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Newcastle returns home to McDonald Jones Stadium for the third time this season for a rematch against the Warriors after the sides met in Round 1 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. 

Both sides have had a mixed start to the year since - the Warriors winning four of their first five games while the Knights have won two and drawn once.

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.

Team News

Knights: A late change for the home side with Mat Croker coming into the starting side at lock, pushing Jack Johns to the interchange. Kurt Mann returns on the bench after missing Round 5 due to concussion and will play. Dylan Lucas is 18th man.

Warriors: Jazz Tevaga will start at lock with Tohu Harris (knee) dropping out while Josh Curran will also come into the back row with Bayley Sironen reverting back to the bench. Taine Tuaupiki joins the interchange alongside Dylan Walker and Tom Ale. Te Maire Martin (head knock) is good to go with Demitric Sifakula 18th man. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (calf) made a successful return via NSW Cup.

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Knights is number 1 Lachlan Miller
    Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 
  • Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
    Winger for Warriors is number 2 Edward Kosi
  • Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
    Centre for Warriors is number 3 Viliami Vailea
  • Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
    Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
  • Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
    Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
  • Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Phoenix Crossland
    Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire Martin
  • Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings
    Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

  • Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
    Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin  Fonua-Blake
  • Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
    Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
  • Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson
    Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
  • 2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
    2nd Row for Warriors is number 15 Josh Curran
  • Lock for Knights is number 16 Mat Croker
    Lock for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga

Interchange

  • Interchange for Knights is number 13 Jack Johns
    Interchange for Warriors is number 12 Bayley Sironen
  • Interchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt Mann
    Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
  • Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jack Hetherington
    Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom Ale
  • Interchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones
    Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Taine Tuaupiki

Reserves

  • Replacement for Knights is number 19 Dylan Lucas
    Replacement for Warriors is number 23 Demitric Sifakula

Match Officials

  • Referee: Liam Kennedy
  • Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
  • Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated:

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 .

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.