JFC Team List: Chance to keep transformation going

Author: Richard Becht warriors.kiwi
Timestamp: Tue 17 Mar 2026, 08:01 PM

Making the hottest start in their time in the Jersey Flegg Cup, the One New Zealand Warriors have the chance to make it three straight when they face the Knights in Saturday’s third-round clash at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle (12.40pm kick-off local time; 2.40pm NZT).

Until this year, the Warriors had won just one of their first two matches in four seasons.

And since rejoining the competition in 2024 they had lost 10-36, 10-36, 4-50 and 28-32 in their first two matches of the last two seasons.

But what a transformation this year as the club’s pathways system begins to bear fruit.

First up the Warriors overran the Sydney Roosters 44-14 and backed it up with a 48-28 victory over the Raiders on the road last week to sit on top of the table.

Round 3 - Round 3 - Friday 20 Mar

11:30 pm

Knights

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tallan Egan

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Tainyn Clarken
Winger for Knights is number 2 Wil Rosenbaum

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Brandon Norris
Centre for Knights is number 3 Xavier Lynch

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Jeremiah Lemana
Centre for Knights is number 4 Zahn McKay

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Sio Kali
Winger for Knights is number 5 Sosaia Latu

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Harry Tauafiafi-Iutoi
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Koby Brown

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Harrison Inch
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Brooklyn Rosemeyer

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Maui Winitana-Patelesio

Forwards

Prop for Knights is number 8 William Bates

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Mikaele Ilaiu
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Taj Moore

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Braelan Marsh
Prop for Knights is number 10 Te Kaio Cranwell

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Hohepa Chandler
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Wil Hope

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kahu Capper
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Dezman Laban
Lock for Knights is number 13 Jack Hilliar

Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tyson Hansen

Interchange

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Jackson Smith

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Tama-Teahorangi Darlington
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tye Wicks

Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Nganaiaiafu Vake
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Julian Stewart

Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Gordon Afoa
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Zane Groves

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Micah Sula

Reserves

Replacement for Knights is number 18 Lennox Easthope

Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Jeriah Vagana-Malaitai
Reserve for Knights is number 19 Harrison Kearsey

Jeremiah Lemana
Jeriah Vagana-Malaitai
Micah Sula
Tainyn Clarken

Bishop Neal
Emosi Ravosai
Jack Thompson
Motu Pasikala

Last updated: 3/17/2026 6:04:42 AM

Now comes a real challenge facing the eighth-placed Knights without three of their most influential players in halfback Jack Thompson, fullback-winger Motu Pasikala and second rower Bishop Neal who have been called into the Warriors’ New South Wales Cup side.

Tainyn Clarken comes in at fullback for Pasikala, Maui Winitana-Patelesio starts at halfback and Dezman Laban replaces Neal in the second row.

There’s also a change in the centres with Jeremiah Lemana, outstanding for the Harold Matthews Cup side last year, called up.