Live Blog: Topping 40 points again in rock 'n' roll showdown

Media conferences 

Eels

Sharks

Full-time: The Eels are enjoying their role as spoil sports at the end of the season and claim an upset 38-18 win over the Sharks in a dominant performance. They were on the attack from the get-go with an early try and never let up their enthusiasm. While a good win for Parramatta, it leaves the Sharks with plenty to work on as they approach the finals in a fortnight. 

80th min: A double for Tallyn da Silva and tries don't come much easier. Just a simply dummy from dummyhalf, with his opposite Brailey tricked by it to give him space on his right to run in. Sean Russell converts for a 38-18 lead. 

76th min: Big Junior Paulo just can't stop ball-playing and he produces his second try assist, running at the line before producing a slick flick pass, going from his right hand to the left, back to a supporting Tallyn da Silva. Moses converts from in front for a 32-18 lead. 

74th min: Tom Hazelton is sent to the sin bin for a hip drop tackle on Ronald Volkman who was threatening to break through the line.

73rd min: A successful captain's challenge for Parramatta at the insistence of Josh Addo-Carr, who knew a ball that went over the sideline was played at by the Sharks. 

63rd min: However, they don't have to wait long, with Sione Katoa going over for his double. Some nice passing from the middle of the field to their right, with the winger over untouched. Hynes has his conversion attempt from the sideline waved away and it's 26-18. 

62nd min: A Sharks is put on hold for now, with ABF denied a try for not grounding the ball. The prop put in a strong run and appeared on-field to have scored, but the Bunker overturns the decision, saying the Eels did enough to hold the ball up. 

57th min: An important try to Cronulla that's come against the run of play. Blayke Brailey attempts a 40/20 kick, and while not successful, still gets a result, with him getting the four-pointer after the passage of play. Apa Twidale does well to prevent the 40/20, but then loses the ball when met by the chasing Sharks defenders, with Brailey amongst them to pick up the loose ball, run away and score. Hynes converts for 26-14.

41st min: Nearly a horror start for the Sharks who almost concede a try in the opening moment of the second half with a misguided offload from the kick off return being picked up by the Eels who go over. However, there are a number of knock-ons from both sides, so the Sharks fans sigh with relief. Score remains 26-8 for Parramatta. 

Half-time: A hectic first half and it's the Eels who had the early intensity to run out to a 26-8 lead over the finals-bound Sharks.  

40th min: The Sharks are able to narrow the scores by two with Nicho Hynes kicking a penalty goal with the Eels penalised for being within the 10 metres.

35th min: Another try to the Eels with Ronald Volkman putting on a show-show and go and straight through the line, cutting from the left back to the inside, breaking through some outstretched Cronulla hands. Moses converts and it's 26-6. 

30th min: The Eels are in again - once more with some enterprising play. Mitchell Moses goes over after a nice little offload from Junior Paulo who had just come back onto the field following his sin bin stint. Moses converts and scores are 20-6.

24th min: A try to Sione Katoa out on the right to get the Sharks on the board, just moments after he was denied one after trying to pass a ball back to himself that was going over the sideline. This one was a much more simple play, with the ball going through the hands out to their winger. Nicho Hynes converts for 14-6.  

14th min: More points for the Eels, but this time it's a penalty goal from Moses for a 14-0 lead. 

12th min: The Bunker intervenes and Junior Paulo is sent to the sin bin for hip drop tackle on Addin Fonua-Blake, who later comes from the field to get checked out. It didn't get a penalty at the time, with play continuing, but the official saw the foul play. Paulo goes up to AFB before he walks off to apologise before coming from the field. 

6th min: Another eventful try for the Eels, with Brian Kelly taking an intercept 20 metres out from their own line, running downfield and evading defenders before he's finally cut off - but he gets a pass back to Will Penisini to finish the job. Moses converts again for 12-0. 

2nd min: Hope you had changed over from the last game in time, with the Eels over for the opening try before the Sharks have a chance to touch the ball. A huge line break from Kitione Kautoga sets it up, with the Eels then going out to their left, with Apa Twidle is the one to finish with the four-pointer, yelling out with passion to the home crowd. Mitch Moses converts for 6-0. 

