mate, got to enjoy these moments.
Mankyfoot
Roar Rookie
If you think warriors are beating panthers or broncos you are dreaming
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
He's a champ.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Broncos in Brisbane, is quite a different proposition for the Warriors. No big home crowd support for a start. Only game between them so far was in NZ ,Broncos 26 -Warriors 22 . Can’t see the Warriors beating the Broncos in Brisbane either.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Commiserations, Chops. Your boys have done you proud this year, and they've been one of my favourite teams to watch.
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Nah mate, it is.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Enjoy, mate!
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for following the blog today. Enjoy the rest of the weekend and I will see you next weekend for the prelims!