The nib Newcastle Knights will travel across the Tasman Sea to take on the Warriors this Sunday in Auckland.
Billed as a Semi-Final rematch, the Knights will look to continue their winning ways when they face last season's finals opponent having defeated the Storm last start.
The squads are in for the showdown with all three grades set to make the trip for an action-packed day at Go Media Stadium.
WARRIORS v nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Date: Sunday 31 March
Jersey Flegg Cup kick-off: 11:30am (1:30pm NZDT)
NSW Cup kick-off: 1:20pm (3:20pm NZDT)
NRL kick-off: 4:05pm (6:05pm NZDT)
Venue: Go Media Stadium, Auckland
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 1995
Played: 49
Warriors: 24
Knights: 24
Draws: 1
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TEAMS
Match: Warriors v Knights
Round 4 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Roger Tuivasa-SheckFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakWinger for Knights is number 2 Thomas Jenkins
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco BerryCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyCentre for Knights is number 18 Dylan Lucas
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo MontoyaWinger for Knights is number 5 Enari Tuala
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke MetcalfFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Tyson Gamble
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun JohnsonHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jack Cogger
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-BlakeProp for Knights is number 8 Jacob Saifiti
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell BarnettProp for Knights is number 10 Daniel Saifiti
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu HarrisLock for Knights is number 13 Adam Elliott
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Marata NiukoreInterchange for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Bunty AfoaInterchange for Knights is number 15 Mat Croker
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Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Jazz TevagaInterchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
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Interchange for Warriors is number 21 Chanel Harris-TavitaInterchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 14 Freddy LussickReplacement for Knights is number 19 Jed Cartwright
Match Officials
- Referee: Peter Gough
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
UPDATE: In one change, Dane Gagai has withdrawn from the squad with Dylan Lucas replacing him in the centres.
For the Warriors, a change 24 hours before kick-off with Dylan Walker (ankle) again a late withdrawal, replaced on the bench by Jazz Tevaga for the second week running.
TUESDAY: Leo Thompson comes out of the squad after taking an early guilty plea for a grade 2 dangerous contact charge following the Round 3 clash against Melbourne.
The front-row forward will serve a one-game suspension.
Daniel Saifiti moves into the starting side, Jack Hetherington re-joins the bench while Brodie Jones has been named in the starting 17.
For the Warriors, Taine Tuaupiki is out with concussion while Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will play fullback. Adam Pompey comes into the centres.
On the bench, Marata Niukore is set to play his first game of the year and Dylan Walker is back in action.
OPEN TRAINING SESSION
The NRL squad will host an open training session this Saturday in Auckland.
All Knights Members and supporters in New Zealand are encouraged to come along and watch the team at their Captain's Run as they prepare to take on the Warriors on Sunday.
Plus, stick around for a quick photo or autograph after the session and meet the boys in red and blue.
KEY MATCH-UP
Addin Fonua-Blake v Jacob Saifiti: Two heavyweight and influential front-row forwards will clash on Sunday afternoon.
Saifiti will lead the pack alongside his brother Daniel against the Warriors, while the NSW Origin rep has posted 159 post-contact metres so far in 2024.
The Knights will have a battle on their hand with Fonua-Blake, who has averaged 178 run metres to start the season and scored two tries.
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FORM GUIDE
The Knights opened their account for the season last round, with a two-point win at home against the Melbourne Storm.
The red and blue held out a fast finishing Storm side to put two points on the board.
On the other side, the Warriors also won in Round 3 with a 18-10 win over Canberra.
STAT ATTACK
Coach Adam O'Brien will manage his 100th game for the Club when the side run out against the Warriors.
Kalyn Ponga is still seamless with the boot this season with a 100% conversion rate.
The winner of Sunday's match will take the outright lead between the two Clubs on the overall record.
