Knights shutout Warriors in defensive masterclass

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Saturday 7:01pm: That'll do us for an awesome day at McDonald Jones Stadium! A 20-16 win in Canterbury Cup followed by an incredible 20-0 shutout in the NRL. Thanks for joining us for our weekly Match-Day Blog, keep an eye on newcastleknights.com.au for more throughout the week! See you next week Knights fans 💪

Saturday 6:56pm: Jayden Brailey heavily impressed in his Club debut. We caught up with him after the game, and this is what he had to say:

Saturday 6:43pm: What a game Daniel Saifiti had! Click here for our full stats piece.

Saturday 6:00pm: How good did KP and D-Saf play! They fared very well in the Fantasy stakes, click here to see how well they scored!

Saturday 5:55pm: Adam O'Brien has spoken from the post match press conference. Watch the full chat below

Saturday 5:35pm: A masterclass in defence from our boys! Re-live the best moments below

Saturday 4:53pm: Keep it glued here for all the post-mach wrap ups, including the team song, match highlights and press conference!

Saturday 4:51pm: There you have it! We've shut the Warriors out in our first game of the year in front of 10,239 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium! View all the best pics below or click here if you're on the app!

FULL TIME | First game, first win 🔥

79' | The Knights are forced to defend one last set, with the Warriors forcing a line drop-out

78' | Edrick Lee makes an incredible cover tackle, robbing RTS of a certain try

76' | A Mitchell Pearce intercept creates a chance, however the Knights Gehamat Shibasaki couldn't take a tough pass. Warriors back on the attack, looking for some consolation

75' | An attempted intercept gives the Warriors another set of six, putting them on the attack

74' | A clever drop out finds touch, giving the Warriors possession 

73' | A beautiful Ponga grubber earns a repeat set. He's been on fire today

71' | The Warriors make another error. This pretty much sums their game up today, they've been flat for the entire game

70' | Kalyn Ponga has crossed the 200m mark! 215 metres, and there's still time!

70' | The bunker backs the on-field decision of no try, with Watson denied.

70' | BUNKER | Connor Watson crashes over, with the decision referred to the bunker for review

69' | Another Warriors turnover gives the Knights a shot for their fourth try

64' | The Warriors turn the ball over, with the Knights defence again not looking like being breached

63' | A penalty sees the Warriors march down the field

63' | The challenge is successful, with the Warriors receiving the loose head and feed.

RE-LIVE | How good was seeing Kalyn Ponga score on his 50th game?

63' | CAPTAIN'S CHALLENGE - The Knights receive another repeat set after the Warriors spill a loose ball. A captain's challenge has been called by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck however!

62' | The Knights receive another penalty. The tackle count is set to re-start

60' | A Warriors error gifts the Knights another set on their line. Knights could truly put the game to bed here.

59' | Edrick Lee does extremely well to dive on a loose ball, with a 20 metre restart awarded.

57' | The Warriors receive a penalty for a late shot. On the attack now

55' | Ponga converts his own try. What a game he is having! Knights 20-0 Warriors

54' | TRY KNIGHTS!!!! Kalyn Ponga crosses on his 50th!! A wonderful move started by Kurt Mann sees the Knights extend their lead. Knights 18-0 Warriors

51' | Knights starting their sets in the Warriors half now, with our pack winning the arm wrestle with ease

51' | This Knights defence is incredible! The Warriors simply can't find a way up the field.

49' | Kalyn Ponga makes no mistake. Knights 14-0 Warriors

49' | ANOTHER Warriors penalty prompts a warning from referee Henry Perenara to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Knights taking the shot at goal this point

48' | The Knights are awarded another penalty on the line, this time electing to take the tap, hunting for another try.

47' | The Warriors give away another penalty, putting the Knights back on the hunt for their third try

45' | Both sides look content to play it safe early in the second half. Classic wet weather football

44' | Kalyn Ponga makes no mistake. Knights 12-0 Warriors

43' | The Knights receive a penalty, with Mitchell Pearce opting to take the two points.

42' | ERROR! The Warriors put down a Pearce bomb, and the Knights are right on the attack

40' | We're back underway for the second stanza

Saturday 3:47pm: How good was this from Daniel Saifiti! Our first try of the 2020 season

HALF-TIME | Defence reigns supreme 💪

39' | The Warriors make an error, letting the Knights off the hook.

