NRL 2023, New Zealand Warriors, Newcastle Knights, round 1 preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Fri 3 Mar 2023, 05:01 PM

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.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Friday 3 Mar

Full Time

Warriors

Knights

Venue: Sky Stadium, Wellington

Highlights Latest

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.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Friday 3 Mar

Full Time

Warriors

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Lachlan Miller
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya

Winger for Knights is number 2 Hymel Hunt
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Brayden Wiliame

Centre for Knights is number 3 Enari Tuala
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Warriors is number 23 Edward Kosi

Winger for Knights is number 5 Dominic Young
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire Martin

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kalyn Ponga
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett

Prop for Knights is number 10 Jacob Saifiti
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Marata Niukore

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Tohu Harris

Lock for Knights is number 13 Kurt Mann

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Phoenix Crossland
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Bunty Afoa

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Adam Elliott
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Josh Curran

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Jack Hetherington
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom Ale

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Leo Thompson

Reserves

Replacement for Warriors is number 20 Freddy Lussick

Replacement for Knights is number 18 Jack Johns

Match Officials

Referee: Chris Sutton
Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Ben Cummins

Last updated: 12/8/2023 1:10:56 AM

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.