Match preview 

Late Mail

Eels: Kelma Tuilagi and Jonah Pezet join the six-man interchange on game day. Under 19s prop Ryda Talagi will make his NRL debut off the bench after 13 appearances in NSW Cup this season. Dylan Walker returns from a wrist injury on the bench. Apa Twidle is the fullback with Sean Russell in the centres although they could swap around as they did last week.

Sharks: Cam McInnes has been named to start at lock with Tom Hazelton on the bench but they could swap on game day as they did against the Titans. Winger Ronaldo Mulitalo will bring up 150 NRL appearances. Riley Jones and Riley Pollard have been added to the six-man interchange and are in line to make their NRL debuts.

Warriors v Knights at Go Media Stadium

Media conferences

Knights 

Warriors

Full-time: The Warriors get it done - just - but had to fight the whole way against a gutsy Knights side for their 46-32 win. Newcastle played with only 12 players from the 13th minute on when Jacob Saifiti was sent off. It was a debut to remember for Jett Cleary in the halves for the Warriors as well, with three try assists in the important win. 

77th min: A double to Jacob Laban with a strong run that just busts through attempted tackles. He cuts back inside from the right to make his way over under the posts. With the rain coming down, the game had gotten a bit scrappy, but the run from the second rower was all class for his second. Tuaupiki slots it from in front for a 46-32 lead - putting the Wahs back to the top of the table as things stand. 

68th min: A lot to look at in a Mitch Barnett 'no-try' call on the field. It remains no try, however, he earns two penalties along the way, getting tackled high and then getting the ball stripped. Warriors remain on the attack. 

63rd min: The Warriors strike back with an impressive, counter-attacking try, with Alofi'ana Khan-Pereira the one to finish off the job. The Knights were on the attack, but an errant offload finds Leka Halasima who immediately powers his way down field. He gets stopped by Kalyn Ponga, but they Warriors send the ball right and then back out to the left to score. Tuaupiki converts from near the sideline for 40-32. 

58th min: A rapid-fire double for Greg Marzhew in a similar - but much more simple - fashion. They go out to their left and their powerful winger is there to run straight through attempted tackles to go in again. Smith converts from the sideline and it's 34-32. 

55th min: A hard-to-believe try from the Knights with Greg Marzhew going over to put his side back in the game. Newcastle go out to their left and the winger make a break and then puts in a kick that goes directed into the head of Tuaupiki, then bounces off the leg of a chasing Leiataua and then into Marzhew's arms to collect, run in and score. Smith converts and scores are narrowed 34-26. 

52nd min: A try to Adam Pompey on the right corner is checked by the Bunker thoroughly and is confirmed, despite some concern he may have touched his wrist over the dead-ball line first. However, all is cleared and the home side go further in front as well with Tuaupiki slotting the conversion. Warriors lead 34-20. 

50th min: Injury alert - Kurt Capewell comes from the field for a HIA after copping some friendly fire from Leka Halasima attempting a tackle. 

43rd min: The Warriors get the perfect start to the second half, with Ali Leiataua getting the opening try after the restart. Another good kick from Cleary, with Jacob Laban flying high for a huge take over his head, getting in back for his centre to score. Tuaupiki converts and its 28-20. 

Half-time: Where do we start? An action-packed first half with both sides crossing for four tries. The Knights came out firing and had the Warriors home fans stunned, with Newcastle scoring three tries in the opening 15 minutes. But then the complexion of the game had already changed with Jacob Saifiti sent off for a high tackle on Luke Laulilii which ruled the back out of the game in the 13th minute. The Warriors then posted four straight tries to get the lead, but let in a second try out wide to Fletcher Hunt to give the visitors important momentum going into the break to trail 22-20. 

40th min: The Knights continue to show their fighting spirit and score a try as the first half comes to a close, with Fletcher Hunt over on the right corner for a double. A few errors from the Warriors were gladly capitalised on by the visitors. Smith can't convert so the Warriors hold their lead 22-20. 

