Round 9: Knights v Warriors preview
Sunday afternoon football heads back to the Hunter as the Newcastle Knights look to add another win on the board as they take on the somewhat out-of-form New Zealand Warriors side at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Staring down the barrel of losing Kalyn Ponga long-term and a poor start to the season, the Knights looked at the best they had done all season as they picked up an important 18-14 win over the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium. The Knights started fast opening up a 10-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes as they were able to dominate possession and field position and put up a strong defensive effort. The issue though came late when they remained scoreless for the final 33 minutes of the game and conceded two tries in the final three minutes and fought off a Dolphins comeback.
The Knights season has been poor by their standards set last year as they sit down in 13th spot just three wins from their eight games with inconsistency hurting them already having a loss against the Warriors this season back in Round 4. The Knights picked up important wins early in the season against Melbourne and the Dragons with a narrow loss to the Roosters before a fortnight ago a big loss to the Bulldogs.
Despite injury concerns out of the game, Knights coach Adam O'Brien has named the same 17 with Jacob Safiti named in the starting line-up despite being in serious doubt.
A pre-season favourite off their hype from 2023, the New Zealand Warriors have hardly the best start to 2024 as they went winless for the third straight week and it was a 27-24 defeat to the Titans that added to the woes of the Warriors this season. Scoring twice inside six minutes, it looked like it was going to be one-way traffic for the Warriors but like most of their season they couldn't really find an extra gear and the Titans went bang before a late fightback wasn't enough for the Warriors.
Expected by many to be a premiership contender, the Warriors have showed very little of their 2023 form as they sit in 12th on the ladder with just three wins from seven matches this season. The Warriors feel more like the Warriors of old where they have struggled for consistency across the 80 minutes with patches where they look brilliant but then had patches where they have been completely outplayed which happened last week.
The Warriors bring back two veterans into their side being Kurt Capewell and Bunty Afoa into their side. Capewell's return to the starting side sees Jacob Laban dropping back to the bench whilst Afoa comes onto the bench with Zyon Maiu'u dropping to the reserves and Paul Roache left out completely.
Last meeting: Round 4 2024 - Warriors 20 Knights 12
Who to watch: Knights fullback David Armstrong impressed during the pre-season challenge and filling the shoes for Kalyn Ponga last week, the youngster stepped into the big shoes as if he'd played over 100 games rather than being on debut. The performance at the back from Armstrong to run for 189m at the back will again be key for Newcastle against the Warriors.
Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson hasn't had the season many expected and his fortunes sum up those of his side having been inconsistent right through. There has been examples of SJ magic but then times where things just haven't been coming off for him and the Warriors and this week could be a big chance.
The favourite: The Warriors are comfortable favourites at this stage.
My tip: Just sit and watch this one, it's a game where you have two sides that could give you absolutely anything from an absolute dogs breakfast of a game to a highly entertaining effort. The fact the Knights have lost a couple of key players and the Warriors will have something to prove will be a help and class wise I think the Warriors could show a bit more. Warriors by 18.
