Two of the competition's undefeated teams go head-to-head but injury has robbed both the Knights and the One New Zealand Warriors of key playing personnel.
Newcastle fullback and captain Kalyn Ponga is set to miss 6-8 weeks with a hamstring injury, star half Dylan Brown faces a month on he sideline with a MCL strain and late in the week Fletcher Sharpe's comeback was put on hold.
The side overcame the loss of Ponga and Brown last week to defeat the Sea Eagles and coach Justin Holbrook will be hoping his side can summon that same resolve in the club's first home game of the season against the Warriors.
With strong performances from some of their unheralded players like halfback Tanah Boyd and prop Jackson Ford - who is leading the Dally M tally - to lead them, the Warriors can move back to second with success today.
Last week they defied the odds following the loss pre-game of Kurt Capewell and Chanel Harris-Tavita early in the match to put on a clinic against the Raiders.
In their first journey away from home this season, Andrew Webster's men will be aiming to channel the momentum from their first two performances.
Match: Knights v Warriors
Round 3 -
home Team
Knights
5th Position
away Team
Warriors
4th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team news
Knights: Fletcher Sharpe was named to return from a knee injury suffered in Las Vegas but he was omitted 24 hours ahead of kick-off with Tyson Gamble coming into the halves. Fletcher Hunt is set to start at fullback in place of Kalyn Ponga (hamstring) while veteran prop Jacob Saifiti takes over as skipper. Francis Manuleleua and Thomas Cant are the No 14 and No 17 and hoping to get a shot this weekend after the injury reshuffle left them sidelined at 4 Pines Park.
One New Zealand Warriors: Coach Andrew Webster has been forced into a number of changes with Kurt Capewell nursing a calf injury and Chanel Harris-Tavita and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad entering the concussion protocols. Omitted at the 24-hour mark was Adam Pompey who has stayed in Auckland to support his wife who is expecting the couple's first child. Taine Tuaupiki is the new fullback, Luke Hanson makes his NRL debut at standoff, Leka Halasima starts in the centres, Marata Niukore replaces him in the second row co-captain Mitchell Barnett has been confirmed on the bench to make his comeback from knee surgery.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Fletcher HuntFullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Warriors is number 11 Leka Halasima
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Warriors is number 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 18 Tyson GambleFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Hanson
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon SmithHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah Boyd
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiProp for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Trey MooneyProp for Warriors is number 10 Jackson Ford
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jermaine McEwen2nd Row for Warriors is number 17 Marata Niukore
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Tyson FrizellLock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Thomas CantInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam Healey
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Mat CrokerInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Demitric Vaimauga
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami SauloInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Tanner Stowers-Smith
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Francis ManuleleuaInterchange for Warriors is number 18 Morgan Gannon
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Interchange for Knights is number 19 Harrison GrahamInterchange for Warriors is number 23 Mitchell Barnett
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Interchange for Knights is number 21 Cody Hopwood
Reserves
-
Reserve for Knights is number 22 James SchillerReserve for Warriors is number 20 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
-
Reserve for Warriors is number 22 Jett Cleary
Knights Ins
- Cody Hopwood
- James Schiller
- Tyson Gamble
Warriors Ins
- Alofiana Khan-Pereira
- Jett Cleary
- Luke Hanson
- Marata Niukore
- Mitchell Barnett
Knights Outs
- Dylan Brown
- Kalyn Ponga
Warriors Ins
- Adam Pompey
- Chanel Harris-Tavita
- Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
- Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat attack
- The Knights have won only one of their past five games against the Warriors.
- The Warriors have scored the most points in their history after two rounds.
- The Knights have lost their last six games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Warriors prop Jackson Ford will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
