The Newcastle Knights finalised preparations in Auckland with a captain’s run at Mt Smart Stadium on Easter Sunday.
“We are really focused on the win this week, we are in New Zealand to get the win and nothing else,” forward Korbin Sims said.
The men in red and blue take on the Warriors on Easter Monday, with both sides chasing a first win of the season.
For the Knights, it’s about improving on a solid performance in round three that earned a point after drawing with the Canberra Raiders.
“There is a confidence boost coming out of the weekend because we played a lot better then than we did in the first two rounds,” Sims added.
“But we are moving on from there because our focus is on taking on the Warriors.
“They are going to be physical and they have got some big forwards, but we have a good pack too.”
It will be the second game for young outside back Cory Denniss, and the first NRL match in New Zealand for the likes of Jacob Saifiti and Pat Mata’utia. Sims only had praise for the young players who have stepped up this season.
“The younger lads have handled it all really well, they are taking on their role in the team and we are moving forward as a Club,” he said.
The Knights traveled with an 18-man squad to Auckland but Sims was leaving any last minute team news to the coach.
“That is why Brownie is the coach and why I stick to hitting the ball up,” he said with a smile.
The final 17 will be confirmed one hour before kick off on Monday afternoon.
