After previously playing in Melbourne and Auckland, the One New Zealand Warriors make Christchurch's Apollo Projects Stadium a new Anzac Day venue for today's match against Newcastle (8.05pm kick-off).
After announcing an extended deal yesterday to bring a NRL game to Christchurch for the next three seasons, the Warriors will be hoping to build on their gritty performance against the Broncos last week.
Without a number of their big names, the Warriors fought to the end with halfback Luke Metcalf stepping up to slot a 50-metre penalty goal for a 20-18 golden point victory, their fourth win of the season.
In contrast, the Knights posted their fourth straight loss after going down at home to the Sharks and need to find some spark and resilience to halt their slide; they've scored just 24 points in those four matches.
It will be a tough ask for Adam O'Brien's men to defy their recent history, with the visitors having won only two of their past 17 matches played in Aotearoa.
Match: Warriors v Knights
Round 8 -
home Team
Warriors
4th Position
away Team
Knights
15th Position
Venue: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Team news
One New Zealand Warriors: Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is back from concussion for the Anzac Day clash so livewire Taine Tuaupiki moves to the wing and Ed Kosi drops to the reserves. Centre Rocco Berry is also back after a one-game ban so Kurt Capewell returns to the back row and Leka Halasima to the bench. Te Maire Martin, Tanner Stowers-Smith and hooker Sam Healey dropped out when the squad was trimmed to 19 on Thursday.
Knights: Tyson Gamble has dropped out of the side due to a broken nose suffered against the Sharks. Gamble has had surgery and stayed in Newcastle to recover. His place is taken by Jack Cogger in his return from a finger injury. Rising back-rower Dylan Lucas (hamstring) is back on deck so Thomas Cant moves to the bench and Jermaine McEwen makes way. Kyle McCarthy is 18th man.
Match: Warriors v Knights
Round 8 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Taine TuaupikiWinger for Knights is number 2 James Schiller
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco BerryCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Ali LeiatauaCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Adam PompeyWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Luke MetcalfHalfback for Knights is number 20 Jack Cogger
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell BarnettProp for Knights is number 8 Tyson Frizell
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey
-
Prop for Warriors is number 12 Marata NiukoreProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 14 Leka Halasima2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 8 Jackson FordInterchange for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty AfoaInterchange for Knights is number 15 Tyrone Thompson
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Knights is number 16 Thomas Cant
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Jacob LabanInterchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 20 Tanah BoydReplacement for Knights is number 21 Matthew Arthur
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Warriors have won four of their past six games in Christchurch.
- The Knights have won only two of their last 17 games played in New Zealand.
- Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf and rookie Leka Halasima have scored tries in three consecutive games.
- The Knights have been outscored 100-24 in their past four games.
- Warriors winger Adam Pompey has scored six tries in eight games against the Knights.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
