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The Knights will be well below full strength for Saturday's home game against the Warriors.

After initially preparing to be without injured fullback Kalyn Ponga and Origin reps Daniel Saifiti and Tim Glasby, Newcastle lost two more stars during the week when David Klemmer and Mitchell Pearce were rushed into the NSW team to replace Tariq Sims and Nathan Cleary.

The Knights have shown over the past two months or so that they don't rely on one player, but this game will test their depth like no other this season.

The Warriors failed to perform yet again at home last week and Stephen Kearney might cop some serious heat if he can't orchestrate a victory over a depleted Knights.

The Rundown

Team news

Knights: After the loss of David Klemmer and Mitchell Pearce to Origin duty following selection in their club team, coach Nathan Brown has made a host of positional change an hour out from kick-off. Jamie Buhrer moves into the second row, Kurt Mann to halfback, Sione Mata'utia into the centres, Josh King from the bench to the front row and Jacob Saifiti from prop to the bench. Tex Hoy and Tautau Moga were the final two players left out of the squad.

Warriors: Issac Luke and Lachlan Burr return on the bench with Nathaniel Roache (knee, season) dropping out. Gerard Beale replaces Patrick Herbert in the centres while Ligi Sao dropped out of the 19-man squad 24 hours before kick-off. Leivaha Pulu and Chanel Harris-Tevita were left out 60 minutes before game time. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Knights is number 1 Connor Watson
    Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
  • Winger for Knights is number 2 Hymel Hunt
    Winger for Warriors is number 2 David Fusitu'a
  • Centre for Knights is number 4 Jesse Ramien
    Centre for Warriors is number 3 Peta Hiku
  • Centre for Knights is number 12 Sione Mata'utia
    Centre for Warriors is number 18 Gerard Beale
  • Winger for Knights is number 5 Shaun Kenny-Dowall
    Winger for Warriors is number 5 Ken Maumalo
  • Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Mason Lino
    Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
  • Halfback for Knights is number 3 Kurt Mann
    Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Blake Green

Forwards

  • Prop for Knights is number 8 James Gavet
    Prop for Warriors is number 8 Agnatius Paasi
  • Hooker for Knights is number 9 Danny Levi
    Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Karl Lawton
  • Prop for Knights is number 16 Josh King
    Prop for Warriors is number 10 Leeson Ah Mau
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Adam Blair
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 14 Jamie Buhrer
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Isaiah Papali'i
  • Lock for Knights is number 15 Herman Ese'ese
    Lock for Warriors is number 13 Jazz Tevaga

Interchange

  • Interchange for Knights is number 10 Jacob Saifiti
    Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Issac Luke
  • Interchange for Knights is number 17 Pasami Saulo
    Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa
  • Interchange for Knights is number 18 Aidan Guerra
    Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Sam Lisone
  • Interchange for Knights is number 23 Phoenix Crossland
    Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Lachlan Burr

Match Officials

  • Referee: Adam Gee
  • Referee: Gavin Badger

Last updated:

Key match-up

Connor Watson has a big challenge on his hands to out-play Warriors counterpart Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, especially with so many regulars out of action through injury and Origin duty. Nathan Brown will be asking every one of his players to find a little bit extra this week and will be leaning on Watson to provide plenty of energy and enthusiasm.

For the Knights to win

Take control of the game early. In the absence of play-making stars Ponga and Pearce, the Knights need to rely on a one in-all in approach and do their best to emulate Pearce's kicking game. They need to build an early lead and put the wildly inconsistent Warriors under pressure.

For the Warriors to win

Strong defence is key. For the Warriors to win this game they must complete sets and stay committed to tackling. If they are able to avoid mistakes and stick to the game plan early they can look to take advantage later in the game.

Brett Kimmorley says

The Knights are playing a tough brand of football. Jesse Ramien started to show us a little bit of form last week. If the Knights are able to get him some early ball, he will open some space up for them. The Warriors were just not good enough to win a tight match last weekend. I think the Knights will give them another of those this weekend before a huge crowd. Knights by 2

Stat Attack

The typically inconsistent Warriors have won just five games - one more than the Bulldogs and Titans. The Warriors have struggled with defence this season, conceding an average of 21 points per game - fourth worst in the competition.

And another thing ...

Keep your eye on Ken Maumalo, who has scored 10 tries in 13 games for the Warriors this season. Maumalo sits behind only Cody Walker and Maika Sivo on the top try-scorers list and could pass them with a big game on Saturday.

Acknowledgement of Country

The New Zealand Warriors honour the mana of the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa, Australia and the Pacific. We acknowledge the traditional kaitiaki of the lands, elders past and present, their stories, their traditions, their mamae and their mana motuhake.

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