The Warriors are taking their game to Christchurch this round and will be hoping to build on on their upset win over the Broncos when they host the Knights.
Without a number of their big stars, the Warriors fought to the end to claim the golden point win after halfback Luke Metcalf stepped up to slot a 50 metre penalty goal to secure their fourth win of the season.
The Knights however posted their fourth straight loss after going down at home to the Sharks and need to find some spark and resilience to halt their slide.
It will be a tough ask for Adam O'Brien's men however to defy their recent history, with the visitors having only won two of their past 17 matches played in Aotearoa.
Match: Warriors v Knights
Round 8 -
home Team
Warriors
4th Position
away Team
Knights
15th Position
Venue: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Team News
Warriors: The Warriors have shuffled their forward pack in Friday's final team update, with Marata Niukore shifting from back row to prop. Leka Halasima comes into the side in the second row, with Jackson Ford moving to the bench. Tanah Boyd remains in the squad as 18th man. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad has been cleared to make his return from a concussion for Friday's Anzac Day blockbuster in Christchurch. Taine Tuaupiki will line up on the wing, with Ed Kosi dropping out. Kurt Capewell is set to return to his preferred back row slot, with Rocco Berry back from suspension in the centres.
Knights: One change on gameday, with hookers Jayden Brailey and Phoenix Crossland trading places, Brailey to start at dummy-half and Crossland on the interchange. Halfback Tyson Gamble dropped out of the side on Thursday due to a broken nose suffered against the Sharks. Gamble has had surgery and remained in Newcastle to recover. His place is taken by Jack Cogger, who is back after undergoing surgery for a dislocated finger suffered in the Round 5 loss to Canterbury. Rising back-rower Dylan Lucas (hamstring) is back on deck so Thomas Cant moves to the bench. Matthew Arthur is the 18th man.
Match: Warriors v Knights
Round 8 -
home Team
Warriors
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Taine TuaupikiWinger for Knights is number 2 James Schiller
-
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Rocco BerryCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
-
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Ali LeiatauaCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
-
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Adam PompeyWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
-
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
-
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Luke MetcalfHalfback for Knights is number 20 Jack Cogger
Forwards
-
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell BarnettProp for Knights is number 8 Tyson Frizell
-
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Knights is number 14 Jayden Brailey
-
Prop for Warriors is number 12 Marata NiukoreProp for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas
-
2nd Row for Warriors is number 14 Leka Halasima2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Kai Pearce-Paul
-
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker
Interchange
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 8 Jackson FordInterchange for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty AfoaInterchange for Knights is number 15 Tyrone Thompson
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Knights is number 16 Thomas Cant
-
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Jacob LabanInterchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
Reserves
-
Replacement for Warriors is number 20 Tanah BoydReplacement for Knights is number 21 Matthew Arthur
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Warriors have won four of their past six games in Christchurch.
- The Knights have won only two of their last 17 games played in New Zealand.
- Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf and rookie Leka Halasima have scored tries in three consecutive games.
- The Knights have been outscored 100-24 in their past four games.
- Warriors centre Adam Pompey has scored six tries in eight games against the Knights.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
