Defend the Kingdom: NRL Round 5 preview

Author: Newcastle Knights
Timestamp: Wed 5 Apr 2023, 05:05 PM

The nib Newcastle Knights are back at home this Sunday for another big day of rugby league at McDonald Jones Stadium.

With all three men's senior grades to play on the same day, our NRL team will look to complete the fixtures with a second consecutive win on home turf.

They will take on a fierce Warriors outfit who sit second on the ladder with four victories from their opening games.

nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v WARRIORS

Date: Sunday, April 9th

Kick-off: 6:15pm

Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

The match will be shown live on Fox League and Kayo Sports

GAME DAY INFORMATION

Game Day Itinerary

Gates/Fan Zone open: 1:30pm

Jersey Flegg kick-off: 1:45pm

NSW Cup: 3:45pm

NRL kick-off: 6.15pm

Merchandise: Show your colours

Tickets: Purchase here

50-50 Charity Partner: Lifeline

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Since: 1995

Knights: 23

Warriors: 23

Draws: 1

TEAMS

Round 6 - Round 6 - Sunday 9 Apr

Full Time

Knights

Warriors

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Lachlan Miller

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad
Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young

Winger for Warriors is number 2 Edward Kosi
Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai

Centre for Warriors is number 3 Viliami Vailea
Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best

Centre for Warriors is number 4 Adam Pompey
Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew

Winger for Warriors is number 5 Marcelo Montoya
Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Phoenix Crossland

Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Te Maire Martin
Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jackson Hastings

Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Shaun Johnson

Forwards

Prop for Knights is number 8 Daniel Saifiti

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake
Hooker for Knights is number 9 Jayden Brailey

Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan
Prop for Knights is number 10 Leo Thompson

Prop for Warriors is number 10 Bunty Afoa
2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Tyson Frizell

2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Jackson Ford
2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Lachlan Fitzgibbon

2nd Row for Warriors is number 15 Josh Curran
Lock for Knights is number 16 Mat Croker

Lock for Warriors is number 16 Jazz Tevaga

Interchange

Interchange for Knights is number 13 Jack Johns

Interchange for Warriors is number 12 Bayley Sironen
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Kurt Mann

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Dylan Walker
Interchange for Knights is number 15 Jack Hetherington

Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Tom Ale
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Brodie Jones

Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Taine Tuaupiki

Reserves

Replacement for Knights is number 19 Dylan Lucas

Replacement for Warriors is number 23 Demitric Sifakula

Match Officials

Referee: Liam Kennedy
Touch Judge: Drew Oultram
Senior Review Official: Adam Gee

Last updated: 9/7/2024 12:26:07 PM

TEAM NEWS

UPDATE: There were no changes to our Knights team on the 24 hour update.

For the away side, a change on Saturday with Tohu Harris (knee) dropping out.

Jazz Tevaga moves into the starting side and Taine Tuaupiki joins the bench. Te Maire Martin (head knock) has been named to return. Bayley Sironen will start in place of the suspended Marata Niukore.

Veteran outside back Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has recovered from a calf injury he suffered in the Pre-Season Challenge match against Melbourne and is listed as 18th man.

TUESDAY: Knights Head Coach, Adam O'Brien, named his 22-man squad for our Easter Sunday battle against the Warriors.

Phoenix Crossland continues to show his versatility by being named to start at five-eighth, replacing Tyson Gamble, who will miss the clash due to concussion protocols.

Lock forward Kurt Mann returns to the interchange bench after missing the Manly clash in Mudgee, as part of the same concussion requirements.

For the Warriors, Te Maire Martin (head knock) and Tohu Harris (knee) have both been named to return in a double boost for the Warriors.

Harris' return pushes Jazz Tevaga to the bench while Bayley Sironen will start in place of the suspended Marata Niukore.

Veteran outside back Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been added to the squad having recovered from a calf injury he suffered in the Pre-Season Challenge match against Melbourne in February.

FORM GUIDE

The Knights currently sit in 11th on the ladder after five rounds, with two wins, two defeats and one draw.

Last round, the red and blue played out an incredible 32-all draw against the Sea Eagles in Mudgee.

Brailey on backing up from Manly clash

Meanwhile, the Warriors have started fast with four wins from the opening five rounds.

New Zealand staged a comeback against the Sharks last round to win 32-30.

KEY MATCH-UP

Jackson Hastings v Shaun Johnson: The battle of the No.7's will play a massive role in the result come Sunday's game.

Hastings has taken to his new surroundings in Newcastle playing in each game to start the season, plus played an influential role in the draw against the Sea Eagles.

Our No.7 leads the NRL in line-break involvements and sits fourth in the competition for total kick metres.

On the opposing side, Johnson has led the way for the Warriors in the opening rounds leading the NRL for kicks combined with 14 Dally M points.