Just about every footy follower reckoned the Warriors would be hammered by Melbourne last week, especially when they lost superstar fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
But there they were on the Storm's home turf, leading 12-10 with five minutes to go before having their hearts broken by a Cameron Munster penalty goal and Brodie Croft field goal.
The moral of the story is that the Warriors showed like they did against Souths that they can stand toe to toe with any team in the competition when they're in the mood and there's no reason why they can't play with the same concentration and conviction every week.
The Knights saved their season with a morale-boosting win over the Eels but it will count for little if they don't back it up with another strong performance on Sunday in Auckland.
Match: Warriors v Knights
Round 8 -
home Team
Warriors
12th Position
away Team
Knights
10th Position
Venue: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
The Rundown
Team news
Warriors: Skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck returns from a hamstring injury at fullback allowing Peta Hiku to move back to the centres. On the negative side, winger David Fusitu'a (ribs) is out, replaced by Gerard Beale. Solomone Kata and Ligi Sao were left out an hour before game time. Blake Green (groin) is back at halfback, allowing Tohu Harris to return to his favoured second row position. Adam Blair goes to the bench. Jazz Tevaga is out with a calf injury.
Knights: Sione Mata'Utia will start in the centres in place of injured Jesse Ramien (shoulder), with Kurt Mann elevated to the bench. After Pasami Saulo and Ramien were cut on Saturday, Mason Lino and Jamie Buhrer were omitted an hour before game time. The Knights are chasing back-to-back wins for the first time since rounds 18 and 19 last year.
Match: Warriors v Knights
Round 8 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-SheckFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Ken MaumaloWinger for Knights is number 2 Edrick Lee
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Peta HikuCentre for Knights is number 3 Hymel Hunt
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Patrick HerbertCentre for Knights is number 14 Sione Mata'utia
-
Winger for Warriors is number 17 Gerard BealeWinger for Knights is number 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Connor Watson
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Blake GreenHalfback for Knights is number 7 Mitchell Pearce
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 8 Agnatius PaasiProp for Knights is number 8 David Klemmer
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Issac LukeHooker for Knights is number 9 Danny Levi
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Leeson Ah MauProp for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Tohu Harris2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Mitchell Barnett
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Lachlan BurrLock for Knights is number 13 Tim Glasby
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Nathaniel RoacheInterchange for Knights is number 15 Herman Ese'ese
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Adam BlairInterchange for Knights is number 16 James Gavet
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Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Hayze PerhamInterchange for Knights is number 17 Josh King
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 23 Chris SataeInterchange for Knights is number 19 Kurt Mann
Match Officials
- Referee: Chris Sutton
- Referee: Phil Henderson
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
Key match-up
The Newcastle forwards have to back up last week's strong effort, but it's the clash of the No.1s that everyone wants to see. Hopefully RTS is over the hamstring ailment that kept him out of last week's loss to Melbourne because the Warriors will need him to out-shine Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga, who had arguably his best game of the season last week.
For the Warriors to win
While they no doubt will welcome back RTS, the Warriors need to bring the same intensity and energy that almost carried them to a shock Anzac Day upset of the Storm. They proved they can compete without RTS and Blake Green and must play with the same pack mentality every week.
For the Knights to win
Last week's drought-breaking victory should put a spring in their step and it's up to Nathan Brown to turn those good vibes into a winning formula and steer his team firmly into finals contention. Pearce and Ponga have to produce the same take-charge displays, while Connor Watson and Danny Levi need to prove their standout performances were no flash in the pan.
Brett Kimmorley says
Newcastle were great. They were challenged, and responded. Their three best were Pearce, Ponga and Klemmer. That can win games for them every week. It’s hard to say why can’t we have that every week. For the Warriors their inability to close out close games is hurting them. If they can play as good as they did against the Storm, they should win. Now it’s a matter of whether Stephen Kearney can do that. Warriors by 2
Stat Attack
Even though he missed last week's game Roger Tuivasa-Sheck still leads the NRL in line breaks (8) and is equal second in tackle breaks (41). He is also seventh in run metres (1,170). The Knights have more charge-downs (4) than any team, with prop Dave Klemmer having two to his name.
And another thing ...
Dave Klemmer was his usual hard-working self in the 28-14 defeat of Parramatta, finishing with a team-high 202 run metres, 67 post-contact metres, 19 hit-ups and 32 tackles. Knights hooker Danny Levi responded to criticism with 41 tackles, two try assists and a line break assist. Coach Brown will challenge Levi to have a similar impact against the Warriors. Both teams have 2-5 records.
