The Warriors are set to play their first game in Wellington since round 18, 2019 when a Blake Green field goal gave them a 19-18 win over the Sharks.
After a long stint away from home due to the COVID pandemic, the Warriors can expect huge support at Sky Stadium on Friday night and then at Mt Smart for clashes against the Bulldogs (round 4), Cowboys (round 7) and Roosters (round 9).
With new coach Andrew Webster at the helm and a number of key signings, the Warriors will look to hit the ground running as they look to return to the finals for the first time since 2018.
The Knights have plenty of experience coming on board through Adam Elliott and Jackson Hastings, while Kalyn Ponga moves closer to the action at five-eighth and his combination with former Tiger Hastings will be critical to Newcastle's chances of climbing the ladder from 14th last year.
One thing the Knights have done well in recent times is start fast, having won their past five Round 1 games, against the Roosters in 2022, Bulldogs in 2021, Warriors in 2020, Sharks in 2019 and Sea Eagles in 2018.
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Team News
Warriors: No late changes on game day after Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was dropped from the squad on Thursday due to a calf injury and his place on the wing was taken by Edward Kosi. New recruits Marata Niukore, Dylan Walker, Mitch Barnett, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad and Te Maire Martin headline a new-look Warriors team. Centre Brayden Wiliame has been named to play his first NRL game since round 18, 2021 following a stint in French rugby. Former Dragon Jackson Ford makes his club debut in the back row and Freddy Lussick is the reserve.
Knights: The Knights are 1-17 with no late changes an hour before kick-off. Dane Gagai (hamstring) is another week away so Enari Tuala slots into the centres in his return from a pectoral injury which kept him out of the Pre-Season Challenge. Superstar Kalyn Ponga steps out in the No.6 at NRL level for the first time since round 3, 2019. Ponga teams with new recruit Jackson Hastings in the halves and Lachlan Miller makes his club debut at fullback. Adam Elliott (ankle) and Jack Hetherington (shoulder) are good to go on the bench. Phoenix Crossland has grabbed the No.14 role while Jack Johns is 18th man.
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Stat Attack
- The Knights have won only two of their past 14 games in New Zealand.
- Warriors winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has scored eight tries in his past 10 games against the Knights.
- The Knights won their first two matches in 2022 and the Warriors lost their first two.
- The Warriors (70) and Knights (70) were 13th and 14th on the tryscoring list in 2022, well behind big guns Melbourne (121), Parramatta (120) and Souths (120).
- This will be the first time in 25 years and just the third time in their history that the Warriors have opened an NRL campaign on a Friday night.