Knights v Warriors preview

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Newcastle Knights v Warriors Sunday 4:05pm at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

Newcastle look to mine the depths of their squad against sturdy Warriors.

It won't be surprising if people make comparisons to the recent malaise of the Wests Tigers when they see the Knights run out onto McDonald Jones Stadium in hi-vis orange this Sunday, a decade-old to the NSW Mining industry.

The home side for this clash are anchored firmly in the bottom group of the competition after a frustrating season. A win here would keep their slim finals hopes in the frame, while a loss is probably season-over territory - if it isn't already. Just three wins from their last nine games and injury to star fullback Kalyn Ponga aren't even the headline now, with coach Adam O'Brien's future called into question not just by frustrated fans, but now media scuttlebutt.

Whether O'Brien sees out the season aside, the Knights have made a good account for themselves in recent weeks. The 32-14 loss to Melbourne didn't really show how well the side performed, but their inability to hold true for 80 minutes was their downfall, particularly when Jahrome Hughes took control of the contest after halftime.

Looking at the teamsheet, Dylan Lucas comes out of the squad with Tyson Gamble joining the side on the bench. Brodie Jones starts back row in Lucas' place; while a series of changes sees Gagai move to fullback, and Hunt to centre. Elsewhere Frizell is benched, Crossland moves to lock and Brailey starts hooker.

The Warriors welcome back Kurt Capewell, who replaces Rocco Berry in the centres - the only change to their teamlist.

Their formline is interesting as well. Coasting along in the top four since the end of April, they've only won three of their last six, although those losses have come against in-form teams in Penrith, Brisbane and Canberra.

A longer-term statistic working against the 'Wahs' is that they've lost their last four matches against the Knights at Hunter Stadium. They last tasted victory in the pre-COVID era at the venue in 2019.

These sides have already met once this year - the Warriors coming away 26-12 winners in Christchurch on ANZAC Day.

Last meeting: Round 8 2025 - Warriors 26 Knights 12

Who to watch: These sides have had contrasting fortunes in their halves pairings this season, but that has changed in recent weeks.

The Warriors enjoyed incredible stability at the scrumbase until the ACL injury to halfback Luke Metcalf 3 weeks ago. Metcalf and Chanel Harris-Tavita formed the 6-7 pairing for the side's first fifteen matches. Titans' offcut Tanah Boyd filled in admirably in Sunday's win over the Tigers and will be hoping he can be the like-for-like replacement as Metcalf himself looks to recovery and 2026.

Newcastle have had five different halves pairings across the season, and only short runs of consistency with those pairings. The latest iteration - Hastings and Cogger - are entering their third week and it will be interesting to see how that momentum will generate better quality play for the Novocastrians. What won't help is O'Brien's continued indecision at hooker, with Crossland pushed back to lock for Brailey yet again.

Favourite: The Wahs, while on the road, are well-favoured against the lowly Knights.

My tip: I can't see anything but a Warriors win here. And while that's exactly what could spur Newcastle to victory, there's not enough confidence there to predict the upset this time around. A close contest the visitors will get away with. Warriors by 10.


1. Dane Gagai 2. Dominic Young 3. Fletcher Hunt 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Leo Thompson 11. Brodie Jones 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland 14. Tyson Gamble 15. Mathew Croker 16. Tyson Frizell 17. Jermaine McEwen 18. Thomas Cant 19. James Schiller 20. Elijah Leaumoana 21. Jack Hetherington 22. Kyle McCarthy

1. Taine Tuaupiki 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey 4. Kurt Capewell 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Jackson Ford 11. Leka Halasima 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Jacob Laban 16. Demitric Vaimauga 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith 18. Samuel Healey 20. Eddie Ieremia 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Ali Leiataua 23. Kayliss Fatialofa


Referees: Grant Atkins; Sideline Officials: Liam Kennedy, Phil Henderson; Video Referees: Chris Butler;



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