After missing the mark in round one, the Knights bounced back in a big way last week but they will need to be on their game when they host a buoyant One New Zealand Warriors side today.
Newcastle proved too strong for the Cowboys last week in a 26-6 win, showing plenty of intent from the outset to shut down the opposition.
Playing at home for the first time since 2019, the Warriors also posted a strong win, keeping the Eels scoreless in their 14-0 victory.
Many of their cross-code stars stood up with another game of rugby league under their belt, including tackle-busting winger Michaela Brake and crafty five-eighth Patricia Maliepo but the experience from the likes of Harata Butler and Laishon Albert-Jones in the middle helped set up the celebrated win.
Former Knights coach Ron Griffiths will return to face off against the club he helped guide to back-to-back premierships, with Albert-Jones and Emmanita Paki both winning silverware with the club as well.
Match: Knights v Warriors
Round 3 -
home Team
Knights
4th Position
away Team
Warriors
9th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team news
Knights: Minimal changes for the Knights who bounced back with a strong win last week, with Tess Staines named on the wing in the place of Lilly-Ann White who has been listed in the extended reserves. The new 18th player for the match is Viena Tinao, with Joeli Morris remaining in the reserves.
One New Zealand Warriors: Coach Ron Griffiths has named an unchanged lineup for the third week in a row as he prepares to face his old team that he helped lead to so much success. Lock Laishon Albert-Jones has been a key performer in both the Warriors' games so far, including last week's historic win, and will also be gearing up to play her former team where she won the 2023 premiership. Centre Emmanita Paki was in the lineup for Knights' 2022 premiership victory.
Match: Knights v Warriors
Round 3 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Botille Vette-WelshFullback for Warriors is number 1 Apii Nicholls
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan GallagherWinger for Warriors is number 2 Michaela Brake
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice ParkerCentre for Warriors is number 3 Tysha Ikenasio
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Tenika WillisonCentre for Warriors is number 4 Emmanita Paki
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Tess StainesWinger for Warriors is number 5 Payton Takimoana
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia RocheFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Patricia Maliepo
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse SouthwellHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Emily Curtain
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Tayla PredebonProp for Warriors is number 8 Harata Butler
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Warriors is number 9 Capri Paekau
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Tiana DavisonProp for Warriors is number 10 Lavinia Kitai
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Evah McEwen2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Shakira Baker
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kaiyah Atai
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Kayla RomaniukLock for Warriors is number 13 Laishon Albert-Jones
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jules KirkpatrickInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Lydia Turua-Quedley
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Simone KarpaniInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Maarire Puketapu
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Sienna YeoInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Ashlee Matapo
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Grace KukutaiInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Matekino Gray
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 18 Viena TinaoReplacement for Warriors is number 18 Makayla Eli
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Knights have won 10 of their last 12 games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Only three Warriors players (Laishon Albert-Jones, Emily Curtain and Harata Butler) have played at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Knights winger Sheridan Gallagher has scored 10 tries in her last nine games.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
