Warriors v Knights: Leka, DWZ in mix; Lucas nears return
The Warriors are sure to be smarting after giving up a 16-8 lead with 20 minutes to play against the Dolphins to consign themselves to a sudden-death showdown with the Knights at Eden Park.
All looked to be going to plan for Andrew Webster's men until Herbie Farnworth and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow clicked into gear and turned Go Media Stadium into their own personal playground.
They must now regroup for a contest against a Knights team capable of scintillating attack on its day with Kalyn Ponga, Bradman and Fletcher Sharpe laying the foundation for prolific wingers Dom Young and Greg Marzhew to strike.
The last time the sides met in Round 26 the points flowed freely in a 46-32 Warriors victory but in the pressure cooker atmosphere of a 'loser goes home' final, expect a much tighter battle.
Awaiting the winner are the Penrith Panthers, the greatest team of the modern era, and the perfect measuring stick for two clubs looking to break premiership droughts that stretch back 31 years (Warriors) and 25 years (Knights).
Match: Warriors v Knights
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Warriors
2nd Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Warriors: A cruel blow for Jackson Ford who played just 24 minutes against the Dolphins in his return from a pectoral injury and is now sidelined again with an ankle injury. His place on the bench is taken by Morgan Gannon. After being a late withdrawal last week with a hamstring twinge suffered in the warm-up, Leka Halasima is listed among the reserves. Also named in the extended squad is winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, who has been sidelined since Round 25 when he suffered a broken collarbone against Souths.
Knights: Gun back-rower Dylan Lucas has been sidelined since Round 21 with a fractured ankle suffered against the Roosters but he has been named among the reserves as he makes a late bid to get back on the paddock in 2026. The Knights have named the same 19-man squad that took care of the Rabbitohs in last week's elimination final.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine TuaupikiFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
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Winger for Warriors is number 2 Charnze Nicoll-KlokstadWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
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Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali LeiatauaCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam PompeyCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
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Winger for Warriors is number 5 Alofiana Khan-PereiraWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
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Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-TavitaFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
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Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire MartinHalfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon Smith
Forwards
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Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-HarrisProp for Knights is number 8 Tyson Frizell
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Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde EganHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
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Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell BarnettProp for Knights is number 10 Cody Hopwood
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen
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2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Francis Manuleleua
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Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin ClarkLock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker
Interchange
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Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam HealeyInterchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison Graham
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Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tanner Stowers-SmithInterchange for Knights is number 15 Lachlan Crouch
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Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric VaimaugaInterchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo
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Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Eddie Ieremia-ToeavaInterchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas Cant
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Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Jett ClearyInterchange for Knights is number 18 Fletcher Hunt
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Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Morgan GannonInterchange for Knights is number 19 Toby Winter
Reserves
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Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Makaia TafuaReserve for Knights is number 20 Kyle McCarthy
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Reserve for Warriors is number 22 Leka HalasimaReserve for Knights is number 21 Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
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Reserve for Warriors is number 23 Dallin Watene-ZelezniakReserve for Knights is number 22 Dylan Lucas
Warriors Ins
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak
- Leka Halasima
- Makaia Tafua
- Morgan Gannon
Knights Ins
- Dylan Lucas
- Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
- Kyle McCarthy
Warriors Outs
- Jackson Ford
Knights Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Warriors have won six of their last seven games against the Knights.
- The Knights have not won in New Zealand since 2019.
- The Warriors have lost five of their six games played at Eden Park.
- Knights winger Greg Marzhew requires one try to equal the club’s record for most tries in a season.
- The Warriors require two tries and five points to break club records for most tries and points in a season.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