39th min: Injury alert - a blow for the Knights with try-scoring second rower Francis Manuleleua coming from the field with a suspected dislocated elbow. 

36th min: Action instead at the other end of the field with Demitric Vaimauga going over to put his side in front for the first time. Cleary goes high with a kick and Adam Pompey - who is on the field for Luke Laulilii who has been ruled out with a Cat 1 HIA - goes up for the ball, passes back on his outside for the charging forward to goes over. Tuaupiki converts again for 22-16. 

34th min: A no-try to the Knights, but they showed some good enterprise in the lead-up, with a clever pass out to their left edge and speed down the sideline. However, Jacob Laban is able to put the danger to bed, with the Bunker just confirming. 

26th min: And a third straight try for the Warriors with Erin Clark unable to be denied as things start to unravel for the Knights. The lock proves just too strong barging his way over and gets the ball down. Tuaupiki converts again and we are all locked up at 16-16. 

23rd min: Back-to-back now for the Warriors with Wayde Egan showing his smarts, with the Knights somehow forgetting that he would go himself from dummyhalf. The Warriors were attacking the line with Cleary and Erin Clark stopped in the lead-up before Egan saw a huge gap in the markers and goes over next to the posts. Tuaupiki slots this one and it's 16-10. 

19th min: Finally the hit-back the home fans have been looking for with Jacob Laban - sporting a peroxide blonde hairdo - is over for the Warriors. Some nice play in the lead up with Jett Cleary putting on a step back inside before passing out to his right and the second rower finishes off the job. Taine Tuaupiki can't convert so it's 16-4. 

15th min: Despite being a player down, the Knights are running riot in attack with tier other second rower Jermaine McEwen getting over with concerning ease for the Warriors. Smith converts and it's a big 16-0 lead.

13th min - injury alert - Luke Laulilii comes off for a HIA, with Adam Pompey coming on. Update - it was a Cat 1 so he's gone for the match. 

13th min: Big moment in the game with Jacob Saifiti sent off for his tackle attempt on Luke Laulilii, who was making his Warriors club debut. He just got the tackle completely wrong, causing direct and forceful impact to his head. 

10th min: Back-to-back for the Knights who are looking switched on in attack. More ill discipline in the lead-up from the Warriors helps the Knights on their way, but it's some great evasive footwork from Fletcher Sharpe to help set up Kiwi-born Francis Manuleleua to score. Smith convert and it's 10-0 to the Knights. 

s5th min: First points to the visitors with Fletcher Hunt going over in the left corner with an acrobatic tumble across the line. The Warriors gifted the Knights field position with an error, compounded by a penalty and then a line drop out. Sandon Smith can't convert in windy conditions and it's 4-0 to the Knights. 

Kick off: The Warriors get us started and kick off so the Knights have the first chance with the ball. 

Pre-game: A different looking jersey for the home side today, with both the NRL and NRLW teams wearing a one-off Dynasty Sport-designed ‘Te Taiao’ jersey. The club stated the design "draws inspiration from Aotearoa’s natural environment, paying tribute to the land, waters and living ecosystems that shape what the One New Zealand Warriors represent as a club".

Match preview

Late Mail

Warriors: One more change on game day, with Makaia Tafua coming on to the extended bench in place of Morgan Gannon in the 21 jersey. Halfback Jett Cleary will make his NRL debut alongside Luke Hanson as coach Andrew Webster opts to rest Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita. Martin was named on Tuesday to return from a hamstring complaint which kept him out for three games while Harris-Tavita has a minor hamstring issue. The loss of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak with a broken collarbone brings Luke Laulilii onto the wing for his first appearance since Round 11. DWZ has undergone surgery to repair the damage and is expected to return during the finals.

Knights: No late changes on game day. Harrison Graham is the starting hooker for just the second time this season as he deputises for Phoenix Crossland, who has had surgery to remove meniscus in his knee. Dane Gagai's return from a hamstring injury sees Fletcher Hunt push out to the wing to replace the suspended Dom Young. Back-rower Tyson Frizell is also serving a ban so Francis Manuleleua fills that hole in his return from concussion. No changes in Saturday's 24-hour update.