Warriors v Knights: Griffiths pulls back switch; Karpani to start
The Warriors and Knights clash should be high-quality and thoroughly entertaining.
Both sides are well in the finals conversation, with Newcastle sitting fourth and the Warriors fifth heading into the round.
Newcastle arrive buoyed by a convincing 32-12 win over Parramatta in Magic Round. The Knights showcased the attacking flair and defensive discipline.
The Warriors suffered a narrow two-point loss to the Titans, a result that highlighted both their competitiveness and the fine margins that exist among the competition's leading teams.
Home-ground advantage in Hamilton could prove significant. The Warriors have generally looked their best when playing in New Zealand, particularly when their powerful forward pack establishes early dominance.
Expect a fast, physical encounter with genuine finals implications.
Match: Warriors v Knights
Round 6 -
home Team
Warriors
5th Position
away Team
Knights
4th Position
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Warriors: Outside backs Stacey Waaka and Tysha Ikenasio have traded places, with Waaka moving to centre and Ikenasio to the wing. One other change to the 17 that fell to the Titans last week, with Mya Hill-Moana named on the interchange. A couple of big names are waiting in the wings, however, with hooker Jasmin Huriwai, prop Annetta-Claudia Nuuausala and outside back Lavinia Tauhalaliku all named in the reserves as they look to return to the field.
Knights: A suspension for Tayla Predebon has seen Simone Karpani shift from the bench to start at prop, while Fane Finau is also straight back into the starting side after missing last week's win over the Eels. Amelia Pasikala moves to the interchange as a result.
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Apii NichollsFullback for Knights is number 1 Lucy Spain
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Tysha IkenasioWinger for Knights is number 2 Shanice Parker
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Mele HufangaCentre for Knights is number 3 Sidney Taylor
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Stacey WaakaCentre for Knights is number 4 Tenika Willison
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Payton TakimoanaWinger for Knights is number 5 Mercedez Taulelei-Siala
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Emmanita PakiFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kirra Dibb
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Gayle BroughtonHalfback for Knights is number 7 Georgia Roche
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 Maarire PuketapuProp for Knights is number 8 Simone Karpani
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Patricia MaliepoHooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Metanoia FetalaigaProp for Knights is number 10 Tiana Davison
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Shakira Baker2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Fane Finau
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jules Kirkpatrick
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Kaiyah AtaiLock for Knights is number 13 Kayla Romaniuk
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Capri PaekauInterchange for Knights is number 14 Botille Vette-Welsh
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Harata ButlerInterchange for Knights is number 15 Sienna Yeo
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Ivana LauitiitiInterchange for Knights is number 16 Amelia Pasikala
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Mya Hill-MoanaInterchange for Knights is number 17 Grace Giampino
Reserves
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Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Ashlee MatapoReplacement for Knights is number 18 Cheyelle Robins-Reti
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Reserve for Warriors is number 19 Jasmin HuriwaiReserve for Knights is number 19 Stella Lewis
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Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Lavinia TauhalalikuReserve for Knights is number 20 Nakia Davis-Welsh
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Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Annetta NuuausalaReserve for Knights is number 21 Joeli Morris
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Reserve for Warriors is number 22 Natalia HicklingReserve for Knights is number 22 Emily McArthur
Warriors Ins
- Annetta Nuuausala
- Jasmin Huriwai
- Lavinia Tauhalaliku
- Mya Hill-Moana
Knights Ins
- Emily McArthur
- Fane Finau
- Joeli Morris
- Nakia Davis-Welsh
- Stella Lewis
Warriors Outs
Knights Ins
- Tayla Predebon
Match Officials
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Gerard Sutton
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Warriors have won only one of their four games in Hamilton
- The Knights will play in New Zealand for the first time
- The Warriors have scored 74 points in back-to-back wins in New Zealand
- Knights winger Mercedez Taulelei-Siala has scored five tries in six NRLW appearances
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
Don't miss your chance to see the Warriors in their return to Hamilton. Kids tickets are available from just $10, click here to secure your seats before they sell out.
