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Warriors v Newcastle Knights Saturday 3:00pm at Scully Park, Tamworth / Kamilaroi

Warriors eye off unlikely finals birth as Knights set sights on top four.

The New Zealand Warriors will head back to Tamworth this Saturday for the first time since the town hosted them during their quarantine period in May as they play hosts to the Newcastle Knights in an all-important clash to kick off Super Saturday proceedings.

After coming from behind to down the Bulldogs last Sunday, making it three wins in their last four games, the Warriors find themselves four points out of the top eight and a fighting chance of playing finals footy - a remarkable achievement considering all the odds stacked against them this year.

Interim Coach Todd Payten will welcome back promising youngsters Chanel Harris-Tevita at halfback and Eliesa Katoa in the second-row for this clash with Paul Turner and Isaiah Papali'I slotting back to the reserves.

Whilst the Warriors sniff out an unlikely finals birth, the Knights all but cemented theirs after grinding out a victory over the Cowboys last week, making it three wins on the bounce for the first time this year. Now set for their first finals appearance since 2013, the Novocastrians, sitting one point behind the Roosters and Raiders on the ladder will be looking to force their way into a top four position.

That task has been made all the more harder after the loss of Blake Green to an ACL injury in what was just his third appearance for the club. The loss of the experienced five-eight made it their fourth season-ender in key positions after already losing hookers Jayden Brailey and Andrew McCullough along with the versatile Connor Watson this year.

There's been a large focus on the Knights struggle for points following Sunday's win after dominating field possession and only coming up with two tries on the day. Coach Adam O'Brien however, refuses to budge in his defence first mentality this year and the club's ‘next man up' mantra will be put to test again with Mason Lino earning an opportunity to partner Mitchell Pearce in the halves in what will be his first game this year.

Resisting the urge to move Kurt Mann back into the six where he was strong before being shifted to rake after Green's arrival, O'Brien has entrusted Lino to play more of a natural pivot role in order to take pressure off Pearce and to continue granting superstar Kalyn Ponga the freedom to play his natural game.  Lino's ability to kick goals should also give them a boost with Ponga struggling to land them between the sticks this year, with a success rate of just 65% compared to Lino who kicks at 81% for his career.

Last meeting: Round 1 2020 - Knights 20 Warriors 0

Who to watch: Signing with the Warriors for the remainder of the season upon the competition's resumption in May, former Raider Jack Murchie was quickly rewarded for his strong work ethic with a further two years extended on his contract and enjoyed somewhat of a breakout performance in last week's victory over the Bulldogs. After being handed an opportunity back in the top grade after five weeks out of action, the interchange forward hooked into his work for a 48 minute stint making 32 tackles and 73 metres, but it was the first two tries of his young career that really caught the eye. His first came after being the unlikely recipient of a cross-field bomb and the second backing up on the inside after a Warriors break. Both plays showcased his willingness to never give up on a play. 

Since returning in round 10 from a neck injury suffered in the last game before the Covid shutdown, Mitch Barnett has been ripping into his work in a way that has him looming as a bolter for the Blues at the end of the year. After one game back via the bench, Barnett was promoted to starting Lock the following week where he's taken his game to another level with some big minute performances in the middle. In that five game block, Barnett has averaged 146 metres, 43 tackles and close to 3 tackle busts and offloads per game. The tough and aggressive back-rower also leads the Knights line-speed and you'll often see him flying out of the line looking to make an impact in defence. 

The favourite: Newcastle are strong favourites to rack up their 4th win in a row.

My tip: This one appears a lot closer than the bookmakers have it. The Warriors resilience has been nothing short of outstanding and their only losses in the last five weeks have been to the Panthers and Roosters via six point margins. Speaking of resilience, the Knights have built their season around it and whilst their attack is still very much a work in progress, they should have enough class to get them over the line. Knights by 6.

1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Adam Pompey 3. Hayze Perham 4. Peta Hiku 5. George Jennings 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Chanel Harris-Tavita 8. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown 9. Karl Lawton 10. Lachlan Burr 11. Eliesa Katoa 12. Tohu Harris 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Wayde Egan 15. Adam Blair 16. Daniel Alvaro 17. Jack Murchie

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Starford To'a 3. Enari Tuala 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Mason Lino 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Kurt Mann 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Mitchell Barnett 15. Herman Ese'ese 16. Josh King 17. Pasami Saulo 19. Chris Randall

Referees: Matt Cecchin; Sideline Officials: Todd Smith, Gavin Badger; Video Referees: Steve Chiddy, Ben Lowe;