Warriors v Raiders
Kickoff: 6:05pm, Sunday 31 March
Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
After grinding out a much-needed win over the Canberra Raiders in Christchurch, the Warriors will be riding into this week's match on a high. Not only are the team's combinations beginning to form and show a solid foundation, but this week they also welcome back some of their finest talent returning from injury with Wayde Egan, Marata Niukore and Dylan Walker all named to be in the side.
It's only been two weeks, but it already feels like a long-awaited return to the fortress of Mt Smart Stadium in what's sure to be a packed house on Easter Sunday. But before the Warriors get ahead of themselves, they will have a hard task taking on the resurgent Newcastle Knights whose season looks very familiar: a clunky first week loss to Canberra, a nail-biting golden point loss to the top of the table Cowboys and a gutsy victory over the Storm last Sunday night.
Here's a look at the teams:
Warriors: 1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Tohu Harris (c)
Interchange: 14. Freddy Lussick 15. Marata Niukore 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Dylan Walker
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga (c) 2. Thomas Jenkins 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Adam Elliot
Interchange: 14. Jayden Brailey 15. Mat Croker 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Brodie Jones
Warriors selections
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck try. Photo: NRL Photos / www.photosport.nz
With Taine Tuapiki out with concussion, the story of the week is Roger Tuivasa-Sheck finding himself back at fullback. It's the position he won the 2019 Dally M Player of the year in. The Warriors also celebrate the much-awaited return of hooker Wayde Egan. The in-form Dylan Walker who missed last week as well as the return of absolute powerhouse second rower Marata Niukore - both bringing plenty of impact and shape to the Warriors pack off the bench.
Knights selections
Jack Cogger of the Knights with the ball. Photo: Scott Gardiner
After absolutely copping it with what was labelled an irrational decision by most, Adam O'Brien's decision to drop halfback Jack Hastings to NSW Cup after only two rounds which infamously saw Hastings abruptly leave training last week created a lot of noise. Suddenly it felt like there was trouble in the water at Newcastle, but the decision to back rookie Jack Cogger ended up being a stroke of genius as the Knights toppled powerhouse Melbourne Storm 14 - 12 last Sunday. Leo Thompson's one game ban after he pleaded guilty to a grade 2 dangerous contact charge at the judiciary this week sees Daniel Saifiti promoted off the bench with Brodie Jones earning a first grade call up.
2023 Results
Warriors 20 - 12 Knights
Warriors 24 - 34 Knights
Warriors 40 - 10 Knights (Finals week two)
The Warriors opened their emphatic 2023 campaign with a gutsy win over the Knights, in what was a back and forth match the deal was sealed when Egan darted out of dummy half and crossed the line late. The return match in Newcastle a month later was played out very much in the same vein, but this time the men from Steel City walked away with a 10-point win.
Famously, the second round of the playoffs saw The Warriors face the Knights one last time in what was the first game of finals football on New Zealand shores since 2008. In what became one of the most famous afternoons in Mt Smart history and maybe the most complete Warriors performances in modern history, the home side absolutely pumped a red hot Knights side with a 40 - 10 score line to make it through to the preliminary final.
Prediction
This game won't be an easy victory for either side, with both coming off the back of brutal games still and desperately searching for a second win. Seeing as the Warriors are pulling home field advantage alongside a massive boost with the return of three key players to the side, they should be coming up trumps against the Knights if they manage to keep a lid on handling errors and simple mistakes. A loss for either team will really start to raise questions, with the loser of this matchup being left with a 1-3 record to start the season.