38' | The Warriors receive a penalty, giving them one last opportunity before the break

34' | MASSIVE defence from the Knights! Keeping the Warriors camped in their own 20

33' | Connor Watson is thrown into the mix, with David Klemmer coming from the field.

32' | The Knights line holds firm! A line break from Gehamat Shibasaki puts the Knights back on the attack!

31' | The Knights goal line is facing a massive test, with the Warriors awarded another penalty

31' | Jacob Saifiti is on the park, replacing his brother Daniel

30' | Kalyn Ponga does extremely well to stop a rampaging Adam Blair close to the line, however a penalty sees the tackle count restarted

30' | The Warriors are awarded a penalty, putting them on the attack.

29' | Herman Ese'ese comes from the field, with Tim Glasby replacing him

28' | The Knights defensive line holds firm

27' | 40-20! Blake Green boots a stunning 40-20 to put the Warriors on the attack. Another test for the Newcastle defence

26' | Tuivasa-Sheck does well to take a tough Pearce bomb

26' | Knights making easy metres coming out of trouble now.

24' | Kurt Mann makes a crucial error close to the Warriors line. A half-chance was on.

22' | Hymel Hunt does extremely well to take a bomb in his own in-goal, earning a seven tackle set

20' | ANOTHER Knights penalty, and this time Chanel Harris-Tavita has been sent to the sin bin!

18' | TRY KNIGHTS!!!! Edrick Lee scores from a clever Kurt Mann pass, the Knights well in control now. Ponga's conversion is waved away. Knights 10-0 Warriors

17' | ANOTHER Knights penalty gives them a full set in the Warriors red zone

16' | A better set from the Warriors, however they are again plagued by ill-discipline, with the Knights again receiving a penalty

14' | The Knights again make an error attacking the line. Warriors working it down the field now

13' | Another Warriors penalty gives the Knights a piggy-back out of their own end. This time for a high shot.

12' | A Mitchell Pearce error on the last hands the Warriors possession.

11' | The Knights are given another penalty coming out of trouble, and have real momentum now

9' | TRY KNIGHTS!!!!! Daniel Saifiti crosses for the first try of the year! Kalyn Ponga converts. Knights 6-0 Warriors

8' | The Knights earn another penalty. The Warriors are now being tasked to defend a full set on their line. Crowd is extremely vocal

8' | The Knights withstand another set on their line, and earn a penalty coming out of trouble

7' | A one-on-one strip gifts the Warriors more possession

6' | The Knights defence withstands the early test, and the Knights are gifted a seven tackle set

6' | A HUGE tackle from Lachlan Fitzgibbon brings the crowd into the game. The Newcastle chant is echoing around the stadium

5' | Another Knights penalty gifts the Warriors a full set in the Knights red zone.

3' | A Knights error lets the Warriors off the hook, with a penalty compounding it soon after. Warriors attacking now.

3' | PENALTY - The Knights go on the attack after a careless Warriors penalty

2' | A great first defensive set, with the Warriors only making 25 metres. The boys look sharp early

1' | A good first set from the Knights, handing the ball over on the Warriors 30.

0' | Our 2020 Season is underway!

Saturday 2:50pm: The warm-ups are complete. The ground’s been cleared. Let’s do this!!

Saturday 2:41pm: MATCH REPORT | Catch up on all the Canterbury Cup action by clicking here, with the Knights holding on for a tight win!

Saturday 2:38pm: The warm up is on! Edrick looking focussed and ready to go 

Saturday 2:25pm: The Warriors have confirmed their squad! They will line up like this:

1 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (c), 2 Patrick Herbert, 3 David Fusitu’a, 4 Peta Hiku, 5 Ken Maumalo, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Blake Green, 8 Leeson Ah Mau, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Lachlan Burr, 11 Adam Blair, 12 Tohu Harris, 13 Isaiah Papali’I. Interchange: 14 Kodi Nikorima, 15 Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 16 Eliesa Katoa, 18 King Vuniyayawa

Saturday 2:23pm: The Cup boys have claimed a tight win here at McDonald Jones Stadium! The rain has eased and the crowd is building. Less than forty minutes to go!

FULL-TIME: Knights hold off late Warriors fight back.

