Newcastle Knights
34
Match Complete
New Zealand Warriors
24
| 72 |  | S. Johnson | ||
| 71 |  | J. Ford | ||
| L. Miller | | 70 | ||
| G. Marzhew | | 69 | ||
| L. Miller | | 65 | ||
| K. Mann | | 64 | ||
| 56 | | S. Johnson | ||
| 55 | | E. Kosi | ||
| 50 | | S. Johnson | ||
| 49 | | A. Pompey | ||
| L. Miller | | 37 | ||
| P. Crossland | | 36 | ||
| L. Miller | | 29 | ||
| T. Frizell | | 28 | ||
| 23 | | S. Johnson | ||
| 22 | | A. Pompey | ||
| G. Marzhew | | 18 | ||
| L. Miller | | 6 | ||
| D. Young | | 5 |
| 6 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 5 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 6 of the NRL premiership continues this evening when the Newcastle Knights take on the Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6:15pm (AEST).
We have a match up tonight between two of the improvers in this year’s competition. Whilst the Knights seem to have found their feet after a slow start, the Warriors have exceeded all expectations under new coach Andrew Webster.
In the age of golden point, you don’t see many draws in the NRL anymore, but the Knights and Sea Eagles fought one out last weekend. The Knights did have a chance to win within normal time but a conversion from out wide was waved away. From there, Daly Cherry-Evans and Jackson Hastings couldn’t land the knockout blow.
The Knights do boast a strong forward pack, headlined by Daniel Saifiti and Tyson Frizell. With Kalyn Ponga still sidelined, Newcastle are a bit short in the halves department but Lachie Miller is creating plenty of chances from fullback.
Tyson Gamble is out due to concussion protocols with Phoenix Crossland coming into the halves. Kurt Mann returns on the bench after a concussion break, whilst Mat Croker is back from a ribs injury.
The Warriors recorded arguably one of the best wins in their history last weekend, after a 32-30 triumph over the Sharks. They were 20-0 down within 20 minutes, but slowly grounded their way back to a brave victory.
The Warriors have had a strong pack over the last few years, however Webster has instilled a toughness to this team not seen in recent times. Shaun Johnson is enjoying a bit of a renaissance, playing some of his best football.
Te Maire Martin and Tohu Harris both return to the team after recovering from a head knock and knee injury respectively. Jazz Tevaga moves back to the bench whilst Bayley Sironen comes in for the suspended Marata Niukore.
Prediction
The Warriors are on a roll at the moment and I think they will continue on their merry way this afternoon.
The New Zealand team won their first round against Newcastle by 8 points and it will be similar this time around.
The Knights just don’t have enough points in them.
Warriors by 6
Game information
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Kick-off: 6:15pm (AEST)
TV: Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Knights $1.95, Warriors $1.85 – odds via PlayUp
Knights
1. L. Miller, 2. D. Young, 3. D. Gagai, 4. B. Best, 5. G. Marzhew, 6. P. Crossland, 7. J. Hastings, 8. D. Saifiti, 9. J. Brailey (c), 10. L. Thompson, 11. T. Frizell, 12. L. Fitzgibbon, 13. J. Johns
Interchange: 14. K. Mann, 15. J. Hetherington, 16. M. Croker, 17. B. Jones
Warriors
1. C. Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. E. Kosi, 3. V. Vailea, 4. A. Pompey, 5. M. Montoya, 6. T. Martin, 7. S. Johnson, 8. A. Fonua-Blake, 9. W. Egan, 10. B. Afoa, 11. J. Ford, 12. B. Sironen, 13. T. Harris.
Interchange: 14. D. Walker, 15. J. Curran, 16. J. Tevaga, 17. Tom Ale
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Looking at the recent precedents and the injuries being caused, I reckon Crosslands body slid across Martins and caused the injury. 100% a hip drop.
Good one, Cheers Choppy. On another matter, Te Maire Martin out for 8 weeks due to "that tackle"...hip drop or just unlucky...it is a conundrum for the NRL
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Zozza I believe the knights are ordinary. A couple of recent wins doesnt change that. The knights will finish in the double figures but as a fan Im just pleased that they are playing some footy which is vastly different from recent years. Ponga costs a lot but doesnt bring much based on his cost. Happy to toughen up and always happy to hear different perspectives. Except from the misso or the mother in law. If the Knights get within 60 of the Panthers Ill be well surprised
I think you need to harden up and understand that people will not always agree with you in life. That is an easy cop out son, to tell people you have a different opinion with that they lack 'class'. Just accept that I am of the opinion that the Knights are pretty ordinairy football team. They obviously have a superstar player out with a worrisome bout of recent head knocks - and who knows if he will return. But, if you don't believe they are an ordinary football team, then that is fine by me. We live in countries that allow people to have different opinions. And if you read again, I was not complimentary of the Warriors - they did not play well at all, and made a vey ordinary football team look way better than they are, and I indeed will be very surprised if the Panthers don't give Newcastle a good old fashioned hiding - but, I could be wrong - it's all opinion before the fact.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Zozza that response lacks class.
Pilferer
Roar Rookie
And crossland for hip drop
Vivalasvegan
Roar Rookie
He's like a new man Johnson... Everyone wants to see the Warriors do well
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for following the blog today and enjoy the public holiday tomorrow.
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Warriors are back at home against a Cowboys side that will be desperate for a win. Maire Martin and Egan will both be missing
Pilferer
Roar Rookie
Enjoy knights fans . But gee that hip drop broken leg wow
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Knights are back at home next Saturday afternoon for the ultimate test against the Panthers. They are likely to be without Jayden Brailey and Mat Croker for next round. Possible meniscus injury for Brailey
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Great call David
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Viva the Warriors have so much reslilence and skill. They will hopefully build on the mometum and give this comp a red hot shake. And enjoy Shaun Johnsons great form. A class player.
Dean
Roar Rookie
Thanks for another good call David
David Holden
Roar Guru
That was a high quality game between 2 of the big improvers in the 2023 competition. The Knights got out to a big first half lead before the Warriors started to get on top. A change of momentum turned the game in the Knights favour but neither side will lose any supporters tonight
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Didn’t watch the game but great to see the score looks like both sides had a crack. Awesome to see both clubs earning some respect this year. Enjoy, your fans. :thumbup:
Dean
Roar Rookie
Grats Newcastle. Very entertaining win and good enough to close the game out, haven't said either of those things about Newcastle for a long while. Hastings and Miller both proving excellent buys. Impressed by the Warriors too: structurally a sound team and they hold their shape with patience even when losing. If they can overcome the slow starts they can push any team.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Thanks for the call, David. Enjoy the win Choppy and Co. Evening all.
Vivalasvegan
Roar Rookie
Warriors not lost any friends with that loss. Knights were tough... Good to see both clubs have got their acts together. Another good game!
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Damn, frustrating result. But well done to the Knights, deserved winners in the end. A fair few close moments where the calls and luck went their way, but they were good enough to take it.