Warriors v Knights
Kickoff: 8pm Friday, 25 April
Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
History
After 51 previous meetings, these two rivals are split dead down the middle, with 25 wins each and a solitary draw.
The Warriors enjoy a 17-10 advantage at home, but have never met the Knights at Christchurch. They have hosted Newcastle three times away from Mt Smart - at Tamworth, Gosford and Redcliffe during their Covid internment, and Wellington's Sky Stadium in 2023 - winning two and losing two.
Significantly, the Warriors were playing the Knights in Newcastle on 14 March, 2020, when the NZ Government announced it was closing the borders, due to the oncoming pandemic.
Newcastle have won six of the last 10 encounters, including their only meeting last season, when they prevailed 14-6 at McDonald Jones Stadium. Eight Warriors players return for this year's match-up - Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Rocco Berry, Wayde Egan, Mitch Barnett, Jackson Ford, Kurt Capewell, Bunty Afoa and Adam Pompey.
In 2023, the Warriors defeat the Knights 40-10 in the NRL semi-finals at Go Media Stadium, before falling to Brisbane in the preliminary final.
Form
After a discouraging defeat to Melbourne Storm two weeks ago, the Warriors bounced back with a nailbiting Gold Point win over the Broncos last Saturday, with halfback Luke Metcalf kicking a penalty from halfway, when Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh sent the opening kickoff of extra time dead.
The Auckland side currently sit fourth on the competition table, with four wins and two losses, but won't return to Mt Smart for another month, with consecutive 'home' games at Christchurch and Brisbane (Magic Round), before two games at Sydney and then another bye.
Newcastle began their 2025 season strongly with two wins over Wests Tigers and the Dolphins, but their form has tailed off over the past month, with four straight losses and just 24 points scored. Their defeats have been by an average margin of 19 points.
While the Warriors lead the competition with an 82 percent completion rate, Newcastle are worst in the category with just 70 percent.
Kurt Capewell will return to the second row, after his star turn in the centres. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Teams
Warriors: 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Taine Tuaupiki, 3 Rocco Berry, 4 Ali Leiataua, 5 Adam Pompey, 6 Chanel Harris- Tavita, 7 Luke Metcalf, 8 Jackson Ford, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Mitch Barnett (c), 11 Kurt Capewell, 12, Marata Niukore, 13 Erin Clark
Interchange: 14 Leka Halasima, 15 Bunty Afoa, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Jacob Laban
Reserves: 20 Tanah Boyd, 23 Ed Kosi
With the return of fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad from concussion protocols and Rocco Berry from suspension, coach Andrew Webster has resorted to roughly a status quo line-up, with Taine Tuaupiki returning to the wing, Kurt Capewell back to the second row and Leka Halasima back to the bench.
That said, Webster has hinted he may yet reshuffle his extended squad before kickoff, so stay tuned.
With James Fisher-Harris out, Jackson Ford remains in the front row and brings up his 50th game for the club, while Jacob Laban has completed his comeback from injury and retains his spot in the interchange.
Knights: 1 Kalyn Ponga, 2 James Schiller, 3 Dane Gagai, 4 Bradman Best, 5 Greg Marzhew, 6 Fletcher Sharpe, 20 Jack Cogger, 8 Tyson Frizell, 9 Phoenix Crossland, 10 Leo Thompson, 11 Dylan Lucas, 12, Kai Pearce-Paul, 13 Mat Croker
Interchange: 14 Jayden Brailey, 15 Tyrone Thompson, 16 Thomas Cant, 17 Brodie Jones
Reserves: 18 Kyle McCarthy, 21 Matthew Arthur
Coach Adam O'Brien has named Kiwis hooker Phoenix Crossland, who left the field during the first half of last week's loss to Cronulla Sharks with an ankle injury. He may yet drop out, while second-rower Dylan Lucas returns from a hamstring injury.
Twenty-four hours out from kickoff, O'Brien was forced into another change, when halfback Tyson Gamble succumbed to a broken nose suffered against the Sharks. He was replaced by Jack Cogger, who was returning from injury.
Player to watch
As the highest-paid player in the NRL, fullback Kalyn Ponga carries so much expectation on his shoulders, but has not delivered on that promise, leading the competition in handling errors so far this season.
With Māori heritage and several childhood years spent in Palmerston North, Ponga has close ties to New Zealand and rumours suggest he may yet find his way into a Warriors jersey, although on current form, he might struggle edge out any of the club's three leading candidates for the No.1 jersey.
He's dangerous and you'd think it's only a matter of time before he regains his mojo.
Kiwis to watch
The Warriors will see double, with Kiwi twins Leo and Tyrone Thompson, 24, both named in a potential matchday squad.
Leo is already established in the NRL and made his NZ debut in 2023, while Tyrone is a former Māori All Blacks and Chiefs hooker, but switched codes this year to join his brother - briefly - at the Knights. He has taken the field from the bench in the past two games, logging 48 minutes total.
They should make the most of their time together, with Leo already committed to Canterbury Bulldogs from next season.
TAB Odds
Warriors $1.32, Knights $3.45
What will happen
Neither side have hit their straps yet this season, but the Warriors will have vociferous support from a packed-out Apollo Projects Stadium and are a lot closer to finding a complete performance than their opponents. Warriors by 13-plus.
Where to watch
Sky Sport 2, 7pm Friday
