Knights v Warriors: Phoenix rises to No.6; Harris ruled out
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.
Match: Knights v Warriors
Round 6 -
home Team
Knights
5th Position
away Team
Warriors
4th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
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.
Match: Knights v Warriors
Round 6 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Warriors
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Lachlan MillerFullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Warriors is number 2 Edward Kosi
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Warriors is number 3 Viliami Vailea
-
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman BestCentre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Phoenix CrosslandFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire Martin
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson HastingsHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel SaifitiProp for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden BraileyHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo ThompsonProp for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon2nd Row for Warriors is number 15 Josh Curran
-
Lock for Knights is number 16 Mat CrokerLock for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 13 Jack JohnsInterchange for Warriors is number 12 Bayley Sironen
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt MannInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jack HetheringtonInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom Ale
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie JonesInterchange for Warriors is number 20 Taine Tuaupiki
Reserves
-
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:
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.
