Newcastle returns home to McDonald Jones Stadium for the third time this season for a rematch against the One New Zealand Warriors after the sides met in round one in Wellington.
The Warriors managed a narrow win in the season opener but it wasn't without a scare as the Knights went close to snatching victory late.
The visitors have won four of their first five games - one of their best starts to a season - while the Knights have had two wins, a draw and two losses. Success today would give the Warriors a fourth straight win.
It is clear that there has been a change in attitude from both clubs in 2023, however, with Warriors coach Andrew Webster showing some good signs early while Adam O'Brien has found some steel from his side.
The Warriors hold a 23-21 head-to-head lead over the Knights overall, a statistic that the home side will want to keep close and get some revenge for the result in the season opener.
Match: Knights v Warriors
Round 6 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Knights is number 1 Lachlan MillerFullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Warriors is number 2 Edward Kosi
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Warriors is number 3 Viliami Vailea
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Phoenix CrosslandFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire Martin
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson HastingsHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel SaifitiProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden BraileyHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon2nd Row for Warriors is number 15 Josh Curran
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Lock for Knights is number 16 Mat CrokerLock for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 13 Jack JohnsInterchange for Warriors is number 12 Bayley Sironen
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt MannInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom Ale
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie JonesInterchange for Warriors is number 20 Taine Tuaupiki
Reserves
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Replacement for Knights is number 19 Dylan LucasReplacement for Warriors is number 23 Demitric Sifakula
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Team News
Knights: Tyson Gamble is subject to compulsory concussion stand down requirements so Adam O'Brien has turned to Phoenix Crossland to partner Jackson Hastings in the halves. Lock Kurt Mann returns on the bench after missing round five due to concussion. Mat Croker (ribs) is good to go. No changes in Saturday's 24-hour update.
One New Zealand Warriors: A change on Saturday with Tohu Harris (knee) dropping out. Harris did not travel to Australia with the team. Jazz Tevaga moves into the starting side and Taine Tuaupiki joins the bench. Te Maire Martin (head knock) has been named to return. Bayley Sironen will start in place of the suspended Marata Niukore. Veteran outside back Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has recovered from a calf injury he suffered in the Pre-Season Challenge match against Melbourne and is listed as 18th man.
Stat attack
- The Knights have won three of their past four games against the Warriors.
- The Warriors have not defeated the Knights twice in a season since 2016.
- Knights winger Dominic Young has scored six tries in his past three games.
- Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson requires three points for 1,000 points for the club.
- The Knights have won only two of their past 13 games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
