thBrad Inger reviews the New Zealand Warriors clash with the Newcastle Knights. Here’s how the match went.
MATCH TIMELINE
| Minute | Scoring Play | Score |
| 7th | Try Adam Pompey (Warriors) | Warriors 4-0 |
| 8th | Goal Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors) | Warriors 6-0 |
| 12th | Goal Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors) | Warriors 8-0 |
| 18th | Try Gehamat Shibasaki (Knights) | Warriors 8-4 |
| 19th | Goal Kalyn Ponga (Knights) | Warriors 8-6 |
| 49th | Try Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors) | Warriors 12-6 |
| 50th | Goal Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors) | Warriors 14-6 |
| 61st | Try Adam Pompey (Warriors) | Warriors 18-6 |
| 69th | Try George Jennings (Warriors) | Warriors 22-6 |
| 70th | Goal Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors) | Warriors 24-6 |
| 72nd | Try Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors) | Warriors 28-6 |
| 73rd | Goal Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors) | Warriors 30-6 |
| 77th | Try Jazz Tevaga (Warriors) | Warriors 34-6 |
| 78th | Goal Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors) | Warriors 36-6 |
MATCH SUMMARY
1st Half
The New Zealand Warriors took their home match to Scully Park in Tamworth, as a thank you for being the team’s quarantine zone when they landed back in Australia before the season restarted. And they shot out of the gates early, taking advantage of back to back knock-ons from the Knights with Adam Pompey scoring off a Peta Hiku offload in the corner. The Knights bad luck continued with yet another knock-on followed shortly after by a penalty for a high tackle which allowed the Warriors to push their lead out to 8-0. After trading a few the sets, the Knights finally managed to get themselves into the Warriors half of the field. They took little time turning that into points when Gehamat Shibasaki snatched a Mitchell Pearce bomb to reduce the Warriors lead to 2. Another Newcastle knock-on saw the Warriors surge up the field with some impressive runs from youngster Jack Murchie, a Kodi Nikorima kick to the corner looked almost on the money, but a Murchie knock-on in the in-goal handed the Knights a seven tackle set. After a mighty run from Lachlan Fitzgibbon, the Knights looked sure to score when Pearce dived for the line, but the New Zealand skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck managed to strip the ball, the Knights were handed a scrum due to Tuivasa-Sheck losing the ball in the strip but they yet again lost possession giving the Warriors a get out of jail free card. The Warriors had a few opportunities near the Knights try line but were stopped by some valiant efforts by Kalyn Ponga. The Warriors returned the favour with Karl Lawton making a try-saving tackle a few moments later; the New Zealand side continued to look the more dangerous side with some big runs from Nikorima and George Jennings to wind-up the first half with the Warriors holding on to a narrow 8-6 lead.
2nd Half
The Knights showed some promise at the start of the second half but once again let themselves down with some poor handling when Ponga lost the ball after making some huge metres scooting out of dummy-half. The Warriors charged up the field with the assistance of a six again call, and a penalty and loan player Daniel Alvaro looked to have barged over for the Warriors second try, but the Knights defence shone once again with the big forward being held up over the line. Newcastle struggled to get out of their own half with the ball in hand, and they were in trouble once again when the Warriors made easy work of the defensive line with Tuivasa-Sheck almost going over untouched for his second try in as many matches. The New Zealand sides dominance of the game continued with another huge set that resulted in a repeat set after a Harris-Tavita kick deflected off the goalposts. Harris-Tavita was at it again on the very next set as he put through a grubber which resulted in another repeat set. The Warriors continued to pile on the pressure, and another Hiku offload saw Pompey dive over in the corner once again, pushing the New Zealand sides lead out to 12. Starford To’a broke the Warriors defensive line apart and ran 40 metres and would have scored if it wasn’t for a last gasp effort defensive effort from Harris-Tavita. This was the last chance the Knights had with the ball in hand as the Warriors onslaught continued. They ran away with three tries to George Jennings, Tuivasa-Sheck and Jazz Tevaga to end the match with an impressive 36-6 win, keeping their slim playoff chances alive and putting the Knights top eight position in jeopardy.
GAME HIGHLIGHT
My highlight of the match goes to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck first try. The Warriors dominated the majority of this match, but when their skipper went over for the first of his two tries, you could see the Warriors step their performance up a level while the Knights appeared to drop their heads and allow the New Zealand side to score almost at will. It has been a challenging period for Tuivasa-Sheck, who is the only New Zealand Warriors player who does not have his family with him. Still, he has not used it as an excuse and is playing some of his best football to date and Warriors fans will be hoping he can continue this form as they attempt to sneak into the top eight.
SQUADS
New Zealand Warriors: 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
Newcastle Knights: 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