74' | Try Warriors. Fullback Rocco Perry crosses in the corner, and we have a grandstand finish in the Canterbury Cup! Adam Kerighran misses the conversion. Knights 20-16 Warriors

Saturday 2:08pm: The coin toss has been run and won by the Knights! We will be receiving the ball and running left to right in the first half

Saturday 2:00pm: LATE MAIL | We’re 1-17 for todays game.

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Kurt Mann, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12. Mitch Barnett, 13. Herman Ese'ese, 14. Connor Watson, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Tim Glasby 17. Aidan Guerra

66' | Lino converts. Knights 20-12 Warriors

66' | TRY KNIGHTS! Matt Cooper finishes off a wonderful move to score! Knights 18-12 Warriors

58' | A Warriors error sends the Knights on the attack. The way this second half is playing out, a try could put the game firmly in the Knights control.

53' | NO TRY! The Warriors are denied by a double movement. Knights holding onto a two point advantage.

48' | A line drop-out puts the Knights on the attack

40' | We're back underway at McDonald Jones Stadium! Knights 14-12 Warriors

HALF-TIME | The Knights snatch the lead going into the break!

40' | TRY KNIGHTS! Jack Cameron crashes over right on the stroke of half time! Lino's conversion puts the Knights in front going into the sheds! Knights 14-12 Warriors

Saturday 1:13pm: Fitzy's here and ready to go 💪

30' | Try Warriors. Adam Tuimavave-Gerrard crashes over from close range, bulldozing Luke Sharpe on his way over. Adam Keighran converts from in front. Knights 8-12 Warriors

Saturday 1:10pm: It's Kalyn Ponga's 50th Game! The occasion will be marked on his jersey today!

27' | The Knights are awarded a penalty, with Mason Lino electing to take the two points. He calmly converts from next to the posts. Knights 8-6 Warriors.

24' | A Mason Lino error lets the Warriors off the hook

23' | Knights back on the attack now.

18' | Try Warriors. Adam Keighran swoops on a loose Knights pass to score under the posts. Knights 6-6 Warriors.

8' | A Warriors error gifts the Knights an opportunity to score their second.

5' | TRY KNIGHTS! Zac Hosking dives on a loose ball to put the Knights in front! A wonderful Mason Lino grubber in the lead up. Lino converts from close to the posts. Knights 6-0 Warriors.

2' | A Warriors error gives the Knights an early opportunity 

0’ | We’re underway in the Canterbury Cup! Knights 0-0 Warriors

Saturday 12:30pm: Gates are open and we're ten minutes away from football, follow all the Canterbury Cup action here! The Knights will line up like this:

1. Luke Sharpe, 23. Matt Cooper, 3. Tyronne Roberts-Davis, 4. Tautau Moga, 5. Matt Soper-Lawler, 6. Tex Hoy, 7. Mason Lino, 8. Josh King, 9. Chris Randall, 10. Mat Croker, 11. Jirah Momoisea, 12. Brodie Jones, 13. Zac Hosking. INTERCHANGE: 14. Luke Huth, 15. Jack Cameron, 16. Lyndon Hills, 17. John Toleafoa

Saturday 9:20am: It's Game Day! A reminder that the gates are OPEN to fans from 12:30pm, with Canterbury Cup kicking off at 12:40pm and NRL at 3pm. With the government-mandate for mass gatherings coming into effect next week, this could be your last chance to see players in the flesh for a little while. See you at McDonald Jones Stadium!

Friday 3:00pm: SQUAD REDUCTION | Adam O'Brien has made some changes to the side, with Brodie Jones and Mason Lino dropping off the extended bench. Our squad is now as follows:

1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Edrick Lee, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Kurt Mann, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12. Mitch Barnett, 13. Herman Ese'ese, 14. Connor Watson, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Tim Glasby 17. Aidan Guerra, 18. Pasami Saulo, 19. Starford To'a

Friday 3:00pm: ICYMI | The boys wrapped up their final hit out this morning at McDonald Jones Stadium, with Coach Adam O'Brien facing the media shortly after. Watch the full interview below:

Friday 3:00pm: Footy's officially back! Welcome to our official Match-Day Blog for our Round One clash with the Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium. Check back here for all the latest both today and on game day, including live scores, blow by blow updates, breaking news, squad reduction, late mail, behind the scenes clips, photos and more.