Knights v Warriors: Halves looking Sharpe; Hanson to debut
Two of the competition's undefeated teams go head-to-head, but injury has robbed this encounter between the Knights and Warriors of some of it's spark.
Newcastle fullback and captain Kalyn Ponga is set to miss 6-8 weeks with a hamstring injury, while star half Dylan Brown faces a month on the sideline with a MCL strain.
However, the side overcame those setbacks last week to defeat the Sea Eagles and coach Justin Holbrook will be hoping his side can summon that save resolve in their next challenge against the Warriors.
With strong performances from some of their unheralded lights like halfback Tanah Boyd and prop Jackson Ford - who is leading the Dally M tally - to lead them, the Warriors are sitting second on the ladder.
Last week, they defied the odds following the loss pre-game of Kurt Capewell and Chanel Harris-Tavita early in the match to put on a clinic against the Raiders.
In their first journey away from home this season, Andrew Webster's men will be aiming to keep their momentum
Match: Knights v Warriors
Round 3 -
home Team
Knights
4th Position
away Team
Warriors
2nd Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Knights: Fletcher Sharpe is back from a knee injury suffered in Las Vegas to take over at five-eighth from Dylan Brown, who is facing a month out with a knee injury. Sandon Smith moves to halfback. Fletcher Hunt is the new fullback with skipper Kalyn Ponga gone for 6-8 weeks with a hamstring injury. Veteran prop Jacob Saifiti takes over as skipper. Francis Manuleleua and Thomas Cant are the No.14 and No.17 and hoping to get a shot this weekend after the injury reshuffle left them sidelined at 4 Pines Park.
Warriors: Coach Andrew Webster has been forced into a number of changes with Kurt Capewell nursing a calf injury and Chanel Harris-Tavita and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad entering the concussion protocols. Taine Tuaupiki is the new fullback while Luke Hanson makes his NRL debut at five-eighth and Marata Niukore joins the bench having overcome a calf injury. Rep forward Mitch Barnett has been named in the extended squad as he nears a return from an ACL injury.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Fletcher HuntFullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Warriors is number 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua
-
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 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
-
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher SharpeFive-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Luke Hanson
-
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon SmithHalfback for Warriors is number 7 Tanah Boyd
Forwards
-
Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiProp for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris
-
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
-
Prop for Knights is number 10 Trey MooneyProp for Warriors is number 10 Jackson Ford
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Leka Halasima
-
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jermaine McEwen2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban
-
Lock for Knights is number 13 Tyson FrizellLock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Thomas CantInterchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam Healey
-
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Mat CrokerInterchange for Warriors is number 15 Demitric Vaimauga
-
Interchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami SauloInterchange for Warriors is number 16 Tanner Stowers-Smith
-
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Francis ManuleleuaInterchange for Warriors is number 17 Marata Niukore
-
Interchange for Knights is number 18 Tyson GambleInterchange for Warriors is number 18 Morgan Gannon
-
Interchange for Knights is number 19 Harrison Graham
Reserves
-
Reserve for Knights is number 20 Elijah Salesa-LeaumoanaReserve for Warriors is number 20 Alofiana Khan-Pereira
-
Reserve for Knights is number 21 Cody HopwoodReserve for Warriors is number 21 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava
-
Reserve for Knights is number 22 James SchillerReserve for Warriors is number 22 Jett Cleary
-
Reserve for Warriors is number 23 Mitchell Barnett
Knights Ins
- Cody Hopwood
- Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
- Fletcher Sharpe
- James Schiller
- Tyson Gamble
Warriors Ins
- Alofiana Khan-Pereira
- Jett Cleary
- Luke Hanson
- Marata Niukore
- Mitchell Barnett
Knights Outs
- Dylan Brown
- Kalyn Ponga
Warriors Ins
- Chanel Harris-Tavita
- Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Match Officials
- Referee: Liam Kennedy
- Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Adam Gee
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Knights have won only one of their past five games against the Warriors.
- The Warriors have scored the most points in their history after two rounds.
- The Knights have lost their last six games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
- Warriors prop Jackson Ford will make his 100th NRL appearance.
- Knights five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe has scored 13 tries in 11 games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
