Check out the match preview and prediction for the round four clash between the Warriors and Knights.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
New Zealand Warriors Vs Newcastle Knights
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Date: Sunday, March 31, 4:05 pm
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Marata Niukore 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Dylan Walker 18. Tom Ale 20. Jazz Tevaga 21. Chanel Harris-Tavita 22. Te Maire Martin 23. Ali Leiataua
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliott 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Brodie Jones 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Jed Cartwright 20. Thomas Cant 21. Will Pryce 22. Jackson Hastings
Referee: Peter Gough
Embed from Getty ImagesMATCHDAY PREVIEW
After losing their first two games of the season, the Warriors beat the Raiders, winning for the first time in 2024. The Warriors hadn’t played poorly in those losses, and fans knew it wouldn’t be long for them to get a win.
Their first victory of the year has come at a cost to young fullback Taine Tuaupiki after he failed a HIA, which means that Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will don the number one jersey. Adam Pompey comes into the centres. No doubt fans will be itching to see Tuivasa-Sheck in that fullback roll again. After being a late withdrawal in the last two games, Wayde Egan has been named at hooker, with Marata Niukore returning to the bench.
The Knights also broke through for their first win of the season against the Melbourne Strom. It wasn’t an entertaining win, but they got the two points they needed. There is still plenty for the Knights to work on (they missed 41 tackles), but it helps to have a player like Kalyn Ponga in your side.
Leo Thompson will miss the game after receiving a suspension for dangerous contact, and Daniel Saifiti moves into the starting side. Jack Cogger keeps his place at half, with Hastings still on the reserves.
The Knights will need to play much better than they did last week to get the win in New Zealand, but it is not out of their reach.
Head-to-head stats can be found at Round 4 Number Crunch.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Warriors by 10.
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