New Zealand Warriors vs Newcastle Knights: NRL live scores, blog

The New Zealand Warriors and Newcastle Knights meet in a vital clash for both clubs. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2pm (AEST).

With just two wins in the 2019 season so far, both the Warriors and Knights will be desperate to haul themselves up the ladder and keep their semi-final aspirations alive.

The difference between a 2-6 early season record and the rather better sounding 3-5 is enormous. The winner will feel that their season is well and truly alive while the loser will occupy a very low rung on the premiership table.

The Warriors come into this match off the back of a tough 13-12 loss to the Storm at AAMI Park and a home defeat to the Cowboys a fortnight ago.

The Knights looked far better last week against the Eels in their morale-boosting 28-14 victory. That win come after two poor performances in Rounds 5 and 6, with losses to the Sea Eagles and Titans that had the fans upset and some calling for the head of coach Nathan Brown.

Neither side has been ravaged by injury with only Aidan Guerra unavailable for the Knights and the Warriors line up with what appears to be their best 17.

With Blake Green back for the Warriors and inspirational captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck in sparkling form, the home side has weapons to use on the fringes.

Newcastle will have to defend well on the edge and attempt to prevent the powerful New Zealand forwards from making significant metres through the centre.

Agnatius Paasi and Bunty Afoa hold the key to making those metres. David Klemmer and Daniel Saifiti will have their work cut out for them, as they attempt to match the Warriors’ power game through the middle.

Mitchell Pearce was outstanding against the Eels last week and will be looking to keep his form rolling with State of Origin just around the corner.

With Kalyn Ponga, Pearce will need to be the spark that fires the Knights attack.

Prediction
The Warriors are usually a tough proposition at home and this match should be no exception.

If able to make consistent forward progress, their talented and skilled back line should be able to play off the back of the platform and score enough points to conquer the Knights.

Ball control will be the key for Newcastle as errors and poor decision making has hampered them this season.

Look for a brave effort from the visitors yet the Warriors to prevail in what could be a high scoring encounter.

New Zealand Warriors 34, Newcastle Knights 26

Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 2pm (AEST).

Where: Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand
When: Sunday 5th May 2019, 2pm (AEST)
TV: Fox League, Kayo Sports, NRL App
Betting: New Zealand Warriors $1.57 Newcastle Knights $2.40

Warriors
1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2 David Fusitu’a 3 Peta Hiku 4 Patrick Herbert 5 Ken Maumalo 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita 7 Blake Green 8 Agnatius Paasi 9 Issac Luke 10 Leeson Ah Mau 11 Isaiah Papali’i 12 Tohu Harris 13 Lachlan Burr. Interchange: 14 Nathaniel Roache 15 Adam Blair 16 Bunty Afoa 17 Gerard Beale.

Reserves: 18 Hayze Perham 20 Solomone Kata 21 Ligi Sao 23 Chris Satae

Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Hymel Hunt 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Connor Watson 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Danny Levi 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tim Glasby. Interchange: 14. Sione Mata’utia 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. James Gavet 17. Josh King.

Reserves: 18. Mason Lino 19. Kurt Mann 20. Jamie Buhrer 21. Pasami Saulo